How to Throw a Baby Shower Everyone Will Remember

Disclaimer: This is a pre-written guest post, published on behalf of The Bentley, Liverpool. All thoughts, opinions, and advice provided are those of the writer.

Skipped baby showers? Same here. I passed on them for my first two girls and stuck to a simple meet-the-baby cuppa once they’d arrived.

But when we found out we were expecting our rainbow child, my sister-in-law insisted on a celebration. No fuss, just joy. We swapped bunting overload for warm scones, good chat, and a few favourite faces. It was perfect.

Some parents-to-be are all for tea and cake in the lounge. Others imagine velvet tablecloths, champagne towers, maybe even a live sax solo. I’m firmly in the low-key camp, but whatever your vibe, the recipe for a brilliant baby shower is basically the same.

Here’s a fuss-free blueprint. Keep to these basics, and your shower will shine, whether you go full-on luxe or prefer something a little more cosy.

1. Choose a meaningful location

Home has its charm, right? It’s personal, familiar, and you can wear slippers if you fancy. But there’s something quietly freeing about hosting it elsewhere. A baby shower venue that’s already set up for guests, has a gorgeous view, comfy chairs, easy parking, and (crucially) more than one toilet? Game-changer. Especially if someone else is handling the setup while you’re busy feeling a bit weepy over tiny cute socks.

2. Size the guest list to suit your vibe

There’s no ideal number. After all, it’s about who makes you feel good. Some go for an intimate afternoon with five close friends, others want a full house. Mixed guest lists are becoming the norm, and kids pottering around often add more joy than chaos (especially if there’s room for them to do their own thing). The key is making sure you’ve got space to breathe, laugh, and sneak a scone uninterrupted.

3. Keep the food simple but special

I’ve been to showers with finger sandwiches, scones, grazing tables, and one with nothing but cake (which, honestly, was brilliant). The best ones had something in common: no one was flapping in the kitchen. If the food turns up without you lifting a finger, you’re already winning.

4. Don’t get carried away with extras

It’s easy to feel like you need games, decorations, and a big set-up. But honestly, you don’t. A nice table, a bit of music, maybe something sweet like a guestbook or photo corner are more than enough. No one’s coming for the paper straws or baby-themed bunting. They’re coming for you. Plus, if you are lucky enough to have a team already taking care of everything, why would you worry about anything at all?

5. Let it flow, and let go

You don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule. You don’t need to play host. And you definitely don’t need to spend the day half in the room, half checking whether the oven’s on. If you can hand the reins over, even just a bit, do. It makes a world of difference when someone else’s sorted the heating, seating, and glasses that actually match. That’s when you get to settle in, laugh too much, and be properly in the moment.

6. Timing is everything

Late morning or early afternoon usually works best. After breakfast, before the yawns set in. Keep it short and sweet, especially if there’ll be little ones or pregnant guests. Around two to three hours is the sweet spot: enough time for chatting, nibbling, and maybe a few photos, without everyone clock-watching or drifting off. Bonus points if there’s somewhere comfy for a sit-down when feet get tired.

7. Make space for real chats

Some of the best moments at mine weren’t during the toast or the games; they were the quiet chats with friends I hadn’t seen in ages. Make sure there’s space to sit and talk without shouting over music or juggling plates on your lap. Somewhere calm and cosy helps people open up, and those little catch-ups end up being what you remember most.

8. Think about photos (just a bit)

You don’t need a professional photographer, but it’s lovely to have a few photos that aren’t blurry or half-covered by someone’s thumb. Ask a friend to take a few snaps or have a simple backdrop with decent lighting. If you’re in a place with big windows and pretty views, half the work’s already done.

However you do it, big or small, sparkling or simple, there’s something really special about pressing pause and celebrating the little life that’s on the way. Just bring the people who make you feel good, and enjoy being surrounded by love. That’s the bit that stays with you forever.