A baby shower in Australia is a party celebrating the expecting parents and upcoming baby, featuring food, drinks, games, and gifts, typically hosted by a friend or family member before the birth, though modern showers are often casual, inclusive of all genders, and focused on building a support network, sometimes incorporating themes or unique activities like "nesting parties" for practical help.
The main features of a baby shower are: food & drinks (as with any party!) cake / cupcake / dessert baby shower games (especially if all guests don't know each other. it helps break the ice and makes the party actually fun). opening of the gifts (every guest brings a gift for the mom-to-be)
At a baby shower, people celebrate the pregnancy and soon-to-be arrival of the baby. The venue is decorated, drinks and food is served and games are played.
Some people pay for the shower themselves, while others ask guests to help. When you determine how much money you have to spend, you can begin to map out a plan for the event: from how many people to invite, to how much to spend on party supplies, including food and drink.
Traditionally, the mother-to-be is the guest of honor at the baby shower. That said, if you're hosting a couples' shower, then you should list both parents as the guests of honor.
Once you're at the event, good baby shower etiquette includes keeping conversation encouraging and lighthearted! Avoid making comments about how big her third-trimester belly is or bringing up controversial topics like parenting styles, birth methods, discipline, or breastfeeding!
Traditionally, a close friend or family member (not the expectant mother) hosts and pays for the baby shower, often sharing costs with co-hosts, but modern practices vary, sometimes involving the parents or splitting costs among a larger group, with the goal being to "shower" the parents with gifts, not charge guests.
It is customary to bring a gift to a baby shower, but not mandatory, so if you're unable to bring a gift for whatever reason, simply offering your well wishes will usually be kindly appreciated.
A typical baby shower lasts about 2-3 hours. As guests arrive, they are offered food and drinks and they mingle. Once all of the guests have arrived and had a chance to enjoy food and drink, about 30-45 minutes into the shower, the games begin. There are usually 3-5 different games lasting for another 30-45 minutes.
The average amount varies depending on your relationship and your budget. For a coworker or distant relatives, $20–$40 makes sense. For close friends or a sibling's baby shower, $50–$150 is common. Most people spend what feels right for them, and that's exactly how it should be.
Items For Mum
As mentioned, baby showers are not just about celebrating the baby but also the parents so this is a nice thoughtful choice to make. These gifts could include maternity or post-birth clothing, keepsakes or even pamper products like candles or body items.
On average, baby showers tend to cost about $500, though that total cost goes down when using a free venue like the home of a friend or family member and can go up if you're hosting a shower at a restaurant or venue with an hourly fee. Traditionally, the host of the baby shower will pick up the tab.
Here's a suggested timeline for your two-hour baby shower:
While traditionally baby showers have been female-only events, it's becoming more common to include the dad-to-be and other men. Co-ed baby showers or “sip and see” events are gaining popularity, where both men and women celebrate together.
It's totally up to the parent-to-be's preferences. It may also depend on the number of guests. If there are many guests, the gift-opening session could take a significant amount of time. It can also depend on the type of gifts requested by the parents-to-be.
Games are a great way to help keep guests entertained. Get the party together to play baby shower games like the Celebrity Baby Game, Baby Stroller Olympics, or crowd-favorites like Baby Bingo that guests can play while the mom-to-be is opening her gifts.
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Today it is appropriate for anyone to host a baby shower, as long as there's a legitimate reason. For example, some parents-to-be live far from their hometowns, and their mothers and siblings want to host a shower so that long-time friends can attend.
Traditionally, you could host a brunch party in the morning or an afternoon of high tea. But here's the thing about bridal showers: It's a celebration of the bride and her taste! Serve mini desserts, bite-sized appetizers and finger foods, and tiny sandwiches in her preferred flavors for guests to snack on.
What is the average cost of a baby shower? A typical baby shower can cost anything between $200 to $1,000. This amount depends on various factors like catering, venue, guests, and more.
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