Hosting a virtual baby shower is becoming an increasing trend, and rightfully so. Although you won’t be meeting face-to-face, you can still get pretty creative with this gathering and invite everyone who wouldn’t normally be able to attend the in-person party. If you’re looking to take your celebration virtual, keep reading for 7 practical steps to hosting a virtual baby shower.
How to Host a Virtual Baby Shower in 7 Easy Steps
1 Choose a date and time for your virtual baby shower.
Just like planning an in-person baby shower, you’ll need to choose a date and time to “go live.” Even though you don’t have to consider physical traveling for your guests, you’ll still want to keep in mind the various time zones your guests are in. Choose a feasible day and time that accommodates most people.
While you’re planning the day and time, it’s also smart to put a time limit on your party. Up to 2 hours seems to be the norm for virtual baby showers, giving you time to play games, open gifts, etc.
2 Send virtual baby shower invitations.
Next on the to-do list is to gather everyone’s email and send invitations. If you don’t want to send individual emails, you can opt in for an online invitation service. Utilize a platform like Facebook events (or a group) to keep a headcount on who can attend and for sharing important information. Regardless of the route you choose, don’t forget to include the platform that the actual virtual baby shower will take place on, such as Zoom or Google Hangouts.
3 Choose and set up the platform for your virtual baby shower.
As mentioned above, there are several platforms to choose from, with the majority of them being free. Going live in a Facebook group or using something like Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts are a few of the easiest ways to go. Also, you can record your baby shower and store it safely on your computer for later reminiscing. Be sure to give your chosen platform a test run before party day.
4 Create a virtual baby shower registry.
Shopping online is already a thing of the present, so it’s no big deal to make a few minor adjustments. For starters, set up your baby registry with the option of having gifts shipped directly to you. Set a shop and order deadline to make sure everything arrives in time for the baby shower party. Another aspect to consider is asking guests to opt-in for gift wrapping so you’ll have an extra surprise to open.
5 Choose a virtual baby shower theme.
Yes, you can still decorate for your special occasion. As a matter of fact, you can get everyone involved by asking them to do a little decorating of their own. Whether they choose balloons or streamer paper, choose a theme and ask everyone to add a piece in their background. Another idea is to ask all guests to wear a particular color, especially if you know what you’re having. If not, ask them to wear the color that shows what they think the bundle of joy will be.
6 Opt in for a gift reveal.
Add a special touch to your virtual baby shower by scheduling in time to open gifts. If your guests sent gifts then you can continue like a normal in-person shower. If your guests purchased gifts but didn’t send them, have them open and show them off to you. Either way, it’s still a great surprise.
7 Play virtual baby shower games.
Playing games in person may seem like more fun; however, playing them virtually can be just as fun, if not more. Trade in the traditional bingo and word scramble games for games like:
- Baby Alphabet Game: have guests take turns guessing baby-related things according to the letters of the alphabet. Make sure they do it alphabetically!
- Name That Tune: play a few seconds of a baby-themed tune and have guests guess what the song is.
- Baby Item ‘Price is Right’: have guests take turns guessing the prices of various baby items.
A Few Extras for Your Virtual Baby Shower
The practical suggestions mentioned above will have you hosting the most memorable virtual baby shower ever. There are a few extra things to consider should you choose to add a bit more to your celebration. Just like an in-person baby shower, you can give your guests party favors by shipping it to them. In this case, you could also choose to deliver virtual gift cards.
Last but not least, consider giving guests a few minutes to share special messages to you and the baby-on-the-way. Since you can record your virtual baby shower, you can replay it once the baby arrives.
Looking for baby shower theme ideas? Click here!