A virtual baby shower isn’t a new idea, it has been around for years, mainly done by people who live too far from each other in different countries or even continets but still want to do something special for the mum to be and celebrate her pregnancy. Unfortunately we have found ourselves in this absolutely crazy time when the in person baby shower is not an option. But just because you have to self isolate doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice time and create some special memories. Here are a few tips on how to start to prepare for your virtual baby shower :-)

Who should host?

You can either host yourself or if you just want to ‘turn up’ you can ask a close friend or a family member to organise everything for you.

Choose a platform

There are so many platforms to choose from at the moment. Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts. They are all similar but the main differences are in the amount of participants you can have. Some also have a time limit. Pick the platform that suits most of your needs and have a test drive with a couple of friends. This is a good idea as if you have never used these platforms it will give you a chance to smooth out any technical issues you might have.

Zoom Is free to use and you can have up to 100 participants. The free versions allows only 40 minutes of meeting time per room, you can either purchase additional time or close the room and start a new one. It can be used on a computer, tablet or smart phone.

Skype is free of charge and allows up to 50 participants. It can be used on a computer, tablet or a mobile.

Google Hangouts is free but you have to have a google account. If you haven’t go one, it’s easy to sign up for.

Webbaby shower is a website that has been made especially for virtual baby showers. It is paid and includes invitations, guest book that can be printed after the event, games and private photo and video album.

Send invitations

The invitations can be sent either online or even the more traditional way via post. You can design your own personalised invitation using one of the online designing programs, for example Canva is simple to use and has many templates that you can personalise.

Baby Shower Theme

You can’t go full out with the decorations as much as you could if you had an in person baby shower, but you can still make it nice. You can send to the mum to be and the guests some simple decorations such as balloons and bunting to decorate their background. Or it can be something simple but fun such as everyone wearing the same colour top or wearing the same accessory, which can also be sent out to everyone beforehand.

Gifts

The mum to be can create a with list on Amazon and the presents can be sent to her before hand, make sure she knows not to open them before the shower. The presents can also be sent to a trusted neighbour or a husband/partner who can hide them until the baby shower day. If the participants already have presents they can also keep them and introduce them to mum-to-be during the baby shower and say why they bought them.

Games

Baby Gear Price

The mum to be can pick a few baby products and everyone writes down their guess of what the price is, then at the same time everyone shows their guesses. The alternative would be when everyone takes turns trying to guess how much the baby products cost.

Guess baby photo

Guests can email their baby photos prior to the shower. You can for example create a slide show and guests guess who is who.

Guess baby’s weight

You can create a poll before or after the baby shower where guests can enter how much they think the baby will weigh.

Have fun

Even though virtual baby showers can’t replace the in person one, when well organised, I believe it can be so much fun. After all what can be better than a bit of girly time?

Have you ever attended or hosted a virtual baby shower? I would love to hear how it went. Would you consider having one?

HOW TO THROW A VIRTUAL BABY SHOWER