While we all sit in limbo over when we will be gathering in large groups again, there are still ways to celebrate! Whether you are the mother-to-be or the baby shower hostess, you can start planning a marvelous baby shower without worrying about breaking gathering guidelines. There’s also the added bonus of not being surrounded by an overwhelmingly large group of not-quite-close-friends for an entire afternoon!

You have options, and each one can include as little or as much socializing as you’d like.

Planning a Socially Distanced Baby Shower

Start with your guest list and consider a date that allows ample time for multiple ‘groups’ to shower the mom-to-be. Once you have this narrowed down, it’s time to choose the venue. You may want to stick to a decorated backyard or driveway, but you don’t have to. You can reserve a patio at a local cafe or utilize an office at work for coworkers to partake.

Outdoor Gathering

Depending on the weather, an outdoor baby shower is 100% the way to go. Again, it can be at home or at a venue, but that fresh air will help keep everyone healthy! The options here are endless:

Neighborhood Tailgate - All of your neighbors and friends provide their own tailgating chairs and remain socially distanced while chatting with the mom-to-be. Gifts can be opened and long-distanced hugs can be shared.

Garden Party - Think ‘Fairy Tea Party’ only grown-up style. Set up small tables around the yard and offer finger foods and afternoon tea. Guests can be slotted a time to attend so that gathering guidelines are adhered to.

Swing-By Shower

Utilize a sign-up genius so guests are allotted their time slot to ‘swing by’ and visit. Depending on comfort levels, this can be as few as one friend at a time or up to a handful. We recommend saving gifts to be opened afterward or requesting they not be wrapped as to not spend the entire time unwrapping and not making the time count.

This method is perfect for a baby shower thrown at work.

Drive-By Diaper Sprinkle

If it isn’t Baby #1, consider hosting a ‘diaper parade’ that will fill the closet with enough diapers to last several months! Friends can drive by and stop in the driveway for a few minutes to catch up, enjoy a dessert, take a picture, and hand off some diapers.

Book and Basket Fairies

Building a library for a baby is so much fun. Instead of cards, ask guests to purchase their favorite childhood book and leave a note on the inside cover. They can stash the book within a basket filled with any fun items or supplies they love for Mom or Baby.

Here’s where it gets fun. Each ‘fairy’ (guest) gets to surprise the mom-to-be by leaving the basket on the doorstep and sneaking away without getting caught. Bonus Points: Everyone dresses up as fairies to drop their baskets off!

Zoom calls should be set up so Mom can personally thank and spend time with everyone who partakes!