A Comprehensive Guide to Planning a Baby Shower: Venues, Guests, Registries & More
Baby Shower Planning Made Simple
Planning a baby shower can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you know where to start. Whether you're organizing it for a friend, family member, or yourself, this guide walks through everything you need to consider—from venues and guest lists to games, decor, and registry tips.
1. Choosing a Venue
Baby showers can be hosted at home, in a backyard, at a park, or a reserved private room in a restaurant or hotel. If you're working with a venue like a hotel or fine-dining restaurant, schedule a planning meeting with the event manager to discuss menu options, table layout, cake policies, and any personal touches you’d like to include. Some hosts even opt to hire a private chef or catering team for a more intimate gathering.
2. Creating the Guest List
The guest list is typically made by the host, but always in close coordination with the guest of honor (the parent or parents-to-be). They’ll know best who should be included. Long-distance friends and family can be invited virtually using Zoom or FaceTime—just be sure to designate someone to manage the video call and coordinate timing. A toast or welcome moment at the beginning is often the best time to include virtual guests.
3. Traditional vs. Co-Ed Showers
Traditional baby showers usually include women only, but co-ed (or “Jack and Jill”) showers are increasingly common—especially in urban areas and among younger parents. While there’s no hard data by region, co-ed showers are more popular on the West Coast and Northeast, while traditional formats remain strong in the South and Midwest.
4. Selecting a Registry
Popular baby registry platforms include:
- Babylist – Lets you register items from multiple stores
- Target Baby Registry
- Walmart Baby Registry
- Pottery Barn Kids
And of course, we recommend adding The Baby Blanket Store to your list for unique organic cotton blankets, premium baby gift baskets, and a large selection of hand-crocheted stuffed animals and loveys.
5. Where to Shop for Baby Shower Gifts
Big-box stores and online marketplaces are convenient, but boutique shops offer curated, high-quality items that are often safer, softer, and more thoughtful. Stores like The Baby
Blanket Store provide:
- Exclusive bundle deals
- Non-toxic, safe toys
- The softest organic cotton blankets
- Hand-curated gift baskets for baby showers
6. Baby Shower Menus
If you're planning the event at a venue, the meal will likely be handled in-house. For DIY gatherings, sites like Delish and Food Network offer excellent baby shower menu ideas. From finger sandwiches and fruit kabobs to mocktails and cupcakes, there are plenty of creative, photo-worthy dishes.
7. Decorations & Party Supplies
Some popular places to shop include:
8. Games, Music & Entertainment
Classics like Baby Bingo and “Guess the Baby Food” still show up, but co-ed or modern showers might enjoy trivia, diaper pong, or “Guess Who Wrote It” — where guests write parenting messages anonymously, and others guess who wrote each one. You can find ready-to-go game kits at Party City or Paper Source.
Music is a great touch—ask the guest of honor for a few of her favorite songs and build a playlist that sets the right mood. Background music keeps the energy flowing without making it feel like a dance party (unless that’s what you want!).
9. Keepsakes & Photos
Encourage guests to leave handwritten notes or advice in a guest book for the parents-to-be. You can find beautiful options at:
For photography, consider hiring a local event photographer or designating a friend to take photos throughout the event. Print copies or create a hardbound photo album using services like Shutterfly or Artifact Uprising.
10. Conclusion
Planning a baby shower is all about celebrating a growing family with joy, thoughtfulness, and personal touches. Whether it’s a traditional gathering or something more modern, the goal is to make it memorable and meaningful.
As you build your registry or shop for gifts, be sure to browse our collection of baby gift baskets—designed to impress and crafted with care.