Baby showers are typically held four to six weeks before the baby's due date—late enough that the pregnancy is well along, but likely early enough to avoid the baby arriving beforehand and disrupting the party plans. However, some people prefer to have a shower after the delivery. That way the baby can attend, as well.
There's no hard and fast rule, but many baby showers happen one or two months before the baby's due date. Throwing the shower sooner is fine, too; maybe there are scheduling constraints or concerns about the baby arriving early, for example.
Traditionally, baby showers are held in the third trimester of pregnancy from 28 to 32 weeks. This is because this is a great time to start planning and hosting your event. Mom-to-be is comfortable and mobile enough to enjoy herself but is still weeks away from labor.
Who Hosts a Baby Shower? Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
In some families the ceremony is held when the mother-to-be completes her seventh month of pregnancy. It is believed that after the seventh month, the baby and mother are in a safe phase. In some families it is celebrated at the end of the eighth month.
Don't Schedule It Too Early or Too Late
A baby shower should not be held before the 20-week mark in pregnancy. Showers held too late, after 38 weeks, run the risk of the baby joining you for the baby shower. Use these two marks as your best guide.
Yes! Men's attendance at baby showers is not something that's seen as taboo anymore. As men are more involved in raising their children than they may have been in past generations, they may want to enjoy baby showers. Coed baby showers are a natural progression.
The survey of more than 2,000 Australian parents found more than half hosted a baby shower, with 27 per cent paying for the party themselves. Almost half of the parents-to-be shared the cost with family, while the rest (28 per cent) allowed family and friends to carry the cost.
The average baby shower budget should be about $400, but you should roughly plan out what the shower will look like before setting this amount. Naturally, the costs will increase as the budget does; this is typically true for virtual baby showers.
From parents to college roommates, and anyone else who plays an important role in the parents-to-be's lives. It's safe to say that those who weren't included in the initial guest list are the people you shouldn't invite.
The beginning of the third trimester, from 28 to 32 weeks, is a great time for a baby shower! This is the ideal time because mom is usually still feeling pretty good, the baby has grown a lot, and mom will be nearing the end of her pregnancy.
What Happens at 7 Months of Pregnancy? 28 Weeks Pregnant.
Many women choose to delay announcing a pregnancy at least until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks into their pregnancy). This is usually because of concerns about the risk of miscarriage (pregnancy loss) during this time.
Baby showers can be held at any time in pregnancy, though they are most commonly held early in the third trimester - somewhere around 32 weeks.
But keeping things small is great, too. Suppose you want to know what the averages are. In that case, a typical number of guests for a shower will usually fall between 20 and 50. You may choose to host more than one event or get everyone together at the same time.
A typical baby shower includes playing games, watching the mother-to-be open gifts, eating, and drinking. However, games aren't a must. Some baby shower hosts and hostesses are foregoing the typical games in favor of other activities. Ask the expecting mother what she thinks about games and what she would like to do!
We'll break it down by relationship: For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.
As host, you'll be busy keeping an eye on the food and mingling with guests. Assign the gift-list job beforehand to a friend or family member of the mom-to-be. They'll jump into action when the time comes, and you'll remain free to be an “I've got everything handled” party host.
Some guests may group together and choose a gift voucher for a store and some may buy something to treat mum, such as a lush pair of pyjamas or a gorgeously soft robe. There's plenty of options, for the organised mum, the matchy-matchy mum, the 2nd time mum and more.
Baby Shower Gifts $100 and Up
Swings, cribs, bouncers…all those big baby items tend to come in around $100-$250. If the thought of spending that much is overwhelming or not in your budget consider splitting a big item with another family member or friend.
Is it ok to plan your own baby shower? Absolutely. If you're planning for a more casual baby shower or you love the process of planning a party yourself, it's perfectly acceptable to plan your own baby shower. It's less traditional to take the reins yourself.
Sometimes referred to as the “Manshower” or the “Dad-chelor,” the male version of the baby shower has, in recent years, become a thing.
Jack and Jill Baby Shower Name Meaning
Jack and Jill baby showers are co-ed. Even before the nursery rhyme was around, the phrase “Jack and Jill” meant a general boy and girl pair. For a baby shower, this means that both of the baby's parents will be part of the day, and they can each invite friends and family.