Moms and babies deserve to be celebrated in a way that feels joyful, not stressful. Planning a baby shower doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It really comes down to starting early and focusing on what matters most, instead of trying to do everything at once. Whether you’re a mom-to-be planning your own shower or helping a friend or family member, keeping things simple makes a big difference.

Having helped plan a few baby showers myself, I’ve noticed the smoothest ones all had one thing in common. They were realistic. One of my closest friends even told me that having a checklist made her feel calmer and more confident as the day approached. If you’re not sure where to start, this checklist breaks everything down step by step. It shows you what to plan, when to plan it, and how to stay organized without the stress, so you can focus on creating a baby shower that feels thoughtful, relaxed, and genuinely special.

The Baby Shower Checklist

Pick the Shower Style First (Before You Plan Anything Else)

I know from experience that buying decor and scrolling through baby shower games is the fun part. It’s very tempting to start there. But before you do, it really helps to pause and decide what kind of shower you’re actually planning. This step usually takes just a few minutes, but it sets the foundation for the rest of your baby shower checklist and saves a lot of second-guessing later.

When I say “style,” I don’t just mean colors or decorations. I mean the overall vibe of the day. That could look like a cozy brunch at home, a casual backyard baby shower, a modern co-ed gathering with light bites, or a traditional women-only shower with structured games and gift opening. Getting clear on this upfront makes everything else fall into place. If you’d like a few examples to look through, this list of the cutest baby shower themes is a helpful place to start.

When you’re clear on the overall style, every other decision gets easier. You’ll know what to skip, what to keep simple, and where to put your energy. It also helps you decide whether you want to plan everything yourself or ask a few people to help with food, setup, or games.

Here are the questions that matter most when you’re figuring out the kind of baby shower you’re hosting:

• Is the shower women-only or co-ed?
• Does the mom-to-be want games, or would she rather just mingle and eat?
• Will gifts be opened during the shower, later in private, or not at all?
• Are you planning light snacks and drinks, or a full meal?
• Does she want something photo-friendly and styled, or relaxed and low-key?
• How long should the shower realistically last?
  

Once you answer these questions, you’ll know exactly what you’re planning. After that, choosing decor, food, and activities feels much more manageable since everything is guided by one clear idea.

Click here to get our list of the best food ideas for a baby shower.

Lock in the Basics

This section is simply about locking in the big decisions so everything else has something solid to build on. I’ve learned that keeping all your plans in one place makes a huge difference. One of my friends uses a labeled notebook, while I stick to a very basic Google Sheet. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be something you’ll actually use.

• Choose the date and location. Check the date with the mom-to-be first, then secure the venue. That could be a restaurant, event space, backyard, or someone’s home.
• Set a clear budget. Decide how much you’re comfortable spending before you start planning decor or food. A set number keeps small purchases from quietly piling up.
• Create the guest list. Work with the mom-to-be to finalize who’s invited. This number impacts your venue, food quantities, seating, and overall budget, so it’s important to settle early.
• Confirm the registry. Make sure it’s active and easy to find. Ask the mom-to-be when she wants it shared so guests aren’t left wondering what she actually needs.

• Choose how the invites will go out. Pick one method, whether that’s digital, email, group text, or printed cards. If you need inspiration, this list of baby shower invitation ideas can help you narrow things down.
• Pick one or two reliable helpers. Identify people who can assist with setup, food, or cleanup later. You don’t need to assign tasks yet. Just knowing who’s in your corner makes the whole process feel lighter.

Get the Details Ready

Around two to three weeks before the shower, the focus shifts from planning to action. The big decisions are already made, so this stage is about handling the practical details and getting everything lined up behind the scenes. Taking care of these logistics now gives you plenty of breathing room later.

• Send out the invitations. Whether you’re using digital invites, email, text, or printed cards, this is the moment to get them out. Double-check that all the key details are clearly included so guests don’t need to follow up with questions.
• Track RSVPs in one place. Start a simple headcount list as responses come in. You don’t need final numbers yet, but having a rough idea of attendance helps you plan food, seating, and supplies with more confidence.
• Plan food quantities. With RSVPs trickling in, you can now adjust quantities and decide whether anything needs to be ordered or prepped ahead of time. This is also when you can note dietary preferences or allergies, so nothing gets overlooked. If you’re working with a budget, you can check out this list of affordable baby shower food ideas.  

• Decide on games or light activities. Now’s the time to decide exactly what you’re including so you can gather or prep materials. Keep it realistic. One or two easy options is usually enough. Simple crowd-pleasers like Diaper Pong, Bottle Chug, or a Pacifier Hunt add fun without the fuss. If you want more ideas to choose from, check out my full list of baby shower games you’ll actually want to play.

• Start buying supplies. This is the time to purchase everything that isn’t perishable. Go ahead and pick up balloons, hand pump, tablecloths, decor pieces, tape, scissors, extension cords, and even practical extras like trash bags and paper goods. Getting all non-food items out of the way now means you won’t be running around for random things the week of the shower.
• Order anything custom. Place orders for cakes, themed decor, rentals, or personalized items. Custom pieces often require extra lead time, and getting them secured now protects you from rush fees or limited availability closer to the event.

Prep Week

At this point, the focus is simply making sure everything feels organized, and nothing gets overlooked. This isn’t the time to add new ideas, since last-minute changes tend to create more stress than excitement.

• Confirm final guest count. Reach out to anyone who hasn’t responded and lock in your official number.
• Finalize the food plan and write a detailed grocery list. Lock in exactly what’s being served and in what quantities based on your final guest count. Break your list down by recipe so you don’t miss small but essential ingredients. 
• Shop for perishable food items and last-minute needs. Pick up fresh produce, dairy, bakery items, and drinks close enough to the event so everything stays fresh. This is also your moment to do one final scan of your list and fill any gaps.
• Assign clear, bite-sized tasks to helpers. Instead of asking for general help, assign specific roles. One person can handle drinks, another can manage games, and someone else can help with setup or cleanup. This keeps the day running smoothly without constant check-ins.
• Map out the physical setup. Decide where food will be served, where gifts will be placed, and how seating will be arranged. Think about traffic flow so guests aren’t crowding one area. Even a simple sketch makes setup faster and less stressful.

Setup + Party Day

Doing even a little setup the day before makes a huge difference. It takes pressure off the actual shower day, letting you focus on hosting instead of scrambling. If you’re hosting at home, this is especially helpful because it keeps the space feeling calm and ready when guests arrive.

Day Before the Baby Shower

• Set up decor and tables as much as possible. Put tables in their final spots, arrange chairs, and set out tablecloths or runners. If you’re using balloons, signage, or a backdrop, assemble anything that won’t deflate or shift overnight.
• Prep food that holds well overnight. Wash and cut fruits or veggies and store them in airtight containers, portion cheeses and crackers for charcuterie boards, or bake desserts. If anyone is helping the next day, label containers so it’s clear what goes on which table.

• Stage all your supplies ahead of time. Set up games, crafts, and activity stations where they’ll be used and group everything together so nothing gets misplaced. Place platters, serving utensils, and drink dispensers within easy reach, then do a quick tidy of the area.

Morning of Baby Shower

• Chill drinks and set out snacks. Get beverages into the fridge or ice buckets early so everything’s cold, then set out easy-to-grab snacks and clearly labeled drinks near the entrance so early arrivals can help themselves right away.

• Add final touches and do a quick walkthrough. Light candles, fluff pillows, straighten signage, and check that game stations and tables are fully stocked. Walk through the space once so you can catch anything that feels off.
• Relax and enjoy the moment. At this point, everything important is done. Pour yourself a drink, grab a snack, and actually be present. You planned this party, so you deserve to enjoy it too.

After the Shower

Once everyone leaves, it’s completely normal to want to drop everything and rest. Do that first if you need to. Still, a quick wrap-up while things are fresh makes the next steps much easier, especially when it comes to thank-you notes.

• Wrap up the gift record. If someone tracked gifts during the shower, review the list and add anything that might be missing. If not, jot down gifts and names while everything is still visible or easy to recall.
• Gather and share photos. Ask guests to send any photos they took and create a shared album or folder. This makes it easy for the mom-to-be to save memories and for guests to relive the day.

• Send thank-you notes. There’s no rush to do this immediately. Once things settle, handwritten notes, digital cards, or simple messages all work. What matters most is that they’re thoughtful and personal.
• Pack up decor, leftovers, and borrowed items. Sort everything into keep, donate, return, or store. Set aside keepsakes, store or share leftover food, and gather anything that needs to go back to a friend or venue.

Final Thoughts

This baby shower checklist isn’t meant to be followed perfectly or word-for-word. It’s a reference you can come back to when you need reassurance or a reminder of what actually needs attention. I’ve seen how much easier planning feels when everything lives in one place, and how much more present you can be on the day when nothing is floating around in your head.

Got a baby shower tip you swear by? Share it below. And if a friend is planning, send them this baby shower checklist so they can skip the overwhelm.