The baby shower traditions you know and (maybe) love began during the “baby boom” era of the 1950’s and ’60’s. A lot has changed since the 50’s, and we think it only makes sense that baby shower traditions should change too!
While some still prefer the traditional “girls-only” shower, we’ve noticed a trend toward co-ed baby showers, where boys AND girls are invited to join in the celebration.
Why we love co-ed baby showers:
- Times are changing: The co-ed shower not only reflects a change in tradition, but also a change in our culture, as fathers become more involved in all aspects of parenting. It makes sense that they are involved in celebrating the arrival of their child and choosing gifts for the baby’s care.
- The more the merrier: why exclude the entire gender from the fun? Inviting boys to join in can lead to more laughter, create a more relaxed vibe, and include important people in the baby’s life, like grandparents and uncles.
Planning a co-ed shower is similar to planning a traditional shower, but with a few twists. Read on for our tips to make your co-ed celebration a success!
Tip #1: Choose a Guy-Friendly Theme
Ditch the soft pastels and fancy flower arrangements and choose a theme that will make the boys feel right at home. We wrote a whole post on co-ed baby shower themes, but here are some of our favorite ideas:
“Baby-Q” is the perfect casual theme for boys and girls! Set up the grill, roll out the burlap, and decorate with gingham and sunflowers to create an unforgettable afternoon celebration!
This theme will make for a warm and cozy gathering with friends and family. We love the woodsy, rustic decor paired with bold red and black plaid—perfect for celebrating a little lumberjack (or Jill!). Printables, like those pictured above, are available here.
If mom and dad are sports fans, celebrate their new recruit with a themed game bash! Use their favorite sport and team colors as inspiration for decor, and have guests wear jerseys and fan gear!
Tip #2: Set Up a Food Bar
Let the boys create their own hearty meal by building a food bar that lets them stack their plates as much as they want!
Set up “build your own burger bar,” complete with many options for cheese and other toppings. Keep it simple or get as creative as you like, with gourmet options like avocado and bacon!
Tip #3: Stock the Bar
While the mom-to-be needs to stick to a mocktail, stock the bar for guests who want to pair their burgers with beer or tacos with a margarita!
Tip #4: Add some humor
While I love elegant entertaining, a co-ed baby shower calls for a bit of sass. Men tend to be goofy, so go with it! A few silly touches can put everyone at ease and provide a few laughs—always a good thing at a party.
“Babies in a blanket” are definitely unusual—and sure to get a laugh. Don’t even think about the fact that you’re eating a baby (although now that we’ve said that, it’s hard to forget)!
This “baby face” game is sure to wow your guests, and since it involves mom and dad, it’s perfect for a co-ed shower. Give each table an envelope with two pictures of mom-and-dad-to-be, cut into strips. Guests make their best guess as to what the baby will look like: will he have mommy’s eyes and daddy’s nose? And whose hair? Have the parents-to-be choose their favorite among the groups. You will probably all agree that these are baby faces that only a mother would love!
Tip #4: Create a Competition
Boys love a good contest! Try a game like “Don’t Drop the Baby:” head to the backyard and couples team up to toss a water balloon back and forth until it drops. The last team with an unpopped balloon wins.
This is one of my favorite baby shower games! Before the party, make a playlist with songs that all contain the word “baby,” or “child” in the title (add songs with “boy,” or “girl” if you know the baby’s gender) . Play a few seconds at the beginning of each song, and give guests a chance to fill in the title and artist name!
Looking for more game ideas that your male and female guests will love? Check out our post on fun baby shower games!
Tip #5: Think “hands-on”
While women are content to talk for hours, men can enjoy hands-on activities to stay engaged throughout the event.
Set up a onesie or bib decorating station for guests to make cute (and useful!) baby items. Or you can sign each guest and write a message on a decoration for the baby’s room, such as a large wooden initial.
Display a few stacks of newborn diapers with this cutie printable sign, which invites visitors to leave encouraging or funny messages for mom and dad while they’re up in the wee hours of the night! Examples: “You’re great, mom and dad! Keep up the good work!” Or, “Isn’t it daddy?” and, “Only a few thousand left until I’m potty trained!”
A Bonus Tip:
A simple tip that works regardless of the theme or style of your baby shower: direct the guests RegistryFinder.com, where they can easily find all the couple registries in one place! The best way to do that? Put it on the invitation! Find more cute co-ed baby shower invitations here!
Want More?
Still looking for more co-ed baby shower inspiration? Head to our Pinterest boards for many great ideas.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The ideas are ours, but we may get paid if you make a purchase by clicking one of the links. Thank you for your support!
