Baby Shower Checklist

A baby shower checklist is the perfect tool for baby shower hostesses. There can be so much to do when trying to pull off the perfect baby shower.

It can be overwhelming trying to remember the big stuff like food and decorations and then before you know it you forget the little things like getting batteries for the camera or ice for the drinks.

That's why a baby shower planning checklist can be invaluable, its a written guide that helps you to stay organized and on schedule from the moment you decide to plan the party through to the very day of the celebration.

Use the baby shower checklist below by adjusting it to fit the time-line you have available to plan the party.

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Baby Shower Checklist

Two months before the Baby Shower

Meet with the mom-to-be and co-hostess to decide on the following:

Create the baby shower guest list

Determine a budget for the baby shower

Set the date of the baby shower

Decide on the baby shower location

Decide on the baby shower theme

This is the time mom-to-be will get registered at a baby registry if she is not already

One month before the Baby Shower

Select and mail the baby shower invitations – include directions

Plan for the baby shower menu

Three weeks before the Baby Shower

Order the baby shower cake

Order balloons and flowers if they are planned decorations

Order tables and chairs if you’re hosting the baby shower at a home

Order any other special entertainment or surprises such as photographer

Two weeks before the Baby Shower

Buy baby shower decorations, game prizes and party favors

Buy plates, cups, eating utensils, tablecloths, etc. If you’re hosting the baby shower at a home

Finalize the baby shower menu with the Caterer or Restaurant(if applicable)

Plan which baby shower games you want guest to play

One week before the Baby Shower

Establish a final count on your baby shower guest list

Call invited guests who have not RSVP’d to the baby shower to get a final answer

If you ordered cake, flowers, tables, chairs etc, call to verify that order will be ready

Wrap baby shower game prizes and party favors

Buy film and batteries for camera and video recorder

If you’re hosting the baby shower at a home, begin to clean the home (do all the big cleaning that you can)

Prepare a printed baby shower menu, table assignments and name tags (if desired)

Buy your baby shower gift for mommy-to-be

The day before the Baby Shower

Begin decorating if you’re hosting the baby shower at a home – you will need tape and scissors, ect

Set up tables, chairs, food table, drink table, etc.

Buy baby shower drinks, also make sure to get bottled water

If you’re cooking anything for the baby shower, do whatever you can today (eg make food trays that will keep well for the next day)

Today is the day if you are baking the baby shower cake yourself

Get the baby shower games ready – make sure you have plenty of pencils

Prepare a timeline for the day of the baby shower so that you stay on schedule. The timeline should include last minute tasks before the baby shower begins and a schedule to keep the party on track (baby showers are generally 2 to 3 hours)

Double-check that every item on the checklist before “The Day of the Baby Shower” is done

The Day of the Baby Shower!

Follow your baby shower timeline to stay organized and calm

Pick up balloons, flowers and/or other centerpieces if you have ordered them

Pick up the baby shower cake if you are not baking it yourself

Finish setting up baby shower decorations and put party favors out on a table

Buy plenty of ice for drinks and setup up drinks and cups

Set out food on tables if you’re hosting the baby shower at home

Designate certain guests to take pictures and video of the baby shower

When mommy-to-be is opening baby shower gifts, keep trash bags close by

Write down the baby shower gifts and who they were given by – use the Invite/RSVP list to make sending thank you cards easy for mommy-to-be

Have fun and rest assured that you have planned a wonderful day for mommy-to-be!

Download a printable version of this baby shower checklist here

Navigate from Baby Shower Checklist to baby Shower Planning Guide