How to Throw a Coed Baby Shower
10 Tips For Throwing the Ultimate Coed Baby Shower
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Most baby showers follow a pretty standard formula: pregnant woman, her female friends and family members, a lot of adorable and much-needed baby gifts, and a table of light bites and a few beverage options, including a bottle of wine or two. It's simple, sweet, and totally won't work if you throw a bunch of dudes into the mix. Coed baby showers require a completely different set of guidelines, but when done correctly, twice the guests can mean double the fun. If you're hosting a baby shower for both Mom- and Dad-to-be and all their collective friends, here are 10 tips for making sure everyone — including both of the guests of honor — feels special and, most importantly, has a fantastic time.
Make It Clear It's Coed on the Invite
Start giving out coed vibes (it's like a baby shower, only cooler) with your invitation, whether it's emailed or printed, like with this stylish Co-Ed Baby Shower Invite ($28 and up) from Etsy's Mallory Hope Design. List both Mom and Dad's names, and be sure to include the names of everyone invited, both men and women, so everything is clear.
Talk to the Couple About Expectations
The guests of honor should have some input about how the event will go down. Does Mom want to open gifts like she would in a traditional shower? Does Dad hate party games? You want to make sure you're pleasing both the people you're throwing this party for, but if this is the expectant mom's only baby shower, she should take priority.
Explore Decor Options Beyond Pink and Blue
You want all your guests to feel included and welcome, and a pastel paradise probably won't appeal to everyone. Instead, stick to neutral tones — we love hooraydays's Giant White Confetti Balloon ($10) on Etsy — or bolder, more gender-inclusive colors, decor, and flowers.
Amp Up the Food Options
Finger sandwiches, a fruit tray, and diaper-shaped cookies are usually more than enough for a baby shower, but when you're serving a crowd of men and women, the food needs to be heartier and more plentiful. A catered barbecue or grilled meats and veggies are usually a hit with everyone.
Plan Appropriate Party Games
If you're planning on playing traditional baby shower games, make sure you pick ones that will appeal to all of your guests. A safe choice: put out a box of diapers and some colorful markers and let attendees write messages to Mom and Dad to entertain them during diaper duty.
Think Drinks
Lemonade and Champagne might be more than enough for a ladies-only shower, but when you're including the men, make sure you offer a variety of beverages that they'll enjoy, too. You don't need to overthink this — a cooler of beer is just fine. Extra points if you include the dad-to-be's favorite craft brews.
Take Activities Outside
Sure, guessing Baby's birthday and Mom's belly size are perfectly acceptable shower games, but an array of outside games will get the whole party playing. Set up some outdoor activities — cornhole, ladder golf, and even something a little outside of the box (we're partial to this Jumbo Jenga Set ($99) from Etsy's Wood Slice Products) — to keep your guests entertained and interacting with one another.
Let Dad Open Gifts, Too
If the couple decide they want to open gifts at the shower (remember that it's their choice whether they want to do so or not, so don't force them to do it if they're not into the idea), be sure to get Dad in on the unwrapping action as well. Also consider presenting him with a couple of small gifts just for him, like this Papa Bear Mug ($21) from Etsy's nokk design, to make him feel extra special.
Keep Favors Father-Friendly
Cutesy usually rules for baby shower favors, but for a coed shower, think outside the baby-size box. Candy cigars, mini bottles of booze, or even a cool adventure-themed luggage tag like these Foil-Stamped Luggage Tags ($95 for 20 tags) from Etsy's Letter and Leather will make all of your guests feel appreciated.
Keep It Casual
Unless both the mom- and dad-to-be are adamant about wanting a formal event, all your guests are more likely to enjoy themselves if you keep things casual. Think of it as a party with a side of baby instead of a baby shower plus boys. Finger foods and serve-your-own drinks will help set up a relaxed vibe, as will a variety of games (both baby-related and not) that you have available but people aren't forced to play. Coed showers work better with a loose schedule, not a rigid one.
