12 Things Americans Consider Normal at a Baby Shower That Brits Would Find Over the Top

Save to Find It Later!

Baby showers can look very different on each side of the Atlantic. In the US, they are often planned as full parties with decorations, games, gift lists, food displays, and plenty of photos. In Britain, a baby shower may be a smaller afternoon with friends, tea, cake, and a few gifts. Neither way is right or wrong, but some American traditions can seem rather big to British guests. From balloon arches to nappies arranged as cakes, there is often a lot more planning involved than many Brits expect. Some people love the extra effort, while others prefer something low-key. Here are 12 baby shower habits that are common in America but may feel a bit over the top to people in the UK.

1. Send invitations months in advance

In America, baby shower invitations often go out months before the event. This gives guests plenty of time to save the date, buy a gift, arrange travel, and plan around other family events. It can feel almost like planning a small wedding. There may be printed invitations, online invitations, RSVP deadlines, and details about the theme, dress code, registry, and parking.

Brits may find this a little formal for an afternoon party before a baby arrives. A British baby shower is often arranged a few weeks ahead, sometimes through a group chat with a simple message saying where and when to meet. Planning far ahead can feel surprising, especially when the baby has not arrived yet and plans can change quickly.

2. Pick a theme with matching colours

American baby showers often have a clear theme, complete with matching colours and decorations. It could be teddy bears, wildflowers, woodland animals, clouds, bows, or a particular colour such as sage green, pink, or blue. The cake, balloons, plates, napkins, flowers, signs, and party favours may all match.

For many Brits, this level of coordination can feel like a lot for one afternoon. A few balloons, flowers, and a nice cake would usually be enough. Still, the themed look does make for lovely photos, and some parents enjoy having everything look neat and personal. The big difference is that Americans often expect the theme to run through every part of the event, rather than simply adding a few decorations.

3. Put up a huge balloon arch

A large balloon arch is a common sight at American baby showers. It often sits behind the food table or gift table and creates a backdrop for photos. Some are made with hundreds of balloons in different sizes, mixed with flowers, greenery, signs, or little teddy bears. They can take hours to put together or cost a fair amount if someone is hired to make one.

British guests may wonder why a few balloons are not enough. A balloon arch can feel more suited to a major birthday party or a wedding reception. Still, for people who enjoy taking photos with friends and family, it gives the event a polished look. In the US, the backdrop is often seen as part of the party rather than an extra.

4. Set up a dessert table

At many American baby showers, dessert is displayed on a full table rather than brought out with a cup of tea. There may be cupcakes, biscuits, cake pops, doughnuts, macarons, sweets, and a large cake in the middle. Each item may match the party colours or include little baby-themed labels.

To Brits, this can seem like far more sugar than anyone needs at a daytime get-together. A British shower may have sandwiches, tea, prosecco, and one cake, with perhaps a few biscuits on the side. The American dessert table is often designed to look good in pictures as well as feed people. It is less about keeping things simple and more about creating a display guests can admire before they start eating.

5. Build a cake out of nappies

A nappy cake is not actually a cake. It is a stack of rolled nappies shaped into tiers and tied with ribbons. It may be decorated with baby socks, bibs, bottles, soft toys, muslins, and tiny toiletries. Once the shower is over, the parents can take it apart and use everything.

Many Americans see this as a practical and thoughtful centrepiece. Brits may find it slightly odd to make a display out of nappies, especially because they are such an everyday item. Still, new parents go through a huge number of them, so the gift is useful. The nappy cake also gives guests a way to bring smaller baby bits without wrapping each item separately. It is practical, but definitely more elaborate than a standard gift bag.

6. Buy gifts from a registry

Gift registries are very common in America. Parents create a list of items they need, from bottles and baby clothes to pushchairs, monitors, high chairs, and nappies. Guests can choose something from the list, mark it as bought, and avoid getting the same gift as someone else.

In Britain, some people may feel awkward about being given a list of things to buy. It can seem a little direct, especially if there are expensive items on it. But the idea behind a registry is usually practical. Babies need a lot of things, and it helps friends and family buy something the parents will actually use. It also cuts down on receiving ten tiny newborn outfits and no bottles or bedding.

7. Open every present in front of the guests

At many American baby showers, the parent-to-be sits in front of the group and opens every gift one by one. Guests watch, take photos, and see the reaction to what they bought. Someone may write down who gave each gift so thank-you notes can be sent later.

This can feel very uncomfortable to British guests. Sitting through a long gift-opening session may seem awkward, especially for people who did not bring much or who gave money in a card. Many Brits prefer presents to be opened quietly after everyone has gone home. Still, the American version gives guests a chance to see the useful things being received and share in the excitement. For some people, it is a sweet tradition. For others, it is the part they would happily skip.

8. Play guess the size of the bump

“Guess the size of the bump” is a popular American baby shower game. Guests cut a piece of ribbon, string, or toilet roll to the length they think will fit around the pregnant person’s bump. The closest guess wins a small prize.

While some groups find it funny, plenty of Brits would find it embarrassing. Pregnancy changes people’s bodies in many ways, and asking friends to estimate someone’s size can feel too personal. It can also be uncomfortable for the parent-to-be if they are already feeling self-conscious. The game is usually meant kindly, with guests laughing at how wildly wrong their guesses are. Even so, it is one tradition that may not travel well across the pond.

9. Throw a gender reveal party as well

Some American parents have a separate gender reveal party before the baby shower. Friends and family gather to find out if the baby is expected to be a boy or girl, often through coloured balloons, cake filling, confetti, smoke, or a box full of balloons. Then, later on, there may be a full baby shower too.

Brits may see two parties before the baby arrives as a bit much. Many people in the UK simply share the news in a message, tell family over dinner, or wait until the birth. There is also a growing view that a baby’s sex does not need such a big public event. Still, some families enjoy the surprise and like having an excuse to bring loved ones together before the baby comes.

10. Invite the dads too

Traditional baby showers were often women-only, but many American showers now include dads, partners, brothers, friends, and children. These are sometimes called co-ed showers. The event may feel more like a garden party, barbecue, brunch, or casual get-together than a ladies’ afternoon.

British people may find this less surprising now than they once did, but some still picture a baby shower as a gathering for the mum-to-be and her close female friends. Inviting everyone can make the guest list much bigger, which can also mean more food, more gifts, and more planning. On the other hand, it gives both parents a chance to celebrate with their own friends and family. For many modern couples, that feels more natural.

11. Hand out party favours

American baby shower guests may leave with a small party favour. This could be a mini candle, packet of sweets, biscuit, little plant, bath salt, keyring, or a bag with a thank-you label. The favour often matches the party theme and colours.

To a Brit, giving guests gifts for coming to a baby shower can seem unnecessary. They may already have brought a present for the parents, so being handed a candle on the way out might feel a little backwards. Still, party favours are meant as a kind thank-you. They are usually inexpensive, and some hosts enjoy choosing or making them. It is another small detail that adds to the polished, planned feel of an American shower.

12. Throw a sprinkle for the second baby

A baby sprinkle is a smaller shower for a second or third baby. The idea is that the parents already have most of the big items from their first child, so guests bring smaller gifts such as nappies, wipes, clothes, books, or toiletries. It is often a simpler event than a first baby shower.

Many Brits would be surprised by the idea of another party and another round of gifts for each baby. In the UK, people may give a small present after the birth, but a full event before every child can feel a bit much. Supporters of sprinkles say every baby deserves to be welcomed, and parents may still need supplies, especially if there is a big age gap or the new baby is a different sex. It is a sweeter, smaller version of the first shower, but still a very American idea.