Have you considered hosting a party online before? If so, how about your baby shower? We’ve taken the time to compile a list of ideas to help create the ultimate virtual baby shower, and have fun hosting it at the same time. Interested? We thought so! Let’s turn our frowns upside down and scroll on for more…
Virtual Calling Software
So, how exactly can we go about making an online baby shower work and what tools do we need to execute it? First things first, you need a calling software that isn’t going to glitch every 5 seconds when your bestie is telling you how proud she is of you! We’ve taken the liberty of scanning the interwebs for the best options and have whittled it down to our favorite three – complete with their own individual pros and cons:
Zoom
Pros
- Very stable line for video conferences with little to no buffering issues
- Has the ability to host 10+ parties in a call without any loss in quality
- Simple interface and easy to use
- Ability to share slides and content
- Has a scheduling tool and syncs with your calendar to help you invite guests
Cons
- Zoom needs a web feature so new people don’t have to download the app first
- The mobile app is nowhere near as good as the web app
- Its recording tools aren’t as developed as they should be to successful record full conversations
Facebook Messenger
Pros
- Very easy to use – similar to other messaging apps such as Whatsapp
- Handy group features for conference calls
- Supports up to 8 people in video calls with no duration limit
Cons
- Facebook account is required to use Messenger
- Not everyone wants a Facebook account so could cause problems amongst friends
- The age-old concept of “who’s listening to us online?”
Want to ensure you’re not missing anything else? Then you’ll love reading “3 Virtual Baby Shower Planning Mistakes To Avoid“
House Party
Pros
- Easy to ‘drop-in’ and out of the group chat
- Convenient for those on the move or having to rush back to work
- Built-in games (HELLO VIRTUAL BABY SHOWER!)
Cons
- Initially designed for kids to chat to a group of friends without leaving the house – hence the ‘young’ vibe it gives off
- Better for small groups of friends as you’re able to see who comes on and offline – think back to your MSN days…
- The built in games are fun but not as well produced as designed
Our best advice: go with Zoom. Though it’s more aimed at remote workers and online business calls, it’s by far the most reliable software available. The bonus? You can host as many people as you like at one time! All that’s left to do is decide whether you want to sub-categorise your groups into family, friends and work people, or just throw them all in together for one big party!
Virtual Baby Shower Invitations
Once you’ve decided on your final guest list, it’s time to invite everyone to your bespoke online virtual baby shower. Will you go for the classic handwritten invitations or something a little more unique? Moonpig designs some pretty special baby shower invitations and saves you the trouble of designing one yourself – unless of course that’s what you’re into!
Alternatively, you can go full online mode and send out some really gorgeous e-invites. Canva is a great graphic design platform that provides you with hundreds of templates to choose from and all you have to do is edit the names! Once downloaded, you can email your invite out to each chosen person and there you go! Invites sent and it’s time for some party planning!
Virtual Baby Shower Games and Activities
Okay, now we’re really onto the fun stuff! Still with us? Good – we got you covered girl. We know typically you’ll have a friend or a loved one help throw your baby shower, but as we’re taking this party online, it’s totally acceptable for you to host. Not a party planner, we hear? It’s okay. Take a deep breath, take a look through some of these fun ideas for some games and activities to do at your online baby shower and get excited! You’re about to bring new life into this world and we couldn’t be more happy for you!
Did Baby Poopie?
This one-of-a-kind baby shower scratch off game can be played at all types of showers and especially virtual ones! Essentially, you’ll want to mail ahead these cute scratch-offs ahead of time with your invitations and tell guests to wait until the baby shower to scratch. Then on the day of the shower, have the host choose a time in the party where everyone can scratch their lottery cards and see who has the winning poop card.
This game is so spontaneous, unique and fun that it’s sure to make your baby shower even more memorable! You can find Did Baby Poopie here on Amazon.
Who Knows Mommy Best?
Before your virtual baby shower, write down a list ranging from easy to we-went-to-preschool-together-only-I-can-know-this kinda questions about yourself. When it comes to the game, ask everyone to have a pen and paper ready. Go through your questions and after each one, ask your guests to show you their answers. Tally up the results and announce the winner. One thing – be prepared for some healthy competitiveness but have no fear, no one will be near!
The Price Is Right
Choose five items you’ve recently bought for your baby i.e. a diaper, drinking bottle, some formula – you get the idea! Show them to the camera and ask everyone to write down what they believe the price to be of each item. After each item, ask all your guests to show you their answers at the same time and the closest guess wins!
Are You That Baby?
Sometimes, a baby shower game doesn’t need to be about the mom-to-be. This game gives you the chance to take a breather and shift the perspective onto your guests. Before your online baby shower starts, ask all your guests to send you a baby photo of themselves. Print them off and have them ready to show on camera. Ask your guest to guess who and sit back and enjoy the entertainment – you’re guaranteed a lot of laughter!
A Letter To Mom and Baby
In our eyes, this is a must and it’s perhaps the sweetest of activities you can do at any baby shower – let alone a virtual one! Ask your guests to write a little note to you and ask them (if they don’t get stage fright!) to read it out to you at the end of your online baby shower, along with the gift they’ve sent you. It’s a really wonderful way to end your special day and it makes the guests feel good about themselves, too!
Gifts
When it comes to discussing gifts, conventionally speaking things can be a little awkward. Now, mix this into a virtual baby shower and you may just have a whole other task on your hands. Everyone’s family and friends are different and our advice is to gage personally if it’s worth the mention or not. We can’t imagine a baby shower (online or not!) without gifts, but it’s good to be mindful of the current circumstances.
If you do manage to have gifts as part of your online baby shower, try to make it as easy for your guests as possible. We’d suggest a small list of must-haves before the baby’s big day, and links to specific sites to purchase. Almost everything can be ordered and paid for online these days – so really there’s no excuse! Amazon or Target would appear to be the biggest winners here but if you prefer the rustic approach, why not suggest something handmade from your craftier friends?
Decor
When it comes to hosting a virtual baby shower, you may think decor has no relevance… Uh, think again! Just because you won’t be hosting your guests in your home, doesn’t mean you or your guests can’t enjoy some beautiful baby shower decorations to help get in the spirit of things! The absolute musts are the following:
- Fairy lights for ambience
- Balloons and bunting for hanging around your backdrop
- And baby dummies… Just because!
Additionally, you could also check out some funnier items such as some pacifier-shaped sunglasses or a baby hat to keep your crowd entertained. Whatever look you’re going for, make sure you’re feeling festive by the time you click ‘call’!
PS. Did you know we LOVE Instagram? Follow us here
The Grand Finale
So your invites are sent, your decorations are bought and your games are ready to be played. What’s left to do before the party begins?
- Decorate your space and check your lighting
- Double check your wifi connection, your calling software and the time!
- Send reminders an hour before and confirm your numbers
- Get games and drinks ready
- Go put on your best dress and that gorgeous lipstick and put your best smile on – it’s time to party girl!
Thank You Cards
Once the party’s over, your feet are aching from those ghastly stilettos (just kidding – we know it’s just the pregnancy!) and all you want to do is lie down with some Ben & Jerry’s, be sure to send around an initial thank you message. After you’ve recovered from the wildest online party you’ll have ever hosted, get back to your guest list and start writing those thank you cards! We think there are only two ways to do this…
It may be a nicer touch to receive something tangible after an online baby shower, so definitely consider a physical hand-written thank you card as one of your options. If not, go online all the way and send out a bunch of e-cards to thank your guests for one awesome party!
Whatever you decide works for your virtual baby shower is entirely up to you. We know these are trying times and we really hope we’ve relieved you of some of your stresses and hopefully gotten you ready for one epic online baby shower! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’d like a little more help – alternatively you can follow us on Instagram for a whole lot more girlie fun!
Stay safe and well during these tough times and we’ll see you again very soon!