Since the day you found out that your loved one was pregnant, you’ve probably been planning a Baby Shower to celebrate their new little life. Unfortunately, with the arrival of Covid-19, things may be feeling a little scarier than you expected and for expectant parents, the support of those around them can seem so far away. While we socially distance, there are ways to feel closer than ever to the people who mean the most in our lives. 

Thanks to the wonders of technology, it is still possible to host a Baby Shower. True, the details may be a little different but the core purpose remains the same: to celebrate an expectant mother and her unborn baby. During such strange times, it is more important than ever to bring people together to celebrate the hope and joy of a new arrival.  Although an online baby shower isn’t what you had planned, there are benefits to a virtual party: you don’t have to worry about travel or catering, you can include friends and family from around the world and you will likely save some money. If you’re feeling unsure as to where to start, keep reading for our ideas to help you host the perfect virtual Baby Shower. 

Choose your platform 

Recently, it seems like any number of video call channels have suddenly become our lifelines. Designed for professional meetings and larger groups, Zoom  will show every participant on screen at one – but you will have to pay if you intend to run over 40 minutes. For a real party vibe, Houseparty is popular for birthdays and Friday night catch ups. Whichever you choose, make sure that you send clear instructions including time, how to join and a basic overview of your plans for the event and request that they RSVP. For a personal touch in these stressful times, send out your invitations individually to show each person how much you want them there. 

Gift safely

Now that the shops are shut and we can only go to the supermarkets for our essential items, it’s a little trickier to pick up a gift (and even harder to post one you’ve already purchased). My 1st Years offers an extensive range of beautifully designed gifts for babies that can be personalised especially to celebrate the little one. For a thoughtful touch, add the unborn baby’s name or surname to their future favourite teddy bear soft toy, cute gender-neutral multi-coloured bobble blanket or an adorable rainbow bodysuit. Your chosen gift will be personalised, packed and delivered safely and with care to the parents-to-be for them to unwrap during your virtual party. 

Include activities 

Baby Showers are traditionally packed with fun baby-related games and activities, and your online party needn’t be different. Crowd favourites like ‘Guess the Weight of the Baby’ and ‘Guess the Due Date’ can still be organised through a shared Google doc and can keep the group bonding after the baby is born. For an interactive ice-breaker, you could ask your guests to send in a photo of themselves as a baby ahead of the party and put them into a shared doc to play ‘Guess the Baby’. Using technology to organise these activities can seem a little daunting so remember that the most important thing is that the new Mum’s support network is there for her during this time. 

Think ahead

If this is your friend’s 1st baby, they’ve got a large family or the idea of a virtual baby shower leaves you feeling a little deflated, you have options. From post-partum Baby Showers to ‘Welcome to the World’ parties, you will still be able to get everyone together in the same room to show the new Mum just how strong and present her support system will be. As scary as this strange new coronavirus world can feel, remember that this new normal is only temporary. Soon, we will be out there again, hugging and kissing our loved ones. Until then, raise your glass to the computer screen and stay safe at home. 

With love,

My 1st Years x