Having a baby shower is an exciting and VERY stressful time for parents-to-be. One of the more gratifying things to pick out are your baby shower favors. These are small gifts that are handed out to the guests to thank them for giving you their time to celebrate your new little one.
Choosing the right favors are unlikely to be a life-altering catalyst, but I suppose there’s an exception to everything. My point was to help you remember that this should be one of the more “fun” things to decide on – don’t stress it too much.
I’ve come up with a list of different types of baby shower favors that you can give to your guests. Even if you decide to go with something totally different that doesn’t exist on this list – it’s likely you’ll benefit at least a little as you’ll figure out what you DON’T want.
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Baby Shower Favors Brainstorming
Baby shower favors are typically a SMALL gift – so don’t feel like you need to go crazy with it. These can be personalized gifts, edible treats, or even simple trinkets. Baby shower favors are expected to be inexpensive (or even free if you’re a little crafty!)
Some people have them personalized to match the baby shower theme (which I did because we had a super neat geek fandom theme), or they can be more generic. Before going with a theme gift, I’d think about your guest list and whether they’d appreciate something themed as much as you would. The baby shower favors are one of the only things in this celebration where it makes more sense to think of the guest rather than what you would want. You don’t have to take the favors home with you – but they’re expected to. 😉
Baby Shower Favor Ideas
Personalized Onesies
Onesies are a staple of any baby’s wardrobe, and they make great baby shower favors (esp if you have a lot of guests with babies of their own!).
You can get a fake decorative onesie or buy plain onesies in bulk (like these) and customize them with iron-on transfers or fabric markers (people on Reddit seem to like these ones). Personalize each onesie with the baby’s name or a cute saying like “Future Astronaut” or “Daddy’s Little Princess.”
Alternatively, allowing guests to decorate onesies on their time can make a great baby shower activity – and it also gives you a bunch of keepsakes. We did this at my eldest child’s baby shower and I’ve kept every single one.
Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are one of those things many of us struggle to justify purchasing because they’re an item that exists literally for pampering/relaxation. This is why I think it’s the best kind of gift – it allows the receiver to practice a little self care without guilt.
Choose scents like lavender or eucalyptus for a calming effect, or go for something more playful like strawberry or bubblegum. You can always purchase a variety of scents, just be sure not to keep them stored together unless they compliment each other.
Rather than using Amazon, you’re better off finding a Lush store or an Etsy seller to purchase these from. Here’s a GREAT bath bomb wholesaler on Etsy where you can buy in bulk for a reasonable cost.
I tried buying from Amazon when looking for bath bombs last Christmas (I have a daughter obsessed with them) and was spammed by an overwhelming amount of low quality options. That said, if you still prefer utilizing Amazon over something else, I’d go with these ones.
Personally, I’d recommend against trying to make your own as a pregnant lady who likely already has too much to do unless you’ve done it before and are comfortable with the process.
Related: Baby Shower Themes – A Quick List
Succulents
Succulents are a low-maintenance plant that make great baby shower favors. I’d recommend staying away from Amazon on this one, and consider purchasing local or from an Etsy shop (like this one). They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be planted in small terracotta pots or mini mason jars.
Tie a ribbon or twine around the pot and attach a small tag with the baby’s name or a sweet message like “Watch Me Grow.”
Personalized Cookies
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to give out as favors, personalized cookies are a great option. You can order custom cookies from a local bakery or make your own using a cookie cutter in the shape of a baby bottle or onesie.
You can make it into a baby shower activity and coat each cookie with icing with themed colors, or spell out the baby’s name in icing.
Seed Packets
Seed packets are a unique and eco-friendly baby shower favor. Choose vegetable or wildflower seeds (like these prefab baby shower ones) and put them in an envelope.
Decorate the envelope with a cute sticker or stamp, and attach a small note with planting instructions. Guests can take the seeds home and watch them grow, just like the baby!
Mini Wine or Champagne Bottles
For a more adult-themed baby shower favor, mini champagne bottles are a great option. You don’t even necessarily need to fill it depending on your budget and what makes sense for you as these double as decor for many people.
Attach a custom label with the baby’s name or a funny quote like “Pop it When the Baby Arrives.” Guests can take the mini bottle home as a keepsake, or pop it open to celebrate the baby’s arrival.
Homemade Jam
If you’re a fan of DIY projects, homemade jam is a great baby shower favor. Choose a fruit that’s in season and make a big batch of jam. Alternatively, if it’s in season consider visiting your local farmers market and purchase a lot of small batches from them.
Package the jam in small mason jars and attach a custom label with the baby’s name or a cute message like “Spread the Love.”
Related: Baby Shower Games on a Budget
Hot Cocoa Mix
For a baby shower in winter, hot cocoa mix is a cozy and comforting favor. Mix together cocoa powder, sugar, and mini marshmallows, and package it in small jars or bags.
Attach a custom label with the baby’s name or a fun message.
Customized Water Bottles
Customized water bottles are a practical and eco-friendly baby shower favor. You can order reusable water bottles in bulk and customize them with vinyl decals or waterproof labels (perfect craft if you happen to own a Cricut machine).
Because your guests will hopefully use these regularly, avoid personalizing the bottles with the baby’s name or a message associated with the baby shower as this will leave it somewhat unusable for daily use. Instead personalize it with each guests name.
Customized Tea Tins
If you and your guests are tea lovers, customized tea tins are a unique baby shower favor. You can order blank tins and fill them with loose leaf tea or tea bags, and decorate each tin with custom labels or tags.
Personalized S’mores Kits
If you’re hosting a rustic or outdoor-themed baby shower, personalized s’mores kits are a fun and unique favor. You can package graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in custom printed boxes or bags.
Personalize them with the baby’s name or a message like “Baby, Let’s Toast.”
Personalized Lip Balms
Personalized lip balms are a practical and fun baby shower favor. Turns our they’re surprisingly easy to find prefab in bulk with a baby shower label attached.
Customized T-Shirts
Customized t-shirts are a fun and playful baby shower favor. You can order blank t-shirts in bulk, but be aware that it’s more difficult (and likely slightly more expensive) to find specifically women’s t-shirts in bulk. That said, there are plenty of options for bulk men’s t-shirts, and some (like these ones) come in a variety of colors too.
Customize them with iron-on transfers, fabric markers, or screen printing. Personalize each t-shirt with a fun design like a baby footprint or a onesie, and add the baby’s name or a message like “Born to Be Cute.”
Personalized Journals or Notepads
Personalized journals are a thoughtful and practical baby shower favor. You can order blank journals in bulk and customize the covers with vinyl decals or paint.
Alternatively, you can get ones like these that have uplifting quotes and a minimalist chic look to them.
Related: Baby Shower Gifts for Mom
Miniature Candy Jars
Miniature candy jars can be a affordable baby shower favor. You can find small glass jars with a cork lid and fill them with candy or mints. Tie a ribbon around the top and add a custom label with the baby’s name or a message like “Sweet Little One.”
Personalized Tea Bags
Personalized tea bags are a simple and thoughtful baby shower favor. You can order blank tea bags in bulk and fill them with your favorite loose-leaf tea. Be careful decorating these as you don’t want marker to bleed into the actual tea.
Alternatively, you could buy a large variety pack of different teas in your favorite brand so that your guests can choose their flavor for themselves. Personalize each tea bag with a custom label or tag with the baby’s name or a message like “Sip and Celebrate Baby.”
Hand Sanitizer Bottles
Hand sanitizer bottles are one of the most practical baby shower favors out there. You can easily purchase bulk bottles with a prefab message if you want to save time.
Alternatively, buy small bottles of hand sanitizer (like these – they’re infused with essential oils) and package them with custom printed labels or tags.
Magnets
I LOVE getting magnets as a gift – it would be hard to have too many magnets (at least in my opinion). If you want to do something easy, buy a bulk set of magnets that go with your baby shower theme. You can have fun with this by purchasing statement magnets, or do something more neutral like magnets with a floral/nature scene.
Alternatively, customized magnets are a fun and affordable baby shower favor. You can order blank magnets in bulk and customize them with vinyl decals or paint. Make it a baby shower activity and decorate each magnet with a fun design like a baby footprint or a heart, and add the baby’s name or a message like “Magnetic Baby Love.”
Customized Keychains
Customized keychains are another baby shower favor that can be both practical and fun. You can order blank keychains in bulk and customize them, or buy something prefab.
Mini Figures
If you and/or your partner have a fandom obsession, you probably have friends who do too. If you also have some extra money, look into the cost for purchasing a small figurine for each guest.
If some of your guests don’t have an affinity for the fandom, you can get something different for them or encourage your guests to re-gift their figurine to someone who’ll love it more. You can find small figurines for basically every fandom, from Doctor Who to Marvel Superheroes.
Related: 3rd Trimester Non- Baby Checklist
Personalized Coffee Mugs
Personalized coffee mugs are a practical and fun baby shower favor for fans of geek culture. You can order non-glass (which translates to non-breakable) mugs in a variety of solid colors, or go with solid white ceramic mugs that you can decorate.
If you’re having a geek themed baby shower, decorate each mug with a fun design like a TARDIS or a Star Wars character, and consider keeping the baby theme out of the design entirely as your guests will be more likely to reuse these.
Baby Shower Favors Conclusion
Remember that the baby shower is celebrating a new life and their mother, so the focus isn’t (and shouldn’t) be on the guests. Do a baby shower favor if it’s what you want, but don’t create unnecessary stress for yourself. It’s going to be great regardless. 🙂
Related: Third Trimester Checklist
Related: Nursery Essentials Checklist
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