In this article
While a lot of people love baby showers for the cute decorations, the community, the games, and of course, the presents, not everyone is on the same page and that should be respected. Perhaps you are the type of person who has always hated attending baby showers — and certainly don’t want to attend your own. Whatever the reason, read on for some alternative baby shower ideas — after all, baby showers are not the only way to celebrate a new baby.
Not everyone wants a baby shower
While it could be that you just don’t like baby showers, sometimes people have other valid reasons for opting out of a baby shower. You might have time constraints, health reasons, or prefer minimalism and don’t need a bunch of things.
Plus, there are plenty of cultures that do not believe in throwing baby showers. For example, it’s considered back luck in Japan to celebrate before the baby is born. They celebrate after with an Oshichiya, a baby naming ceremony that’s an intimate gathering with food and gifts.
Baby sprinkles, sip and sees, and other small gatherings
But if you’re OK with attending in-person events, please get vaccinated and boosted and follow proper safety protocols. “If you must do something in person, consider getting COVID tested before and after visiting,” pediatrician Steph Lee told Mom.com. “Even if you’re vaccinated because of the infectiousness of current variants, pay attention to local health guidelines such as masking indoors.”
1) Consider small, intimate gatherings
It’s become so important to truly connect with our friends and loved ones after spending so much of the past two years in isolation. Event design and planner Nancy Park explained to us that a baby shower should be more than just opening up presents and playing outdated games.
“Let’s take this time to pamper mama and celebrate her friendship,” said Park. “Small gatherings with more thoughtful activities focused on the mom were always my preference, even pre-COVID.”
2) Baby sprinkle
Think of a baby sprinkle as baby shower lite. The whole party can be casual — from the invitations to the refreshments to the gathering itself. No need for a full meal or games, it’s just a time for you to enjoy your loved ones and perhaps open some gifts.
3) Sip and see
A sip and see is held after the baby is born. Basically, friends and family come over at the same time to meet the new baby. More to celebrate the baby rather than the mom, it allows new parents to introduce everyone to their new addition in one fell swoop rather than in multiple individual visits. Again, because of the pandemic, please take appropriate safety precautions.
Let’s go virtual: showers and celebrations
Considering that we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, folks are justifiably leery about meeting in person and wish to protect pregnant people from COVID. If you are looking for safer alternatives to an in-person baby shower, virtual showers are one easy way to go.
4) Virtual baby showers or celebrations
Like so many life events, celebrating the baby can be done online. Pretty much based on the traditional in-person baby shower, virtual baby showers can be a great option for folks who actually like baby showers but just don’t feel comfortable meeting in person.
“The best way to keep that feeling of connection with friends and family is to mail materials or activities beforehand that can be completed together the day of the shower, such as blank onesies with clothing markers, bingo sheets, or quick bake items,” suggested Dr. Lee.
You can also adapt baby sprinkles and sip and sees to the online space!
Additional activities you can do instead
However, if it’s the actual shower itself that is not to your taste, thankfully there are other ways to celebrate an expectant mother!
5) A day of overindulgence
Who doesn’t like to be pampered? “We have done spa/nail days, cooking classes, tastings, a getaway with a resort pool, activities like bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth) or bouquet/wreath making,” suggested Park.
Some of Park’s clients’ friends have pooled money they would have spent on the shower for a makeover and maternity shoot. Another client had a session at a music studio where the mama and friends recorded singing not only songs to the baby — but also songs for themselves to enjoy.
6) Reuse, reduce, recycle
The baby industry is huge and some people want to be more minimalist as well as reduce their carbon footprint. “I’ve seen people request used or regifted items so as not to support the ridiculousness of the baby industry,” writer Minna Dubin told Mom.com.
7) Donating to families in need
For expectant parents who may not need any gifts for themselves or their baby, they can choose to have guests donate to pregnancy centers, foster family resource rooms, orphanages, or local women’s shelters. If you are meeting in person, you can also make time to create clean birth kits for women who don’t have access to certain resources.
