Modern baby shower ideas

The new rule for throwing a modern baby shower is that there are no rules: the decor is no longer limited to baby blues and blush, and modern baby shower invitations can be as sweet or cheeky as you like. Today’s baby shower is less rooted in tradition and more focused on personalizing the party to the guest (or guests) of honor. Whether you celebrate before the arrival with a sprinkle or after with a sip and see, a bris, or a baptism, here’s the scoop on how to host…

Modern baby shower details

Who should host

Our favorite element of a modern baby shower: anyone can host! It’s completely acceptable for anyone close to the guest of honor to do the, well, honors. That means extended family, friends, even neighbors or co-workers.

When to host

Hosting late in the second trimester gives parents the opportunity to stock up on baby essentials well before the due date and ensures mom-to-be will have enough energy to enjoy it. Aim for a window of two to three hours in the afternoon, with a clear start and end time.

Get input

Begin by asking the new parents what type of party they envision for their family (pastels might not be their vibe) and getting a thumbs-up on opening gifts or playing shower games. While a theme isn’t necessary, it’s a nice way to add personality to the day. Our hot take—skip party favors, nobody really needs a baby bottle filled with jelly beans. If you feel strongly about including a gift for guests, go with something edible.

Don’t forget the registry

Including the registry on the invitation is easier for all involved—you can add as many registry links as you’d like to either our baby shower invitations. We even have a baby registry guide to help get you started.

Modern baby shower ideas

Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite theme ideas for modern baby showers, complete with who to invite, how to decorate, on-theme activities, and what to include in the baby shower.

Coed baby shower

Toast your favorite parents-to-be with a low-key couple’s shower. Think of a coed shower as an afternoon or early evening with friends. 

Do: If the weather is nice, consider an evening outside grilling. Serve bbq or tacos along with beer and wine. Or rent the patio, or a private room, at your go-to spot. A couples shower is a great opportunity to get competitive with coed baby shower games—have teams guess childhood facts about each parent or ask guests to send the host a baby photo of themselves and have everyone guess who is who.

Decorations: Keep it simple. Think neutral colors, graphic patterns, and minimal decor. Let gifts double as decor with classic blocks or a toy wagon, where guests can add their coed shower gifts.

Add it to the registry:

	PlanToys Toy Wagon
Wee Gallery Art Cards for Baby
	Goat-Milk Long Sleeve and Baby Socks
The Letter Nest New York City Alphabet

Unisex baby shower

Do: Instead of focusing on blue or pink, host a name reveal instead of a gender reveal. Or try tie-dye as a group – have guests prepare onesies with rubber bands summer camp-style and dye them afterward.

Decorations: Set a cool, casual vibe by limiting your color palette to black, white, and graphic neutrals. Keep the feel understated but decidedly grown-up with fresh flowers and a lunch of salad, fish, and all the wine. Use the party as a time to organize a meal train for the new parents.

Add to the registry: neutrals that will work no matter how the baby identifies

	Quincy Mae Kimono Onesie
Bonpoint Rabbit Cuddly Toy
	Paperless Post Unisex Baby Shower invite

Woodland baby shower

Head into the woods for a shower that pairs the lush greenery of a woodland forest with the animal creatures that inhabit it. It feels sweet but not too cutesy and you can either take the party in an untamed “Where the Wild Things Are” vibe or a floral “Secret Garden” direction. We of courses have the woodland baby shower invitations to match both adventure-seekers or gardenistas. 

Do: Host lunch at home or make a reservation at a brunch place the expectant couple loves. If you’re feeling sentimental, ask guests to bring a favorite memory of the guest(s) of honor. Serve hedgehog, mushroom, or hand-painted floral cookies. 

Decorations: Focus on greens with nods to wild animals and wildflowers. Dress the table for the day with a garland, and keep things from getting too circus-y by limiting your animal kingdom to fawns, bears, swans, and rabbits.

Add to the registry: 

	Paperless Post Critter Creek Woodland Invite
Oeuf Bambi Hoodie

Sip-and-see baby shower

A sip-and-see is held after the baby is born, traditionally when friends come by to sip tea and see the newborn. This a great option if the new arrival makes an early entrance, or the timing of an adoption is uncertain. Host at least a few weeks after baby arrives to give everyone a little time to adjust to life as a family. While the sip and see invitation should feel fairly open-ended, keep visiting hours to a mid-morning or mid-afternoon window. 

Do: We like to think of a sip and see as a chic pajamas party in the middle of the day with an unpredictable guest of honor. Best to skip the baby shower games for this one. A midmorning party calls for a spread of bagels and lox with mimosas, and backyard grilling is a good option for a mid-afternoon gathering. 

Decorations: Nothing is as cute as a new baby, so don’t even try. 

Add to the registry: Bring mom useful gifts like a cozy pj set, a massage certificate, dry shampoo, or something deliciously indulgent like the stinky cheese she can finally eat again.

	Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set
ILIA Illuminator
Heyday Facial Gift Card

Sprinkle baby shower

Make it modern: A sprinkle is a mellow baby shower for your expectant friends that are already parents. Odd name, chill party—it’s usually smaller and more casual than the first time around. Give the guests of honor a few hours off-duty from parenting by hosting an adults-only afternoon. 

Do: Parents probably already own most of the essentials, so while a new outfit will certainly never hurt, rather than carving out time for gifts, consider a fun activity that allows guests to create something personal for the bebe. Try embroidery (give each guest a square of fabric to embroider before the party, then combine them all to make a small quilt) or tie-dye a set of onesies. 

Decorations: Simple flower arrangements from a service like Urban Stems or Farmgirl Flowers make it easy to order exactly what you want and have it delivered before the party.

Add to the registry: Throw practicality to the wind and go for something adorable parents wouldn’t buy themselves.

	Brock Collection for Paperless Post Kundry Baby Sprinkle Invite
Bonpoint Rabbit Cuddly Toy
	Mabo Cora Dress
CPC Childrenswear James Seersucker Shortall

Whether you’re hosting a bagels and lox pajama sip and see or a backyard couple’s shower, we’re all for sidestepping tradition in favor of relaxed comfort. Keep modern baby shower decorations simple, avoid anything overly precious, and focus on your time together. A few thoughtful and inventive touches are all you need to add personality to the party. Make it easy on guests by including the registry information on the invitation to save them the hassle of tracking it down on their own.

From elephant baby shower invitations to intimate sip and sees, we have baby shower invitations to fit any party.