Not everyone wants or needs a big baby shower. Here are 10 alternatives to a baby shower – there’s really something for everyone!
Baby Shower Alternatives
When I was expecting my first baby I had four Baby Showers!
Yep, four!
I’ve found it is pretty customary to have multiple showers for your first baby. And big- all-out traditional baby showers at that!
But what happens when you have baby number two, three or even six?
A lot of people don’t want to have a baby shower after their first but I believe every baby should be celebrated!
Maybe you don’t have to have a huge baby shower, but it is always fun to get together with friends and family and celebrate your little miracle, right?
So what do you do for a loved one when they don’t want or need another baby shower?
There are so many fun alternatives out there!
Baby Shower for Second Baby
Baby Sprinkle
A Baby Sprinkle is a fun alternative for a shower. A sprinkle is low-key and laid-back.
Think casual invitations, no games, light refreshments or desserts. It’s the perfect way to get together with friends without all the fuss.
Dinner Party
Grab a small group of gal pals and go out to dinner to celebrate.
Gifts are of course optional but always appreciated. You can make it more special by bringing small vases of flowers for the tables, and party favors for the guests.
Everyone should be responsible for paying for their own meal- just make sure someone picks up the tab for the mom-to-be!
Book Drive
Have each guest bring their favorite child’s book as a gift.
They can write a special note to the mom in the front cover which will in turn be a great treasure for the baby in the future.
This could be in place of regular gifts for a “baby sprinkle” or if you decided to go out to dinner instead.
Diaper Shower
This would come in handy if the mom-to-be already has multiple children and not in need of more clothes or baby accessories.
Have each gift bring a pack of diapers and\or wipes. You could even have a diaper raffle to make it even more fun and interactive. Make sure you check out our free diaper raffle printables!
Most guests would love to contribute to something practical!
Freezer Meal Shower
Gather together a group of friends and family and plan on making freezer meals for the guest of honor.
This would take some extra planning but it would be well worth it.
It would be good to come up with six freezer meal recipes and plan on making two batches of each.
Instead of gifts- ask each guest to bring an ingredient or two for the meals.
Don’t forget foil, freezer-friendly pans, a freezer to bring the meals home in and all utensils you made need to make them.
Then invite the mom-to-be and have her either join in on the fun of making the meals or let her sit back and relax while she watches her loved ones help prepare them!
Here are some more details on how to throw a freezer meal baby shower.
Pamper Day
Take the guest of honor out for a pedicure, massage, lunch or to the movies. Instead of gifts- pay her way for any and all activities.
Or give her a gift certificate to do those fun things for when after the baby arrives!
This would be great for a one-on-one activity or smaller group with her closest friends.
Service Project
Some moms truly do not want any fuss or any gifts of any kind.
For this mom, a service project might the perfect way to honor and celebrate their new arrival.
Look in your area for local shelters, children’s hospital or foster care center who may need donated baby items. You can come up with a list on Amazon for people to contribute to make it easy for family and friends to help.
Here are some other fun ideas:
- Tie fleece blankets
- Crochet baby hats
- Make freezer meals for people you know
- Food Drive
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen or the Ronald McDonald House
- Book Drive for a library, children’s center or underprivileged elementary school
Date Night Shower
This goes along with a dinner party- but get spouses together and go out to dinner and enjoy the last date night without baby in tow.
I think this would be a lot of fun with anyone who has more than one kid and may not get to go out as frequently – and it involves dad as well. You could even arrange the childcare for the evening!
Co-Ed Shower
Guests have the chance to create “Honey-Do” lists of advice for the expecting parents.
Gifts may include anything that reminds the expecting mama (and her partner) to take some time for themselves like a gift certificate for a massage, pedicure, a restaurant or the movies or gifts such as lotions or bath salts.
Or find out from the mama if their is a gift both she and her partner could use like a diaper bag or carrier that both mom and dad would want to use!
Craft Showers
This would be perfect for the crafty group of friends.
You could get together to make bows, bow-ties, burp cloths or receiving blankets or tye-dye onesies or make any other items that the baby might need or enjoy.
Here are some fun Cricut Baby Shower ideas that might be fun to do at this!
Gabriela says
A diaper shower! That is such a great idea and so practical. I absolutely love it.
Some moms aren’t too keen on baby showers, but all these ideas are great
Katie says
Thank you!
Chelsea says
These are all such fun ideas! I had two baby showers with my first, a diaper shower with my second, and a baby shower with my third. But I would’ve loved going to brunch or a movie with my girl friends, too!