my planning lists logo
Header Image

Baby shower planning checklist

< Back to Babies & Children
Print
Is your friend or sister have a baby? Are you planning the baby shower? Here is a checklist ot get your started with your planning. Have fun!

One to three months before the shower:

  • Set a date
  • Write a guest list
  • Start to gather addresses for the guest list
  • Choose a venue or location (home, restaurant, park, office, Church)
  • Decide type of event – formal or informal
  • Plan menu
  • Choose theme
  • Plan invitations – mailed are best; but there are also eVites, facebook event, or combination
  • Make arrangements with entertainment, vendors, caterers, surprises

 Two to four weeks before the shower:

  • Prepare invitations
  • Prepare a map or directions to the event
  • Purchase stamps
  • Mail the invites and directions
  • Finalize menu
  • Make assignments
  • Order balloons or flowers, if applicable
  • Order cake, cupcakes, cookies or Bundt cake, if applicable
  • Purchase paper products
  • Plan and purchase, make, rent or borrow decorations
  • Prepare party favors
  • Plan party games
  • Purchase prizes for games
  • Order party rentals (tables, chairs, linens, decorations) – or borrow
  • Make or buy a welcome sign
  • Collect money for a group gift, if applicable
  • Purchase the group gift
  • If shower is at your house, call a housekeeper or a friend or teenage neighbor to help you clean day before shower

 One Week before the shower:

  • Determine an accurate guest count (contact those who have not responded)
  • Prepare name tags and/or table assignments (if applicable)
  • Purchase a gift for the new mom
  • Confirm arrangements
  • Order food platters
  • Test out music equipment
  • Choose songs for background music
  • If shower is at your home, start cleaning!
  • Arrange for a babysitter for your own children for the night of the shower
  • Ask the husband/partner of the guest-of-honor to come at the end of the shower to say hello, see the gifts, and help pack the gifts up to bring home

 Day before the shower:

  • Purchase food
  • Pick up prepared platters of food
  • Pick up any food or desserts that your ordered
  • Purchase beverages
  • Call vendors to confirm
  • Have cash on hand for tips
  • Charge camera, have it ready to go, make sure there is room on memory card
  • Find paper & pen for someone to take notes on gifts
  • Find pens for games
  • Set out everything you need for the shower
  • Wrap gifts
  • Wrap prizes
  • Set up games
  • Buy flowers
  • Pick up cake
  • Call the guest of honor to check in
  • Prepare signs for street
  • Pick up rentals
  • Clean !!!
  • Make sure your clothes are clean & ready to go
  • Figure out dinner for your family for the night of the shower
  • Clean serving platters
  • Iron table cloths

 Day of the shower:

  • Finish cleaning
  • Decorate
  • Place nametags out
  • Arrange flowers and set out
  • Buy last minute grocery items, such as bread
  • Purchase ice
  • Prepare area for gifts
  • Put table cloths on tables
  • Pick up balloons
  • Set out party favors
  • Set up games
  • Shower, do your make-up and hair, change clothes
  • Send your husband and kids out to dinner or set up in another room
  • Set out beverages
  • Set out food
  • Smile!
  • Welcome your guests

During the shower:

  • Take photos
  • Write down the gifts
  • Enjoy yourself
  • Keep food replenished
  • Sit down
  • Make sure the guest of honor eats, and has a drink
  • Pack up gifts to send home mom-to-be

Following is a really good list to incorporate into your planning if the shower is at your home:

http://www.myplanninglists.com/preparing-for-holiday-dinner-guests.php