The guest list is one of the most important aspects of a baby shower – right alongside the all-too-adorable decorations, delicious food and cheer-worthy baby shower games. Inviting the wrong baby shower guests can lead to unnecessary tension or discomfort for the parents.

The baby shower guest list should include the new baby’s grandparents, family and parent’s coworkers and friends. Choose your baby shower guest list by consulting with the parents-to-be about who they’d like to include in the baby shower festivities.

Being selected to plan the baby shower means that the mom-to-be (or for parents-to-be) trust you enough to plan a party for their closest friends and family. This article will help you make sure you get the invitation list right.

How many people should you invite to the baby shower?

The number of people you invite to a baby shower should be based on the parent’s guest list, size of the venue and the general disposition of the parents-to-be.

Are they more private and prefer intimate settings? If so, plan a party with under 20 attendees. Do they prefer large gatherings and have lots of friends? If so, invite as many people as your space will allow to fit safely.

Should men be invited to a baby shower?

Traditionally, baby showers only celebrated mom-to-be. However, these day’s baby showers have become a family affair where both mom and dad’s friends come together to welcome the new baby into the family. Plan for a co-ed baby shower unless the mother has specified that she would prefer a women-only event.

Who should I invite to the baby shower?

The baby shower invitation list should include all the people who are close to the mother and father to be and will likely purchase a gift for them.

Mother and Father’s Parents

The mother’s parents should get the first invitation to any baby shower. They’ll likely be the most excited guests at the party because they’re welcoming their own grandbabies into the world.

Step-parents

Step parents should be invited as long as there’s no underlying complications between parents and step-parents.

Family members

Include sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, and cousins in the baby shower guest list.

Close friends

Check with parents-to-be for an updated list of close friends to invite to the baby shower in case any of their relationships have shifted over time and they’re no longer friends with certain people.

Co-workers

If the parents have a professional work history or currently work at a job, it’s likely they’ve made some friends at work that they’d like to celebrate with. Get a list of professional contacts and email addresses from the parents-to-be so you can invite them to the shower.

Children

Add children to the guest list unless parents have specified that they’d prefer an adult-only baby shower. Older siblings should get a personal invitation to the baby shower.