So You're Planning a Baby Shower

First things first: take a deep breath. Planning a baby shower can feel like organising a small wedding while simultaneously learning a new language (what even is a "nappy cake"?). But here's the good news – you've got this, and we're here to help.

Whether you're the mum-to-be taking charge of your own celebration (totally valid), a best friend determined to throw the party of the year, or a partner who's been voluntold to help, this guide covers everything you need to know about UK baby showers in 2025.

When to Start Planning

The sweet spot for hosting a baby shower is between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. Early enough that the mum-to-be isn't too exhausted, late enough that the bump is properly impressive for photos, and with enough time before the due date that baby doesn't gatecrash their own party.

Your Planning Timeline

8-12 Weeks Before

Set the date (check with the guest of honour first!)
Decide on the vibe: intimate gathering or big bash?
Book your venue if not hosting at home
Create a rough budget
Start the guest list

4-6 Weeks Before

Send invitations (digital is fine, honestly)
Finalise the theme and decorations
Plan the menu and order any catering
Organise games and activities
Confirm the registry is set up and share the link

1-2 Weeks Before

Chase RSVPs (there's always someone who forgets)
Confirm final numbers with caterers/venue
Buy decorations and supplies
Prepare game prizes
Create a day-of timeline

Choosing Your Venue

The venue sets the tone for everything else. Here are your main options:

At Home

The classic choice. Pros: free, flexible, and you can kick everyone out when you're tired. Cons: you have to clean before AND after, and your living room might not fit 30 people comfortably.

Best for: Intimate gatherings of 15 or fewer, budget-conscious hosts, or when you want that cosy, personal feel.

Restaurant or Café Private Room

Many restaurants offer private dining rooms perfect for baby showers. They handle the food, drinks, and cleanup – you just show up and enjoy.

Budget: Expect £25-50 per head for afternoon tea style, or negotiate a minimum spend.

Best for: Medium-sized groups (15-30), hosts who don't want catering stress, or when you want a special atmosphere without the hassle.

Village Hall or Community Centre

Don't knock it – these spaces are surprisingly versatile and incredibly affordable. You get a blank canvas to decorate however you like.

Budget: £50-150 for a few hours, plus your own catering.

Best for: Larger groups (30+), DIY decorators, or when you want full control over food and activities.

Hotel Function Room

For a touch of luxury. Many hotels offer baby shower packages with catering included.

Budget: £40-80 per head typically.

Best for: When you want to impress, have guests travelling from afar, or the mum-to-be deserves some serious pampering.

Setting Your Budget

Let's talk money. Baby showers can cost anywhere from £100 to £1,000+ depending on your choices. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Item	Budget Option	Mid-Range	Splurge
Venue	£0 (home)	£100-200	£300+
Food & Drinks	£50-100	£150-300	£400+
Decorations	£20-40	£50-100	£150+
Games & Prizes	£10-20	£30-50	£75+
Invitations	£0 (digital)	£20-40	£50+
Total (20 guests)	£80-160	£350-690	£975+

Pro tip: Split costs between a few close friends or family members. It's completely normal for 2-3 people to co-host and share expenses.

Theme Ideas That Actually Work

You don't need a theme, but it does make decoration shopping easier. Here are some that work brilliantly without being too cheesy:

Afternoon Tea

Classic, elegant, and very British. Think tiered cake stands, finger sandwiches, and pretty florals. Works for any gender and never goes out of style.

Woodland / Safari

Gender-neutral and adorable. Lots of greenery, animal motifs, and earthy tones. Easy to find decorations and works for any venue.

Boho / Botanical

Dried flowers, macramé, and neutral colours. Instagram-worthy without trying too hard. Perfect for the minimalist mum-to-be.

Storybook / Literary

Guests bring their favourite childhood book as a gift. Decorate with book quotes and vintage illustrations. Meaningful and practical.

Food and Drinks

The food doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need to be plentiful. Hungry guests are grumpy guests.

Easy Crowd-Pleasers

Finger sandwiches: Cucumber, egg mayo, smoked salmon, coronation chicken
Savoury bites: Mini quiches, sausage rolls, cheese straws
Sweet treats: Cupcakes, macarons, fruit skewers, brownies
The centrepiece: A proper cake (doesn't have to be elaborate – M&S do lovely ones)

Drinks

Remember the guest of honour can't drink alcohol, so make the non-alcoholic options just as special:

Fancy mocktails (elderflower spritz, virgin mojitos)
Fruit-infused water
Good quality tea and coffee
Prosecco or wine for guests who want it

Games That Don't Make People Cringe

Baby shower games have a bad reputation, but the right ones actually get people laughing and mingling. Check out our complete guide to baby shower games for detailed instructions, but here are the crowd favourites:

Baby photo match: Guests bring their own baby photos, everyone guesses who's who
Don't say "baby": Everyone gets a pin/clip, lose it if you say the B-word
Guess the baby food: Blindfolded tasting of mystery jars
Predictions cards: Guests write predictions about baby's arrival, first words, etc.
Nappy raffle: Bring a pack of nappies for a raffle entry – practical AND fun

The Gift Situation

This is where a registry really shines. Instead of ending up with 47 muslins and no car seat, the mum-to-be gets what she actually needs.

Include the registry link on invitations (yes, this is acceptable now) and mention that group gifting is available for bigger items. Nobody wants to feel awkward about budget, and pooling resources for a pushchair is much more useful than individual small gifts.

Create a BubsNest registry to make this easy – guests can see what's needed, contribute to group gifts, and you can compare prices across retailers.

On the Day

You've done the planning, now enjoy it! A few final tips:

Delegate: Assign someone to take photos, someone to track gifts, someone to top up drinks
Have a timeline: But don't stress if things run over – it's a party, not a military operation
Prepare a comfy seat: The mum-to-be should have the best spot in the house
Keep it to 2-3 hours: Any longer and everyone (especially the pregnant person) will be exhausted
Have fun: Seriously. If you're stressed, everyone else will be too

Ready to start planning?

Create a registry to share with guests and make gift-giving easy for everyone.

Create Your Registry