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What is Baby Shower? Free Tools

Plain answers · real numbers

Baby showers —
actually answered.

A free budget + timeline planner, decisive etiquette (no more “it depends”), and traditions for every kind of family. Fast, free, no sign-up.

Every number, week, and rule here is backed by a cited source — not guessed.
A mom-to-be opening gifts with friends at a baby shower

In short

What is a baby shower?

A baby shower is a party to celebrate an expected (or newborn) baby and support the parents-to-be — usually with gifts, food, and games. In the US it's most often held in the early third trimester (~28–32 weeks), hosted by a friend or relative, for 10–25 guests on a $150–$600 budget. Modern showers take many forms — co-ed, sprinkles, sip-and-sees — and traditions vary by culture.

Why you can trust this

Independent, and showing our work

Melih Koray

Built, run and edited by Melih Koray — Graphic designer & design educator · LinkedIn ↗. Every ruling and number is checked against cited sources; every planner passes our Two-Source Verification check. Our editorial policy →

Where the planners are

78 vetted baby shower planners, across 14 countries

Every planner is cross-checked against at least two independent sources, with reviews shown per platform and real contact details. Ranking is never for sale. Tap a country to see its list, top-verified first.

8 United States 7 Canada 6 United Kingdom 5 Ireland 6 India 5 Singapore 3 Malaysia 6 Philippines 6 Australia 3 New Zealand 7 United Arab Emirates 6 Turkey 5 South Africa 5 Mexico

Browse all 78 vetted planners →

Run a baby shower service? Get listed — free →

Free tools · no sign-up

Do the planning, free

Budget + Timeline Planner Estimate cost for your guest count, and get a due-date timeline. Printable Games Word scramble, word search & bingo. Print or save as PDF. Guest List Builder Track invites, RSVPs, gifts & thank-yous. Saves & exports. Welcome Banner Maker Personalize a welcome baby banner with the name, download high-res to print. Invitation Wording Fill in the details, get ready-to-send wording in six styles. Free Printables Signs, keepsake cards, diaper raffle & favor tags. Print or save PDF.

See all tools →

Free tool · copyright-free

Make a baby shower banner

Type the name, pick a look, download a high-res PNG. Free to use and print — no sign-up.

✓ Copyright-free

Copyright-free — free to use and print at any size, personal or commercial. Each download keeps a small whatisbabyshower.com credit in the corner. The PNG downloads at print resolution.

Open the full banner maker →

Everything you need, in plain answers

Start here

When to have it

The best week — and why 28–32 is the sweet spot.

How much it costs

Real 2026 budget tiers, plus a calculator.

Who hosts & the rules

Decisive etiquette — can mom host? (Yes.)

How much to spend (gift)

By relationship — friend, coworker, family.

Types of showers

Sprinkle, co-ed, sip & see, diaper party…

Traditions worldwide

Godh bharai, sip-and-see, and more.

Find a planner

Vetted planners worldwide — reviews & contacts.

A quick guide

The baby shower, start to finish

New to this? Here’s the whole thing in eight steps — tap any step for the full details.

  1. 1 Pick the week Aim for 28–32 weeks — early third trimester, ~8–10 weeks before the due date.
  2. 2 Set a budget Most showers run $150–$600. Get a personalised estimate from the free planner.
  3. 3 Sort out who hosts A friend or relative — and yes, the mom’s own family can host too.
  4. 4 Invite the guests Ready-to-send invitation wording, plus a guest-list & RSVP tracker.
  5. 5 Choose a theme & décor Backdrop, balloons, table styling — pick one look and keep it simple.
  6. 6 Plan food & cake Roughly $4–$10 per guest DIY, $15–$25 catered. Add a cake or dessert table.
  7. 7 Pick games & activities A couple of not-cringe games — print them free, no sign-up.
  8. 8 Gifts, favors & thank-yous What guests spend, a registry, small favors, and quick thank-you notes.

Read the full planning guide →

No hedging

The questions everyone Googles — answered straight

Can the mom (or her family) host her own baby shower? Yes. Modern etiquette says anyone close to the parents can host — including a sister, mom, or mother-in-law — as long as there's a real reason. The old “family shouldn't host” taboo is outdated. Source: Emily Post Institute
Do you bring a gift to a baby sprinkle? Yes — but smaller. A “sprinkle” (for a second or later baby) is lower-key; think practical consumables like diapers and wipes rather than big-ticket items. See: Types of baby showers

See every etiquette answer — who pays, dress code, second baby →

Baby shower FAQs

What is a baby shower?
A baby shower is a celebration — usually held before the birth — where friends and family gather to welcome a new baby and "shower" the expectant parent(s) with gifts, advice, and support. It typically includes food, games, and gift-opening, and is most often hosted in the early third trimester.
Who is supposed to host a baby shower?
Anyone close to the parents can host. Under modern Emily Post etiquette, even immediate family (a sister, mom, or mother-in-law) may host if there's a legitimate reason — the old "family shouldn't host" rule is outdated.
When should you have a baby shower?
Most are held in the early third trimester, around 28–32 weeks — roughly 8–10 weeks before the due date. That's late enough to celebrate a real bump, early enough to avoid an early arrival.
How much does a baby shower cost?
Most US baby showers cost $150–$600, depending on guest count, food, and venue. Food runs about $4–$10 per guest for DIY or $15–$25 catered. Use our Planner above for a personalized estimate.
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
It scales with closeness: $50–$100+ for a close friend or family, $20–$50 for a coworker, $20–$30 for an acquaintance. Group gifts let people combine for a big registry item.
Are the banners and printables copyright-free?
Yes — the banner maker, printables, and games are copyright-free. Use and print them however you like, for a personal party or commercially. Downloads simply keep a small whatisbabyshower.com credit in the corner.