Baby Shower Checklist
Get organized with our baby shower planning checklist.

Planning a baby shower can seem like an overwhelming job. But, if you have a checklist with everything you need to do and when to do it, it makes things a lot easier. 

The best advice I can give is don't wait until the last minute to try and do everything. You will only bring yourself a lot of unnecessary stress and frustration.

We have a baby shower checklist for you to follow starting eight weeks before the party is to take place. Just do a little each week and by the time the baby shower arrives most of your work is done.

8 Weeks Before Baby Shower

Meet with the mom-to-be to discuss the baby shower details. Make sure to discuss:

• The best date and time to have the baby shower. You will want to pick a date that is at least 4-6 weeks before her due date. You don't want to have it too close to her due date and the baby end up coming before the shower.

• Location the baby shower will be held. Are you having it at someone's home, a restaurant, or renting a banquet room? Make sure to factor in the number of guests and your budget.

• Her food likes and dislikes. This is her party, so make sure to serve food she loves!

• Baby's gender and name, nursery theme and colors The guest will want to know the gender of the baby so they can buy appropriate gifts. You might also want to incorporate the baby's name or the theme of the nursery in the shower too.

• Where she is planning to register (you will put this on the invitations, so guest know what she wants).

• Ask her to make a guest list with addresses. Let her decide who she wants to share in her special day.

After you have all this information, you need to determine what your budget is going to be for the baby shower. Set this in the beginning and keep up with it as you go along. Otherwise you might end up spending more than you planned. If you are hosting a large shower, you might want to recruit some cohostess to help with the expenses and planning.

Baby Shower Checklist:

6 Weeks Before Baby Shower

• Pick a baby shower theme. I promise this will make everything much easier (and cuter). Don't want to have a "theme", then just pick the colors you would like to use.

• Order baby shower invitations

• Plan your baby shower menu.

• Reserve location and/or pick caterer if necessary.

• Follow up with mother-to-be on the guest list.

4 Weeks Before Baby Shower

• Mail out the invitations.

• Order baby shower decorations or other supplies you may need.

2 Weeks Before Baby Shower

• Decide which baby shower games and/or activities you will play.

• Buy materials for the games or activities, prizes for games, decorations, and party favors.

• Buy tableware if hosting at home- plates, cups, utensils, napkins and tablecloths.

• Order the baby shower cake or decide what kind you are going to make.

• Finalize your menu and place order with restaurant or caterer if necessary.

• Reserve tables and chairs if you are hosting the shower at home.

1 Week Before Baby Shower

• Call any guests who have not RSVP'd and get a final guest count.

• Make any baby shower crafts you will be using or homemade favors, centerpieces, etc.

• Shop for food.

• Buy your gift for the mommy-to-be.

The Day Before the Shower

• Set up the tables and chairs.

• Start decorating. I like to put up everything the night before to make the day of less stressful.

• Prep and cook any food that can be made in advance.

• Bake the baby shower cake if you are making your own.

• Call and confirm any orders you have made with vendors (food, cake, flowers, balloons, etc.).

• Make sure your camera and/or video camera is charged.

• Double check your baby shower checklist and make sure everything is done.

The Day of the Baby Shower

• Get yourself dressed and ready first. You don't want to be scrambling around at the last minute trying to get ready as guests are arriving (yes, this has happened to me).

• Pick up balloons, flowers, cake, or anything else you may have ordered. Don't forget ice!

• Finish setting up decorations and put party favors out.

• Do any last minute cooking and cleaning.

• Ask a few guests to help take pictures and record the gifts. Sometimes you get so busy being a host, you don't have time to take pictures.

• Smile, have fun and make sure the guest of honor is well taken care of!

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