Baby Shower Shopping List

Planning a baby shower means buying more than balloons and cake. You’ll need to cover food, drinks, coffee, tableware, decorations, games and a practical place for gifts. Start with your confirmed guest count, then calculate portions before you shop. This checklist-based plan also helps you spot the items people often remember too late, such as serving utensils, chilled drinks, cake-cutting tools and enough cups for both hot and cold drinks.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 24
Gift table
Buffet table
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 24
Pastry platesqty 24
Coffee cupsqty 24
Water glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 24
Forksqty 30
Knivesqty 30
Spoonsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Cake Knife and Cake Server
Thermos flasksqty 3

Equipment

Coffee maker
Kettle
Coolersqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 60
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 4
Vasesqty 4
Photo backdrop
Welcome sign
Gift tagsqty 30
Gift bagsqty 24

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED candlesqty 12

Game materials

Quiz cardsqty 24
Pensqty 30
Answer formsqty 30
Baby photo cardsqty 24
Prizesqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 4
Tea towelsqty 8
Towelsqty 4
Hand soapqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 30 pieces
- Mini savory muffins - 30 pieces
- Wraps - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Smoked salmon - 400 grams
- Chicken breast topping - 400 grams
- Hummus - 400 grams
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Peppers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 1.5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 1.5 kilograms
- Apples - 12 pieces
- Melon - 2 pieces
- Banana bread - 2 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 250 gram
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Jam - 1 jar
- Vegetarian mini wraps - 20 pieces
- Olives - 2 jars
- Mixed nuts - 500 grams
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Salted crackers - 3 packs
- Cream cheese dip - 2 tubs
- Salsa - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Cake - 1 cake for 24 people
- Cupcakes - 24 pieces
- Whipped cream - 3 spray cans
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 2 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Limes - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack

Tips

Allow about 2–3 drinks per guest during the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour. Include water as well as soft drinks, and chill everything before guests arrive.
Plan roughly 6–8 savoury bites per guest for a two-hour shower, plus one slice of cake or another sweet serving each. Add extra portions if the shower overlaps lunch or dinner.
Buy or check tableware for the full guest count, then add 10% spare pieces. Count dinner plates, pastry plates, forks, knives, spoons, coffee cups and water glasses separately.
Order the cake at least 7 days ahead and confirm when it can be collected or delivered. Put the cake knife, cake server and a suitable serving platter on the shopping checklist rather than assuming the venue has them.
Set aside a gift table before shopping for decorations and tablecloths. A coat rack, clear table space and a simple way to keep cards with gifts prevent a crowded entrance and misplaced presents.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a baby shower?: For a two-hour baby shower, plan 6–8 savoury bites and 1 sweet serving per guest. If the shower replaces lunch, increase the food to about 10–12 savoury portions per person.
How many drinks should I buy for a baby shower?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for each additional hour. For a three-hour shower with 20 guests, that means roughly 80–100 drinks, including water, coffee and tea.
When should I order a baby shower cake?: Order the cake at least 7 days before the shower, and earlier if you need a custom design or a specific flavour. Confirm the collection or delivery time no later than 2 days beforehand.
How many plates and cups do I need for a baby shower?: Buy one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one water glass and one coffee cup per guest, plus about 10% spare. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 of each item where practical.

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