First-Time baby shower planning. The DO’s and how to make your party memorable.
Planning a baby shower for the first time can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I did it last weekend and boy was it a lot of planning. Two months but it was all worth it. With a little organization and a clear plan, you can create a meaningful, beautiful event that celebrates the parents-to-be without unnecessary stress. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from choosing a theme to finding the best baby shower essentials. The pictures are from the baby shower that I had a huge success with and it was on the larger side I feel: 60 people. Men and women and children. You need to plan according to your numbers and the people that will be there.
1. Start With the Basics
Before diving into decorations and games, get the key details sorted:
- Settle on a Date & Time: Try to Aim for 4–6 weeks before the due date
- What is your location: Is it your or someone else’s home, or backyard, a community hall, or a nice restaurant
- Make a Guest List: Coordinate with the parents-to-be
- Budget: Keep it realistic and simple
A smaller, thoughtful shower often feels more special than an over-the-top event.
2. Choose a Simple Theme
A theme helps guide your decisions and makes everything feel cohesive.
Popular first-time-friendly ideas:
Tip: Don’t overcomplicate it: your colors can be your theme.
A simple throw together cake can be a beautiful center piece
Layers:
- You can bake puff dough and crumble it for the cake layer or do a simple sponge
- Whipping Cream
- Strawberry Jam or Strawberry Puree with some sweetness
- Dip the strawberries in the jam for a nice shine and top the cake
3. Invitations Made Easy
You can go digital or traditional: I went with digital and used CANVA. It took a little bit to figure out, but the invitations were beautiful.
- Digital invites (fast & free)
- Printable templates
“Shop beautiful baby shower invitations on Amazon“
4. Decorations That Make an Impact
You don’t need a huge budget to make the space look beautiful. Focus on a few key elements:
- Put out a Welcome sign or Welcome to our Baby Shower and personalize it
- A Balloon Garland Kit (I bought this one but needed a balloon pump too)
Pro tip: A balloon garland alone can instantly transform a space.
5. Plan a Simple Menu
Keep food easy and crowd-pleasing:
- Finger sandwiches
- Fruit and veggie trays
- Cupcakes or cake
- Sparkling drinks or punch. We had Mimosas, wine and non alcoholic drinks. Someone brought some hard alcohol but it wasn’t in the plan. 🙂 Still, a little Cognac with lunch and Mimosas really set the party mood.
Serving trays & party platters
You don’t need a full meal: snacks and sweets are perfect.
We did opt in to get creative with a Chocolate Fountain just because it seemed like a fun idea with kids in attendance. They really loved it. Definitely recommend.
6. Fun (But Optional) Games
Games can break the ice, but keep them light and minimal.
Easy options:
- Guess the baby’s birth date/weight
- Baby trivia
- Diaper raffle
We did 3 games: Baby Chug, The Price is right and put a diaper on your partner. I think the Price is Right was the most liked because everyone could participate with little effort.
Party prizes were all different soaps in cute bags which people liked. It was something they could use. I made sure there were scented soaps for women and different scents for the men. And they could smell and pick which one they liked to take home.
One thing I had not planned for was prizes for the kids. It totally slipped my mind. We ended up using the baby lamb stuff I had bought as cute decorations for the kids prizes. Who knew all the kids would jump in to play the games! It all turned out perfectly though thanks to a smart friend who suggested it.
If games aren’t your vibe, skip them. Conversation and connection matter more.
7. Create a Gift Table & Registry Area
Set up a designated space for gifts and cards. Include:
- A table sign
- A card box
- A small decorative touch
My Picks:
8. Don’t Forget Party Favors
A small takeaway makes the event feel extra thoughtful. Simple ideas:
My choice is the small succulent party favor pack but there are lots to chose from.
- Scented Soaps (from my shower to yours label) and Baby Bear Soaps
- Make your own packets with “Baby is Brewing” Bags
- Chocolates (A simple, ready to give out chocolate in a beautiful presentation and wrapping)
I bought tiny itty bitty candy pacifiers and filled up mini little zip lock baggies (Dollar store) then put them into little bags with stickers of the parents names on it. (Customized it on Amazon) The picture is not very clear but it was super cute. I’ll put the link in here for the candy etc. Just be aware that it look a long time to receive the custom stickers for the bags so order them ASAP.
Baby Shower Favor Sets: Pen and Thank you cards
9. Capture the Memories
Designate someone to take photos or create a simple photo area. I forgot to do that, so what pictures I do have are from before the party started and any taken by the guests. Please remember to organize that and don’t be like me, trying to find pictures of certain things and times of the party but with no luck.
Photo Booth Props: Neutral, Boy or Girl
Even a small backdrop + good lighting works beautifully. We used the balloon arch as the back drop.
10. Keep It Simple & Meaningful
The most important thing to remember? This day is about celebrating new life and supporting the parents-to-be. You don’t need perfection. You need warmth, intention, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Planning your first baby shower might feel like a lot, but once you break it down, it becomes enjoyable and even meaningful. Focus on what truly matters: creating a space where people can gather, celebrate, and share in the excitement of what’s to come. With a few thoughtful details and the right essentials, you’ll create a baby shower that feels effortless and memorable.
First time baby shower planning can be easy when we keep it simple
We tried to keep in mind that it was a brunch style Baby Shower and we had children there as well. The main menu was Korean Style Chicken Shish kebobs, Beef Sliders with all the sides and Chicken Nuggets (We also had 5 different sauces for people to chose from) along with 2 big salads and fruit. We also had a large Charcuterie Board. It was finger food but a little gourmet-ish. We had a BBQ at hand to cook the meats so it was fresh and delicious. People loved the “finger food” idea and dug right in.
I recommend not getting too complicated with your menu. And you can have people help out and contribute. My 2 salads were brought by 2 different people and they were different, unique and delicious. It makes it fun for everyone when they are included in the planning.
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