Baby Shower Checklist: Decor, Games, and Stuff That’ll Actually Make It Fun

Baby Shower Checklist: Decor, Games, and Stuff That’ll Actually Make It Fun

Alright, so you’ve somehow ended up in charge of a baby shower. Deep breaths. Whether you’re the heroic bestie, the very pregnant main event, or someone just trying to pretend you know what you’re doing, you need a plan that goes beyond “slap up some streamers and hope for the best.” Here’s your blueprint to avoid chaos, and maybe even make it a day folks talk about for the right reasons.

1. Pick a Theme – Or At Least Pretend You Tried

Look, everything comes back to the theme. The theme is your north star, your BFF, the thing that keeps the whole vibe from descending into random, disorganized territory.

Some A+ Baby Shower Themes:

  • Classic Pastels:

 Soft blues, pinks, yellows, and mint greens. Honestly, you can’t really mess these up. They always look sweet, no matter what.

  • Rustic Chic: 

Cue the mason jars, random wooden crates, leafy garlands, maybe even a little burlap action. Feels cozy, earthy, and a little like grandma’s kitchen, but way cuter.

  • Modern Minimalist:

If neutrals and gold accents make your heart sing, go here. Simple, geometric, and very Instagrammable.

Storybook Party:

Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit, the classics, your childhood nostalgia is now your decor inspo. Pile up children’s books and call it a motif.

Gender-Specific?

Go for it, blues, baby animals, sports stuff for boys. Florals, princess sparkle, or every possible shade of pink for girls. But hey, don’t stress, gender-neutral showers with rainbows or jungle animals are more than welcome.

2. Send the Kind of Invitations People Actually Open!

First impressions matter, even for a baby shower. Your invite should scream, “this is gonna be cute and fun,” not “I spent two minutes copying a link.

Invitation Cheat Sheet

  • Baby Shower Invitations Boy: Little cars, bears, whales, pick one, max.
  • Baby Shower Invitations Girl: Butterflies, florals, or soft pink balloons. Cute never fails.
  • Neutral Invitations: Rainbows, leafy greens, jungle animals, cover all the bases, especially if nobody knows or cares about the gender yet.
  • Baby Shower Digital Invitation: Send your guests a cool Digital Announcement reveal like this one, and let them be surprised by you all of a sudden.

Key Details to Include:

  • When (date & time)

  • Where (actual address, not just “at our house”) 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Pro Tip:

Send them out 4–6 weeks in advance. If you don’t, half the people will text you two days before all panicked.

3. Deck Out the Place – Baby-Themed Decor That Pops

You don’t need to hire a pro stylist, but you do need decor that’s more than “I picked the least ugly napkins.” Good decorations take any space from “church basement” to “magical baby bash.”

Decor Must-Haves:

  • Backdrop & Balloon Arch: That’s the photo spot. Try streamers or a balloon garland for max wow-factor.
  • Table Centerpieces: Flowers are classic, but you can get creative, stack up some baby books, or go with soft toys and baby bottles filled with candy.
  • Banner: Personalized banners that say “Welcome Baby [Name]” add an adorable (and cheap) finishing touch.
  • Themed Tableware: Plates, cups, and napkins that match the theme you clearly worked so hard on.
  • Props: Giant baby blocks, plush animals, or a cute cradle. Go kitschy, people secretly love it.

Tiny Touches That Pull It Together:

  • Pastel or neutral tablecloths (hide those ugly rental tables)
  • String lights or fairy lights (easy mood booster)
  • Confetti and fun scatter for the tables
  • Don’t forget a little playlist in the background. Babies can’t dance, but you sure can.

4. What to Wear – Baby Shower Edition

You know people are gonna take a million photos, so what you wear matters way more than you think.

Style Tips:

  • For Moms-to-Be: 

Think flowy maxi dresses, empire waists, or something stretchy and soft. Comfort is king; you want to look radiant, not suffocated. Babydoll dresses hide everything you want hidden and show off the bump.

  • For Guests:

 Semi-casual or “Sunday best” attire is the recommended attire. Avoid all white; let the mom-to-be steal the spotlight. Prints or pastels always work. Flats > heels if you’ll be running party games.

  • On Trend:

Florals, pastels, blush tones, or even neutrals. Basically: springtime explosion.

If you can’t decide? Err on the side of dressy. Baby shower photos live forever, and awkward outfits haunt group chats.

5. Baby Shower Games & Little Extras

Didn’t think we’d forget this, right? Games are what keep things from being a boring “eat cake and leave” affair.

Fun Game Ideas:

  • Guess the Baby Food:

 Blindfolds, tiny spoons, mystery purees, hilarity (and maybe a few gag faces) ensue.

  • Diaper Raffle: 

Ask people to bring a pack of diapers and draw a name for a small prize.

  • Baby Trivia:

How many diapers does a baby use in a day? More than you want to know.

  • Onesie Decorating: 

Set out plain onesies and fabric markers. Guests get crafty, parents get some “interesting” baby outfits.

  • Have a Digital game: 

Digital games are trending and cool, you can have one from any online marketplace, like here.

Extra Stuff That Makes It Special:

  • Photo booths with goofy props
  • DIY favor bags (little candles or mini hand creams, stuff people will actually use)
  • Thank-you notes prepped and ready

6:Baby Shower Favors: The Little “Thanks” That Matter

Don’t skip the favors, seriously, they’re your way of saying, “Thanks for coming and making this day less awkward!” Go for stuff that’s sweet, simple, and won’t end up forgotten in someone’s junk drawer.

Some crowd-pleasers:

  • Mini candles with punny tags (“Thanks for showering us!”).
  • Cute cookies or candy bags, personalized if you’re feeling fancy.
  • Seed packets (let’s see who can keep ’em alive the longest).
  • Tiny bottles of lotion, sanitizer, or bath salts for some self-care vibes.

Pro tip:

Wrap these with matching ribbons and tags so it actually looks like you put effort in, even if you didn’t.

Get a Girl Gender Reveal digital scratch card game from here!

7:Food & Drinks: Because Snacks Are the Real MVP

Let’s be honest: everyone’s here for the food. You don’t need a chef (unless you have one handy, jealous!), just stuff that’s easy to eat, delicious, and won’t stain the carpet.

Fan favorite menu ideas:

  • Finger Foods: Mini sandwiches, sliders, veggie trays
  • Sweet Treats: Cupcakes, macarons, or a themed cake (baby-shaped toppers? Go wild)
  • Drinks: Mocktails, lemonade, iced tea, or a DIY beverage bar for max fun

Hot tip:

Matching treats to your theme earns major host points, even if you just ordered them last-minute.


8: Capture the Memories: Pics or It Didn’t Happen

Memories fade, but your friend’s duck-face with a fake pacifier? That’s forever. Set up a DIY photo booth, think props, goofy signs, and maybe a boa or two. 

Or, wanna go the extra mile? Book a real photographer and get those magazine-level keepsakes.


9: Thank You Cards: Show the Love After the Hype

Party done? Time to get sappy (in a good way). Personalized thank-you cards are super important.

How to nail it:

  • Mention what you got (yes, even that fifth set of baby wipes)
  • Be warm, genuine, and a bit personal
  • Get them out quick; nobody likes a thank you three months late

Final Thoughts

Honestly, a baby shower is your excuse to bring your favorite people together and celebrate something huge (and adorable). Whether you go all-out with Pinterest boards or keep it cozy and simple, just focus on the fun and the love. Make it your own, and hey, if you end up with extra cupcakes, that’s called winning.

 

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