Planning a Baby Shower? Here’s What to Keep in Mind 🎈🍼
Your little bundle is on the way, and you’re starting to think about planning a baby shower... how exciting! Whether you're organising it yourself or handing the reins to a trusted friend or family member, here are a few practical tips from the team at Dimples to help you get started (and enjoy the process too!).
Set the date 🗓️
First things first - let’s lock in a date. Somewhere around the 7-month mark is a great time to host your shower. It gives you a nice buffer before baby arrives, and time afterward to sort through gifts and plan what else you might need.
When it comes to timing, think about the style of event you’re going for. Is it a brunch with bubbles? A mid-afternoon tea? Three hours is a good ballpark to aim for — just enough time to relax and celebrate without anyone feeling rushed.
Sort the guest list ✉️
There are no rules here — it’s entirely up to you who you’d like to share the day with. It could be a small group of close friends, a wider celebration with extended whānau, or even something co-ed with kids in tow.
💡 Tip: Give guests around five weeks’ notice to RSVP. That way, there’s plenty of time for people to plan (and pick a thoughtful gift!).
A fun trend that’s growing in popularity is the Baby-Q — a relaxed afternoon BBQ where friends and family bring a plate and celebrate outdoors with the parents-to-be. Easy, casual, and no balloon arches required.
Choose a theme (or don’t!) 🎉
You don’t need to go all out — unless you want to. Soft colours, simple tableware, a few bunches of flowers, and a cake can be all you need to make it feel special. That said, if you’ve been dreaming of a balloon garland or photo wall, go for it! Just keep in mind you’ll be the one packing it down at the end… or enlisting a very helpful friend 😉
Plan your catering 🍰☕️
Food is always a highlight, so think about what your guests might be expecting based on the time of day. A mid-morning gathering could be light and lovely with fresh fruit, muffins, and a hot cuppa. A midday shower might lean more toward grazing boards and savoury bites.
If your guest list is small, you might feel happy preparing the food yourself. For a bigger crowd, consider asking a few friends to bring a plate — or treat yourself and hire a caterer so you can relax and enjoy the moment.
Gift planning made simple 🎁
One of the loveliest parts of a baby shower is the chance for your people to help you prepare, with practical, beautiful gifts you’ll genuinely use.
We recommend making a list of the essentials you’re still needing, and thinking about how you’d like to share that with your guests. Some people prefer a wishlist, while others like to keep it open-ended.
📝 Check out our Dimples Gift Registry — it’s an easy way to select what you need and share it with guests, no awkward asking required. You can also use our baby essentials checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Most importantly… enjoy it! 💛
This is a celebration of you, your baby, and this incredibly special moment in your life. Whether it’s big or small, fancy or casual — surround yourself with people who lift you up, wear something that makes you feel good, and enjoy a slice of cake (or two).
You deserve to be celebrated.
