14 Baby Shower Alternatives for Moms-to-Be

Celebrating a new mom is a special moment, and not every parent-to-be wants a traditional baby shower. Whether she prefers something low-key, more personal, or simply different, there are plenty of ways to honor her and help her feel celebrated and supported.

In recent years, many parents have started looking for alternatives to traditional baby showers. Some want a more intimate gathering, while others prefer celebrations that focus on practical support, quality time, or preparing for life with a newborn.

Whether you’re planning something low-key, co-ed, postpartum, or focused on practical support to prepare for baby’s arrival, there are plenty of meaningful ways to celebrate this exciting season of life.

Why Some Parents Choose Alternatives to a Baby Shower

While traditional baby showers remain popular, they’re not the right fit for everyone. Some parents prefer smaller gatherings, some already have most of the baby items they need, and others simply want a celebration that feels more personal.

The good news is that there are many ways to honor a growing family. Whether you’re planning something low-key, practical, co-ed, virtual, or focused on postpartum support, there are plenty of meaningful alternatives to a traditional baby shower.

14 Baby Shower Alternatives for Moms-to-Be

If a traditional baby shower doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are plenty of meaningful baby shower alternatives to consider. From practical support to memorable gatherings, these ideas offer something for every personality, budget, and parenting journey.

1. Girls’ Night Out

A group of people are seated around a table, smiling and raising glasses in a toast. The setting appears to be a cozy indoor space with warm lighting. Some are holding glasses of white wine. The mood is festive and cheerful as they celebrate the new mom.

Since it will be challenging for Mom to get away after the baby is born, you could consider planning a girls’ night with her friends before the baby arrives. This night doesn’t even have to involve going out. You could frame it as a sleepover instead! Get some of her favorite movies and snacks so she can relax and spend quality time with her friends.

2. Baby Sprinkle

Consider a baby sprinkle if the new mom doesn’t want a full-blown baby shower! This type of celebration is like a mini baby shower, but more low-key, and a great idea for moms who already have kids. You can still host similar baby shower food and baby shower games for the sprinkle. Just make it easy and fun! It can also have a reduced guest list to alleviate some of the pressure.

3. Sip-and-See

This type of celebration typically takes place after the baby is born. A sip-and-see is more focused on seeing the baby, and the presents are primarily for the baby, rather than the mother. This one could be tricky because the timing needs to be right, as you want to ensure the new mom feels up to it. If she’s comfortable, you can plan this for after the birth!

Related: What Is a Sip and See and How to Host One

4. Nesting Party

@aloha.nutrition
My second Nesting Party with my third pregnancy..success! Thank you soooo much to my friends for helping me “nest” and prep for the postpartum period. We had so much fun and they told me they had more fun than some baby showers they’d been to. There were no awkward games, everyone participated in something and who doesn’t love organizing someone else’s house 😆 If Nesting Parties seems like it’d actually give you more anxiety, I totally get it. I practice the 80%/20% rule where my friends do 80% of the prep work and organization, then I do my 20% finishing touch. I actually didn’t even end up changing anything my friends did because they did such a great job! I was like wow, that’s so pretty and organized. Nesting parties should really be a thing, pass the word along and if you do/did one, how did you feel about it? Anxious or was it helpful? 🔹BTW if you want to grab my checklist, you can grab it in my bio. Makes things soooo much easier! . . . #nestingparty #nesting #thirdtrimesternesting #nestingpartyhowto #howtothrowanestingparty #nestingpartyisthenewbabyshower #preppingforpostpartum #nestingwithgrace #nursingcart #pregnancy #thirdtrimester #lasttrimestercountdown
♬ original sound – Allegra Gast, RDN, IBCLC

If mom already has most of the baby items, consider having a nesting party! A nesting party is a gathering of close family and friends that helps the expecting mother prepare for the postpartum period.

Instead of bringing baby clothes, toys, and baby gear, they can bring diapers, freezer meals, and cleaning supplies to help her set up a comfortable “nest.”

5. Blessingway

A Blessingway is a tradition inspired by Navajo ceremonies. It celebrates a woman’s passage into motherhood. Like traditional baby showers, Blessingways are usually for women only. You can include whatever the new mom wants. This celebration could mean pampering her, sharing birth stories, praying, giving her gifts, and any other ways she’d like to celebrate.

Related: What Is a Blessingway?

6. Co-Ed Shower

If the new mom wants to go a more nontraditional route but still have it similar to a baby shower, consider inviting the guys. A co-ed shower includes the important men and women in the mother-to-be’s life. You may need to tweak the baby shower games and baby shower theme, but this can be a fun way for everyone to celebrate the new baby!

7. Postpartum Party

A postpartum party is similar to a sip-and-see, but it focuses on the mom rather than the new baby. Once the new mom has had some time to recover, you can plan a get-together with her friends or an activity she misses. This party will help her change her scenery and take a break, so she can feel like herself again after the baby arrives.

8. Babymoon

A new mom-to-be in a light floral dress stands on a balcony with her hands gently resting on her belly. She has curly hair and smiles while looking down. The background features a cityscape with white buildings and red roofs under a partly cloudy sky, celebrating the joy of motherhood.

Another great way to celebrate a mom-to-be is by taking her on a babymoon. For this type of getaway, the parents-to-be can take some time away to enjoy themselves before the baby arrives. This trip could be a weekend in a hotel or something further away. It’s up to the parents!

Related: 10 Reasons to Take a Babymoon

9. Rest and Relaxation Weekend

It’s no secret that getting enough sleep after the baby arrives will be challenging, and the pregnant mom may already be having difficulty getting rest. A dedicated day or weekend of rest can be a wonderful way to help her relax before baby arrives. This event could be a day or an entire weekend focused on rest and relaxation.

10. Meal Train

Instead of a sip-and-see, you could arrange for a meal train event. It will be challenging to cook with a new baby, so having family and friends bring meals to the new mom can help her get through those first few weeks. Bonus points for guests who bring freezer meals!

Related: Postpartum Freezer Meals You’ll Love

11. Decorate-the-Nursery Party

There are many things a mom needs to do to get ready for a new baby. To help her out, you could invite guests over for some food and to paint the nursery with her, similar to a nesting party.

This party could also be geared toward stocking the nursery with items like diapers, bedding, and decorations. Just be sure to find out what her nursery theme is!

12. Baby Barbecue

A woman in a green dress stands outside, her pregnant belly being hugged by a young girl in a polka dot dress. They are under a tree, near a table set with plates, glasses, and food, including a stack of buns. A bicycle is visible in the background as they celebrate the new mom.

If the mama-to-be isn’t into the traditional baby shower, take things outside with a Baby Barbecue. This is a great way to have a co-ed shower and take some of the focus off the mom-to-be. They’re also affordable since the host can grill the food, so the new mom doesn’t have to pay for a venue. Just set things up in the backyard!

13. Virtual Baby Shower

Instead of hosting a large group shower, consider a virtual baby shower. This type of gathering would allow the new mom to still visit with her friends and family without having to decorate or go anywhere.

Nina, Baby Chick’s co-founder, even shared virtual baby shower tips live on Houston’s KPRC NBC Channel 2 during 2020, showing how meaningful and fun these gatherings can be for new moms.

14. A Day of Pampering

Once the baby arrives, finding time for self-care can become much more challenging. It will help her to relax and focus on herself. She can get a massage, a haircut, or a manicure and pedicure.

There are so many thoughtful ways to celebrate a new mom, and the best choice depends on what makes her feel most comfortable and supported. Ask what she truly wants and build from there. Whether it is rest, help at home, or time with loved ones, the most meaningful celebrations are the ones centered on her needs.