Learn how to host an online baby shower for a mom-to-be that isn’t able to attend a baby shower in person, whether because of social distancing, self isolation, bed rest or other reasons. A fun baby shower is still possible even if it’s not face-to-face.
Why Host an Online Baby Shower?
There are so many reasons to host an online baby shower vs. a face-to-face shower. The most common reason in the next few months is, of course, social distancing. We don’t want our moms-to-be to become ill, especially as their due dates approach.
But there are many other reasons to host an online shower. Your loved ones may be stretched out on opposite sides of the country, and unable to get together for a face-to-face shower. Likewise, the mom-to-be may have been put on bed rest, making attending a face-to-face baby shower impossible.
Luckily, in this age of technology, a virtual get together is not only possible, but relatively simple to organize! Read on for easy tips on how to host an online baby shower!
How to Host an Online Baby Shower
Choosing a Hosting Platform for your Virtual Shower
There are many options for hosting your online baby shower.
Perhaps the easiest would be to simply use Facebook messenger to video chat with a number of people. Facebook is one of the most commonly used social media platforms and most of your guests will already have accounts and be familiar with the messenger app. This is particularly useful older guests, who may not be technologically savy.
Other options for a virtual baby shower could include Google Hangouts, Skype or Zoom. The choice is yours, but do be ready for some trouble shooting to make sure all your guests are able to access your platform of choice. Know that older guests, especially, may need a little hand holding to get set up on the platform.
Invitations for a Virtual Baby Shower
Because of the nature of a virtual baby shower, an online invitation, be it e-mailed or sent on Facebook, is appropriate.
However, if you love pretty snail mail invitations, don’t be afraid to send them out as well! Just because the gathering is virtual doesn’t mean you can’t go all out for the things you enjoy.
A good compromise might be an e-mailed invitation with a gorgeous graphic (easy to create yourself on sites like Canva.com). That way, you can add a link to your platform to make it easily accessible to your guests.
Online Baby Shower Decorations
While decorations are nice, it can be tricky to decorate for a shower that you aren’t going to be physically present for.
If there is a local friend or family member (even the dad-to-be) is able to decorate for the shower at the mom-to-be’s home, that would be lovely. If not, you could mail a few cute decorations to the mom-to-be as a gesture.
Remember that since the shower is online, you’ll only need a few decorations to go on the wall behind the guest of honour. No need to decorate an entire room!
Welcome Guests/Ice Breakers for Online Showers
Traditional ways of welcoming guests probably won’t work at an online baby shower. Simply making a short welcoming statement at the beginning of the shower is all you need to do.
Likewise, for ice breakers (who really likes them anyway?) you could simply have your guests introduce themselves and explain their connection to the mother-to-be. Another choice would be for each guest to share a funny story about the mom-to-be. This will give everyone a chance to get involved, rather than being passive viewers of the baby shower.
Online Baby Shower Game Ideas
Games for an online baby shower don’t have to be that different than a face-to-face shower.
Obviously some games, like melting chocolate bars in diapers is not going to work. You’ll want to skip games that have props that your guests need to touch (or smell).
However, most paper based games will work just find if you are able to e-mail a PDF file to your guests ahead of time. Simply ask guests to print off the PDF files and have them on hand during the party.
For instance, baby shower bingo is an easy game to facilitate. Each guest simply prints off a bingo sheet and fills in each square with a gift she thinks the mom-to-be will open. Whichever guest fills in a line first wins a prize.
Another activity that is not necessarily a game is to guests record their wishes for baby. They can mail or email the wishes to the new mom to read later.
Prizes for Virtual Baby Showers
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The easiest way to dole out prizes to your winners is to simply do online gift cards. The other alternative would be to ship items in the mail (if you have Amazon Prime, you can save a bundle on shipping costs!).
Online Baby Shower Gifts
Gifts at an online baby shower are easy peasy. An Amazon baby registry makes sending gifts from across the world so simple. Be sure that your mom-to-be signs up for an Amazon baby registry.
Did you know that the mom-to-be will also receive a welcome box worth over $35, just for registering (once at least one gift has been purchased from the registry).
Your guests may want to ship items directly to the new mom’s address (and with Amazon Prime you’ll be able to shop last minute and still be on time!), but I think it’s extra special to have the gifts sent to the guests, who can then beautifully wrap them before sending them on to the guest of honour. The choice is yours, but extra-beautifully wrapped gifts make a baby shower extra special.
Be sure to encourage guests to ship their items in plently of time before the virtual baby shower. The best part of any baby shower, including an online baby shower, is opening the gifts!
Food for an Online Baby Shower
Because of the nature of a virtual baby shower, you can’t really share food like at a traditional face-to-face shower.
However, you may want to organize some food for your guest of honour, the mom-to-be. I think a small, but beautifully decorated cake is appropriate. You could ask a local guest to arrange the pick-up and delivery of the cake, or inquire if a local baker makes deliveries.
Favours for an Online Baby Shower
If you are up for it, mailing a small package of goodies to each of your guests is a super sweet gesture. It’s really not necessary to do so, but makes a lovely gesture!
Well, I hope that helps you figure out how to plan an online baby shower that is epic!
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