What Is A Baby Shower?

What is a baby shower?

A baby shower is a celebration held to ‘shower’ a parent-to-be with love and gifts before their new arrival.

It’s usually a small group of close friends and family who get together to mark the occasion, with food, drinks, games and thoughtful presents.

And because Salisbury is a city that appreciates a more relaxed, charming vibe, our afternoon tea baby showers at The Red Lion Hotel have become especially popular.

What happens at a baby shower?

At a baby shower, you mostly eat, chat, celebrate and enjoy the moment together. If you’ve ever wondered ‘what is a baby shower supposed to include’ the answer is: whatever makes the parent-to-be happiest!

A typical baby shower might include:

• Guests arriving and mingling
• Afternoon tea or a light meal
• Gifts being opened
• Games (or just more chit chat!)

Baby showers always feels like a really joyful, gentle kind of celebration. We love seeing them at our hotel and hosting them for you.

Why is it called a baby shower?

It’s called a baby shower because the parent-to-be is ‘showered’ with support and gifts.

How to plan a baby shower?

So… You’re the chosen one, whose job is it to plan the baby shower….! But please don’t stress – they’re meant to be fun!

You’ve got this!

It’s nowhere near as involved as organising a hen do, or even a big birthday party. Here’s a breakdown of the main steps to plan a baby shower:

• Choose a date (usually around the 7 month mark)
• Pick a venue – somewhere special like The Red Lion Hotel is ideal!
• Create the guest list with the parent-to-be
• Send invitations – digitally is fine
• Plan the food – afternoon tea works beautifully
• Choose games or activities (optional)
• Buy decorations, if your venue doesn’t already provide them
• Plan the flow of the day, just loosely

TOP TIP – In our experience, the best baby showers feel relaxed and not overly scripted. Don’t have a detailed agenda or try to squeeze in too many activities!

Who organises a baby shower?

A baby shower is usually organised by a close friend or family member – often the best friend, sister or mum of the parent-to-be.

But it could be anyone – sometimes colleagues plan it, sometimes a group of friends do it together and the parents themselves could even take charge.

When do you have a baby shower?

Most baby showers take place during the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. This timing feels special – the parent-to-be is well into their pregnancy but still comfortable enough to enjoy the celebration.

That said, there’s no set time. Some people choose earlier dates, especially if the baby is expected to arrive a little sooner. Others hold celebrations after the birth, often called ‘welcome baby’ gatherings.

Ultimately, it’s up to you and the new parents.

That brings us nicely on to the next question – what time you should have your baby shower…

When is the best time of day for a baby shower?

The best time of day for a baby shower is in the afternoon. These times suit most guests and keep the atmosphere relaxed.

And it’s quite possible that some guests will be bringing their own babies so that can be tricky if you go for an evening celebration.

Do men go to baby showers?

Yes, men can definitely go to baby showers! And not just as guests – there’s no reason why the father-to-be shouldn’t be part of the celebration too.

We often see mixed-group baby showers here and we love it. These days, baby showers aren’t just for women.

Do you take a gift to a baby shower?

Yes, you would usually take a gift to a baby shower. The gift doesn’t need to be big. Practical, thoughtful or sentimental presents are all great ideas.

Although there’s sometimes that one guest who brings something funny or silly!

If you’re wondering what to buy for a baby shower, some popular gift ideas include:

• Baby clothes
• A baby memory box
• Soft blankets
• Books
• A voucher for baby essentials
• Toys
• Muslins
• Baby bath items
• Keepsakes
• Gifts for the parent (think pampering – skincare, slippers, candles etc)

If there’s a gift list, following it makes things easy. If not, anything chosen with care will be appreciated.

So, what else do you take to a baby shower? We’ve just talked about the gift (and you’ll need a card to go with it), but other than that, you just need to bring yourself! Truly, that’s enough.

Remember – baby showers are about the celebration, not the presents. You don’t need to overthink this – honestly!

Do baby showers need games?

No, baby showers definitely don’t need games. Some groups love them, while others skip games entirely and simply enjoy catching up over good food.

If you are planning some baby shower games, you don’t need to go wild – low-key activities work particularly well. Things like guessing games or advice cards that don’t interrupt the flow of conversation or require people to move around too much.

Here’s a few ideas about what games you can you play at a baby shower:

• Guess the due date/sex/weight
• Guess the baby photo (of the guests)
• Baby name suggestions
• Advice cards
• Baby bingo

How long does a baby shower last?

Most baby showers last 2–3 hours. In our experience, this is the sweet spot. You’ll have plenty of time to eat, talk, open gifts, take photos and enjoy the moment without the day feeling rushed or dragging on.

What to wear to a baby shower?

Smart-casual is the safest choice for a baby shower. Think daytime dresses, blouses, or a relaxed but polished outfit you’d wear for lunch out.

The atmosphere is usually cheerful and photo-friendly, so you’ll want to feel comfortable and presentable.

It also depends on by the venue that you’ve chosen – you wouldn’t want to dress too casual if you’re celebrating somewhere super swanky!

Can you host a baby shower at The Red Lion Hotel Salisbury?

Yes, absolutely! we’re one of the most popular baby shower venues in Salisbury and we love hosting baby showers here! They always bring such joy to the hotel!

With our famous afternoon tea, historic surroundings and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a beautiful place to celebrate this wonderful milestone. Did we mention that we’re a 13th century hotel – the oldest purpose-built hotel in Europe! It’s certainly a unique and special place to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

Whether you’re planning something intimate or a larger gathering, we can help make it feel personal, relaxed and special.

Baby Showers