Although it has its roots in the United States and some South American countries, the baby shower birth party has been growing in popularity in Spain for a few years now. It’s a welcome party for the baby, where friends and family gather to celebrate their arrival in style. While it can be a fun event, it’s also a great opportunity to make sure you have everything your baby will need. So, if you’re pregnant and want to organize a baby shower , or you’re thinking of planning one for a friend or family member but don’t know where to start, this article shares a few ideas to help you prepare it (and enjoy it) ;)

What is a baby shower?

Although we often think that a baby shower birth party is a modern invention that we’ve imported from other countries, the truth is that this type of celebration was already practiced in Antiquity in many cultures as a ritual. The purpose of the celebration and the way it’s held have changed: traditionally, it was a rite in which women offered the expectant mother useful advice for motherhood, while today it has become a time to share joy with friends and family as the baby’s arrival approaches. It’s also an opportunity for you to get help with the material needs your little adventurer might have: diapers, clothes, their first toys... It really is a shower of practical gifts!

You probably associate the baby shower with American culture. Cinema has made sure we include this tradition in our imagination as a celebration unique to the United States. However, many countries have kept this tradition deeply rooted, such as Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, China, or South Africa. In Europe, it’s becoming increasingly popular. In Spain, for example, it’s a fairly recent trend, but it has arrived with force: for almost a decade, many companies have been offering gifts, menus, decorations, and even professionals in charge of organizing a baby shower to perfection. It’s usually organized by the pregnant woman’s closest friends or family members, with the goal of giving her a lovely surprise. Some women decide to celebrate it on their own initiative, so they can choose exactly how they want the party to be in honor of their baby’s upcoming arrival. Have you thought about how you’d like to celebrate it?

10 ideas for a perfect baby shower

It seems like it was yesterday when you announced that you were pregnant , and you’re already thinking about everything your little adventurer will need. A baby shower is undoubtedly a wonderful opportunity to enjoy delicious food, games, and beautiful gifts with the people you love. And almost without realizing it, you’ll become aware of how little time is left until you welcome your little adventurer! Here are some ideas to organize a truly special baby shower .

1. Make a guest list

The starting point of a birth celebration is, like any other celebration, the guest list. Although in some cultures it’s traditional for friends, neighbors, and family of the pregnant woman to attend the tribute, the truth is that the guest list depends on you: think about who you want to share such a special moment with. That said, we recommend keeping the list to 20 or 30 people so you can truly enjoy the event.

2. Set a realistic budget

Just as important as who will attend is how much it will cost. Before you start thinking about the details of the baby shower , calculate the budget available to you. You can save a lot on decorations, food, and guest gifts if you prepare some of these things yourself. While there may be variations, we recommend trying to stick as closely as possible to your budget.

3. Decide when to celebrate it

The baby shower is usually celebrated between the sixth and eighth month of pregnancy, when the pregnant woman typically feels her best and can fully enjoy the celebration. By this stage, the nausea from the first weeks of pregnancy has usually disappeared, she has more energy, and her belly still doesn’t feel as heavy as it does in the last month. It’s common for the baby shower to be held on the weekend, usually in the afternoon. That way, it’s easier for all guests to attend and have time to prepare the gifts they want to bring to surprise the pregnant woman.

4. Choose where to celebrate the birth party

One of the most complicated decisions is the location of the baby shower . Usually, the preferred place for these celebrations is a home, whether it’s the pregnant woman’s or a relative’s. This is because it’s a party where useful gifts for the baby on the way are given, so there’s no need to transport them afterward. However, space isn’t always sufficient. In these cases, it may be a good idea to rent a venue , reserve a space in a coffee shop, or organize it in a park if the weather permits.

5. Prepare the invitation

There’s no party without a beautiful invitation . It’s usually created in a digital format and shared via email or WhatsApp. If you prefer, you can design and print it at a reprographics center, or hire a professional. It should include the following information: the date and place of the baby shower , your contact details, a request to confirm attendance by a specific date, and, if you wish, where guests can find the wish list for the future baby. Many pregnant women create gift lists at their favorite stores with the items their baby will need. This is a great help, since the arrival of a son or daughter can involve significant expenses.

6. Take care of the decoration of the baby shower

The most fun part is decorating the birth party. You can choose a theme and plan all the party elements from there: the colors and style of the tableware, banners, the tablecloth, decorations, balloons… Some people prefer blue tones for a baby shower for a boy or pink tones for a baby shower for a girl, but the truth is that there’s no written rule. It can be a great idea to skip stereotypes and let your imagination take flight! Wild prints, cartoon characters or children’s books, pastel tones, or even a multicolored universe. You have many options, and the internet can help a lot thanks to the decoration ideas for a birth party you’ll find on Pinterest and Instagram.

7. Prepare a delicious and healthy menu

As we mentioned above, it’s common to celebrate the baby shower on the weekend and in the afternoon. That’s why a snack is usually prepared to delight guests. You can combine savory and sweet options. And why not offer a healthy menu without sacrificing deliciousness? There are endless possibilities, and it can be a great way to encourage healthy habits. A real declaration of intentions for a pregnant woman! Some savory ideas: a delicious homemade empanada, popcorn, toasted nuts prepared at home and seasoned with spices, assorted sandwiches (hummus, avocado, fresh cheese and spinach, omelette, cashew pâté and tomato, etc.), a potato omelette… And what about sweets? You can make a homemade cake or muffins, toast with peanut butter and banana, skewers of fresh fruit, or small glasses of yogurt with nuts and berries. To drink, you can offer water, natural juices, gazpacho, infusions, and coffee. Of course, it’s best to avoid alcohol. Remember that during pregnancy, alcohol should be avoided, even in small quantities, to prevent problems in the baby’s development.

8. Organize activities and games for the baby shower

Encouraging children to attend the birth party can be a great idea, especially if you organize activities for them. You can set up corners with books, costumes, toys, paints and coloring books, construction paper, scissors, and glue for crafts… It’s also a good option to prepare a storytelling session . Children love stories! More fun activities that all guests will enjoy include: decorating and signing a guestbook; painting a bib for the future baby with fabric markers; charades inspired by childhood and birth; a photocall with funny messages about motherhood; or leaving a Polaroid within guests’ reach so they can take photos during the party. The ideas are endless!

9. Choose original gifts for your baby shower

A wedding, a baptism, and a first communion often come with a gift for the guests. What better way to remember such a special day? A baby shower is also a perfect time to offer an original and heartfelt gift for your guests . It could be a decorated box, a decorative figure, an accessory with a child-inspired theme, or a book that marked us in childhood… If your budget is limited, we recommend making the gift yourself. It will be even more special! :)

Regarding gifts for the baby, many families feel they receive too many gifts—either at the birth party or right after the baby is born—and some of them aren’t very useful. Our recommendation is that you prepare a list of the items your baby (and you) need and share it with guests, or at least with the closest ones. What shouldn’t be missing from your list? Diapers! You’ll need plenty of them. :)

10. Ask for help if you can't do everything

Organizing a baby shower isn’t difficult, but it does take time and dedication to make everything run smoothly. It’s a good idea to start organizing at least three weeks before the chosen date, so you have enough time to prepare all the details. The best advice we can give you is to enjoy it—and ask for help if you feel you can’t manage everything.

Happy baby shower !