Baby Shower Checklist: Plan and Host the Perfect Shower - Baby Chick
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Baby Shower Checklist: Plan and Host the Perfect Shower

Learn how to plan and host a baby shower with ease using this week-by-week checklist for a joyful day the mom-to-be will always remember.

Updated June 1, 2025

by Nina Spears

The Baby Chick®: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expert
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Planning a baby shower can feel like a full-time job. Trust me—time sneaks up on you, and suddenly, you’re scrambling to get everything ordered, reserved, and organized before the big day. I recently had my own shower, and making sure every detail was prepped ahead of time was a serious undertaking. Thankfully, I’m a pretty organized person and had some wonderful friends who helped bring it all together so I could truly enjoy the celebration.

Whether planning a baby shower for yourself, a friend, or a family member, having a solid baby shower checklist makes all the difference. This guide is exactly what I used to stay on schedule—and it covers everything from guest lists and food to decorations, games, and setup. If you’re wondering how to plan a baby shower or need a detailed baby shower planning checklist, this one will help you host a smooth, memorable, and stress-free event. 🙂

Your 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

Start with the basics—this is when the foundation for your baby shower planning truly begins.

  • 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 (consult with the mother-to-be) with full names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers (if possible).
    • Determine how many people can fit in the room or home.
  • Decide if the event will be catered (and if so, which company/restaurant) or if you or someone else will be helping make the baby shower food, and determine who will be making what.
  • Ask the mother-to-be if she has a particular baby shower theme or color scheme in mind for the event.

6 Weeks Out: Start Sending Baby Shower Invites

With the big details in place, it’s time to focus on invitations and registry info.

5 Weeks Out: Finalize Baby Shower Food, Games & 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 want to play and the prizes for the winners.
  • Assign a photographer or hire a professional photographer.
  • Order any entertainment (if you want a band, etc.) or additional surprises.

3 Weeks Before: Order Baby Shower Flowers, Decor & 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 for how the mother-to-be is getting to the shower. Is someone picking her up? Is she driving herself?

2 Weeks Before: Prep Food, Supplies & Confirm the Baby Shower 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 to Go: Final Headcount and Prep Baby Shower 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 you can freeze 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.
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2 Days Before: Shop for Perishables & Decorate for the Baby Shower

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 have
  • Have a comfortable chair picked out, with a pillow or seat cushion, for the mom-to-be to use at the shower.

Day Before: Finish Cooking, Clean Up & 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 get delivered.
  • If hosting in your home, vacuum and clean the guest bathroom.
  • Set up extra chairs for guests.
  • Set up a designated space for holding baby shower gifts.

The Morning Of: Baby Shower Setup & 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.

Party Time! Hosting the Baby Shower

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 give the gifts for the mother-to-be to open. 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, is comfortable, and is happy. 🙂

After the Baby Shower: Cleanup, Thank-Yous & 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 flower arrangements to the mother-to-be to take home, or have the other hosts make additional arrangements.
  • Make sure that all guests are leaving 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 will help keep things organized, stress-free, and enjoyable. Whether you’re planning a baby shower for someone special or getting ready to host a baby shower yourself, it covers everything you need for a smooth event. 💗

🎁 Want a copy for yourself? Download our free printable baby shower checklist below to stay on track and make planning easier from day one!

An image showcases three stacked pages from the Baby Chick Baby Shower Checklist. This handy guide features tasks to prepare for hosting a baby shower, with detailed bullet points for each stage—8 weeks to 1 day before the event—ensuring nothing is overlooked.
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