Who should throw baby showers?
Isabella Harris
Updated on January 18, 2026
Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
Who typically throws a baby shower?
Typically, a close friend or family member will throw your shower, but coworkers or another loved one can all host the party. While every baby shower is unique, the host usually takes care of organizing everything — so you can sit back and enjoy being celebrated.Do aunts throw baby showers?
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been deemed the appropriate parties to host a baby shower.Who should not host a baby shower?
It is considered inappropriate for you or your spouse to throw the baby shower. It is considered rude to ask someone to throw you a baby shower. Typically a close friend or one of the grandmas-to-be will throw a baby shower. It is acceptable to have a sister or other family member throw the baby shower.Should a mother host a baby shower?
Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.Baby Shower Etiquette
Do guests pay for baby shower?
Traditional etiquette rulesTraditionally for an in-person shower, a friend or relative hosts the baby shower and pays for the costs.
Is it weird to throw your own baby shower?
But remember that your friends and family will most likely not see it this way — it's a chance for them to congratulate and celebrate you — and your new baby — after all. Today, hosting your own shower is very common and not at all a social faux pas. In fact, 60% of WebBabyShower's clients throw their own showers!Are baby showers tacky?
A baby shower hosted or 'thrown' by the parents themselves is considered tacky, but if thrown by someone else, it's more 'socially acceptable'. There is no set rule stating that a baby shower is tacky (regardless of whom it is thrown by) – it is simply a matter of opinion.What should you not do at a baby shower?
Baby Shower Dos and Don'ts
- Do involve the guest of honor in the planning process. "No opening of presents, no games, no crust-less bread. ...
- Don't surprise mom-to-be. ...
- Do keep food and drinks simple. ...
- Don't exclude the guys (or the kids)
What is an alternative to a baby shower?
Host an Open HouseOpen houses place less of an emphasis on gifts and focus more on bringing together those who simply wish to be a part of your celebration. For obvious reasons, the guestlist for the one house is going to be more inclusive, and by nature, much larger than traditional baby showers.