Trying to figure out the best time to have a baby shower can be difficult. Balancing schedules, planning activities, and trying to do all this in a very narrow window of opportunity can feel so overwhelming.
Planning a baby shower should be a beautiful celebration of a new life and growing family, but it definitely should not be stressful!
To help eliminate some of this stress we have put together a quick guide to show how to pick the date, venue, and schedule so you can get back to enjoying the planning!
In this article
When Is The Best Time For A Baby Shower?
Ok, so this can be a tricky one to answer. Most people agree that the best time to have a baby shower is between 24 and 32 weeks which is around six to eight months.
Your schedule is going to depend on a few different factors including invited guests, time of year, and of course any preference with regard to date and time that the mom-to-be might have.
Things To Think About Before Booking A Venue
The venues that are available to you will be determined by how many guests you plan on inviting. If you are thinking of a small intimate gathering it could be at the hostess’s house or event the home of the parents to be.
If you do decide to go ahead with a baby shower at the parents to be home, the hostess should take note and ensure that there is sufficient help at the end of the shower to tidy up and put everything back as you found it.
There are a wealth of potential places that you could host a baby shower at. But one important thing is that you keep in mind the wishes of the parents to be and that your venue is suitable for any activities that you may have planned.
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Setting A Date And Time For Your Baby Shower
The host of the baby shower will have different things to consider including the due date, seasonal issues, and the preferred time of the baby shower if there is one.
Seasonal Factors That Need To Be Considered
Certain seasons are going to be more difficult to arrange a baby shower than others. For instance, the holiday season is going to be one of those times when it is going to be especially difficult to find a time when everyone is available.
If the baby shower does fall in a particularly busy season then you could try using a digital scheduling tool to get friends and family organized.
Spring and summer are a great time of year to think about an outdoor baby shower, but picking the right day is key to its success.
Too hot or too cold and you could potentially yet up with a very unhappy heavily pregnant lady on your hands. And remember that the weather doesn’t always go with your plans so it may be worth thinking of some sort of shelter – just in case.
Try to avoid planning a shower around other special events for the mom to be such as her birthday. Let that day be all about her and not about her baby.
Best Time Of Week For A Baby Shower
The vast majority of baby showers happen at the weekend. This is usually because fewer guests will have work schedules to consider meaning more people will be able to attend.
Saturdays and Sundays are also the traditional days to have a baby shower, so more traditional moms will more than likely prefer this option.
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Of course, if you are fortunate to have the vast majority of your friends and family available during the week and your weekends are typically really busy, you could always go ahead and host the baby shower on a weekday.
If this is something you are going to do then make sure that you give guests plenty of notice of your chosen date. This gives people plenty of time to plan ahead.
Best Time Of Day For A Baby Shower
The traditional and classic time to host a baby shower is lunchtime. But recently this tradition has given way to several other options.
Many women are preferring to have their shower a little later in the day and make it a lovely tea party. While others are choosing to move theirs to earlier in the day and making it brunch.
Another great and unusual option is to have a happy hour baby shower where you can serve mocktails and watch the sunset.
Unfortunately, you will never be able to get everyone’s schedules to fit together.
But if you do have a friend or family member that is not in town for the baby shower, no need to worry they can still join the party via Facetime, Skype, or Zoom. All of which are inexpensive ways to ensure all the VIPs are present.
FAQs
How long before your due date should you have a baby shower?
Baby showers are typically held four to six weeks before the baby’s due date. They are late enough that the pregnancy is far enough along but early enough to avoid an untimely arrival.
Who is supposed to throw a baby shower?
Most baby showers are hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend
Is 35 weeks too late for a baby shower?
This should be perfectly fine as you still have a few weeks before the impending birth. This time scale would also allow you to finish purchasing anything that you still need after your baby shower.
How much does a baby shower cost?
This varies greatly and depends on the number of guests, the location, the food, and other considerations. A typical baby shower can easily cost between $100 to $1000.
The Final Thought
Planning a baby shower can be hard work. We get it. But there is one very important thing that you must remember through it all and that is what the mom-to-be wants.
At the end of the baby shower, she feels like all her closest family and friends have truly celebrated her and her impending birth.
