Planning a baby shower can feel like a full-time job. Time sneaks up quickly, and suddenly you’re juggling invitations, food, decorations, and last-minute details. When I planned my own baby shower, staying organized made all the difference and allowed me to actually enjoy the celebration.
Whether you’re planning a baby shower for yourself, a friend, or a family member, having a clear baby shower checklist helps everything run smoothly. This week-by-week guide covers invitations, food, games, decor, and setup so you can stay on track and host a stress-free, memorable event.
The Ultimate Week-by-Week Baby Shower Checklist
This detailed baby shower planning checklist breaks everything down week by week so you can stay organized, feel confident, and enjoy the process of planning a special celebration.
7 Weeks Before the Baby Shower
This is when the foundation of your baby shower planning begins, including setting the date, budget, and guest list.
- Determine who the host(s) will be.
- Set a date and time.
- Set a budget.
- Choose a location for the shower.
- Decide whose home the party will be held in, or reserve a restaurant or party room.
- Prepare a guest list (consulting with the mother-to-be) that includes full names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers (if available).
- Determine how many people can fit in the room or home.
- Decide whether the event will be catered (and, if so, which company/restaurant) or if you or someone else will be helping prepare the food for the baby shower, and determine who will be responsible for what.
- Ask the mother-to-be if she has a particular baby shower theme or color scheme in mind for the event.
6 Weeks Before the Baby Shower: Send Invitations
With the big details in place, it’s time to focus on invitations and registry info.
- Order baby shower invitations and prepare invitations for mailing.
- If the expecting mama has registered somewhere for her baby registry items, ensure her registry information is included in the invitation.
Related: The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist
5–4 Weeks Before the Baby Shower: Finalize Food, Games, and Rentals
Now’s the moment to dive into the fun stuff: food, favors, decorations, and games.
- Mail the invitations.
- Plan the menu.
- If catering, keep the budget in mind.
- If cooking, assign who will be making what.
- Check if any guests have food allergies—make sure there are options available for them.
- Order the baby shower cake.
- Check tables, tableware, and chairs to ensure you have enough of each. If there isn’t enough, look up your local rental options.
- Decide what kind of decorations and/or flowers you’ll have.
- Make a list of any props or baby shower party favors you may need.
- Think about the baby shower games you’d like to play and the prizes for the winners.
- Assign a photographer or hire a professional photographer.
- Order any entertainment (such as a band) or additional surprises.
3 Weeks Before the Baby Shower: Order Flowers, Decor, and Favors
You’re getting close! Use this week to button up the little details and get ahead where you can.
- Write out place cards, if desired.
- Order balloons and flowers if they are planned decorations.
- Will you have a flower crown, corsage, or something special for the mother-to-be to wear for the shower?
- Order table centerpieces.
- Order the props, prizes, or party favors that you’ll need.
- Wrap all favors and gifts.
- Have a plan in place for how the mother-to-be will get to the shower. Is someone picking her up? Is she driving herself?
2 Weeks Before the Baby Shower: Prep Food, Supplies, and Confirm the Venue
It’s all about double-checking and confirming so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Reconfirm your reservation if you are hosting the shower at a restaurant or party space.
- If the party is at your home, decide which serving dishes, utensils, table linens, and napkins you’ll use.
- Clean or iron table linens if necessary.
- Reconfirm rental supplies (if needed).
- If catering: Reconfirm your order with the caterer.
- If cooking food, prepare a shopping list for the food and beverages you need.
- Reconfirm the entertainment or create a baby shower playlist for a fun and inviting atmosphere.
1 Week Before the Baby Shower: Final Headcount and Prep Favors
This week is for tying up loose ends and making sure everything is ready to go.
- Phone anyone who has not called to RSVP and have a final headcount.
- Prepare dishes that can be frozen ahead of time for the event.
- Reconfirm with guests who’ve been asked to bring food or special items.
- Put together or reconfirm party favors.
2 Days Before the Baby Shower: Shop for Perishables and Decorate
Time to prep, decorate, and take care of those last-minute to-dos.
- Shop for perishables, ice, and other remaining supplies.
- Prepare food that can be made in advance.
- If the event is at your home:
- Put decorations in place
- Set the table(s) and arrange seating
- Have a comfortable chair, complete with a pillow or seat cushion, selected for the mom-to-be to use during the shower.
1 Day Before the Baby Shower: Finish Cooking, Clean Up, and Set the Stage
Just one more day! Make final touches and get your space party-ready.
- Finish preparing food.
- If you’re not cooking, pick up the cake and prepared food, or check in with the caterer.
- Pick up flowers or make sure they are delivered.
- If hosting in your home, vacuum and clean the guest bathroom.
- Set up extra chairs for guests.
- Designate a space for storing baby shower gifts.
The Morning of the Baby Shower: Setup and Last-Minute Details
You’ve made it—do a final run-through so you can enjoy the celebration stress-free.
- If you’re using balloons as decor, pick them up. If you pick them up earlier, they could deflate.
- Have all hosts congregate at the party site an hour or two ahead of time to help set up.
- Chill some refreshments to be ready at party time.
- Set out food, except items that need to stay warm or cold.
Baby Shower Time: Hosting and Enjoying the Celebration
Relax, have fun, and soak it all in—this is what you’ve been planning for.
- Introduce the guests to each other.
- Mingle.
- Eat.
- Take pictures.
- Play baby shower games.
- Open gifts.
- Designate someone to record who gave which gift.
- Designate someone to help with giving the gifts to the mother-to-be so she can open them (bending down is now more difficult for her).
- Designate someone to collect all wrapping paper for trash.
- Designate someone to repackage all the gifts for the expecting mom to take home.
- Make sure that she is eating, comfortable, and happy.
After the Baby Shower: Cleanup, Thank-Yous, and Favors
Wrap things up, show your appreciation, and help the mom-to-be head home with love and gifts.
- Collect all the gifts and place them in the mother-to-be’s car or ride.
- Give the mother-to-be a flower arrangement to take home, or have the other hosts create additional arrangements.
- Make sure that all guests leave with their party favors and coats.
- Clean up plates and cups once guests are finished.
- Gather rented linens, tables, and chairs together if you need to pick them up or drop them off.
This baby shower checklist is designed to help keep planning organized and manageable, so you can focus on celebrating instead of stressing over details. Whether you’re hosting a baby shower for someone special or planning your own, this guide walks you through everything you need for a smooth event.
Having a checklist on hand makes it easier to stay organized and enjoy the celebration without last-minute stress. If you’d like a version you can save or print, here’s a simple one you can use while planning.
Printable Baby Shower Checklist
Want a copy for yourself? Download our free printable baby shower checklist below to stay on track and make planning easier from day one!
