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In a time of social distancing, everything seems to have gone virtual. While some people have chosen to reschedule things like weddings, one event you can not control the timing of is the arrival of your baby. Because of this, “virtual baby showers” are now an integral part of the experience of having a child. This idea may seem a bit confusing or even stressful, but after reading this guide, you should feel much more prepared to plan a fun and memorable baby shower that takes place online.
Just like an in-person baby shower, a lot of preparation that needs to be done before the event takes place. These are some steps to add to your To-Do list when planning a virtual baby shower.
No, we are not talking about a cute coffee shop or event center, but rather an online platform for your event. Some popular options for video calls are Zoom, Google Hangouts, Houseparty, Skype, and FaceTime. You may want to do some research on the pros and cons of each website/app so that you can choose one that best suits your needs.
Everyone wants to help celebrate and contribute to your new baby, so you should create an online gift registry. You can do this on websites such as Babylist, Amazon, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond depending on what types of gifts you would like. Some popular gifts for baby showers include car seats, toys, clothes, strollers, and diapers, so consider what you already have and what you need when creating your registry. If you are looking for a baby monitor, we recommend checking out one of our many options from HubbleConnected.
Read More: Baby Monitors with Wi-Fi Capability
Once you have the basic details ready, you can send invitations. While some people may choose to send paper invitations, you can also easily create them online with Evite or just send an email with the information. Virtual invitations work great because you can include a link to the meeting for the party.
Though virtual baby showers do not allow for traditional decorations, you can still get creative and make things more festive. If you use Zoom or another platform that allows you to change the background of your video, you can send customized backgrounds to your guests to use during the event. Depending on the gender of your baby, you can also ask that your guests wear pink or blue.
Create Refreshments
Refreshments bring people together during any type of party, and a virtual event does not need to stop this. You can send your guests a drink or snack recipe with their invitation and ask that they prepare it before the event. This way, you can all enjoy the food while catching up over video, just like you would if the shower was in-person.
Once you complete the necessary preparations for your virtual baby shower, you can sit back and relax until the big day. Video calls can be awkward at times, so we have put together a list of what to do during the party that will keep it enjoyable for everyone.
Catch-up
As people begin to log onto the call, you can greet each guest and catch up with them a bit. They may want to personally congratulate you or share some advice. You may also have guests who need some assistance with getting their technology figured out, so it is a good idea to set aside some time in the beginning for everyone to get settled.
One of the best parts about baby showers is the games, which typically take up the majority of the time allotted for the event. Not all baby shower games are possible during a virtual shower, so we have put together a list of some fun options that will work even during a video call.
-Trivia about mom:Put together a Kahoot or Jeopardy game about the mom-to-be. This can include her pregnancy cravings, her due date, how much she has prepared for the birth, and fun facts about her as a baby.
-Baby photo-matching: Ask each guest to send a photo of themselves as a baby before the event. Each guest can guess which baby photo belongs to which adult.
-Online Pictionary game:Using baby-themed words such as bottle, diaper, pacifier, and crib, guests can compete in a friendly game of virtual Pictionary.
Opening Gifts
Traditionally, the mom-to-be opens her gifts during the shower, so you can choose whether or not you want to include this as part of your virtual event. If you decide to open gifts while on the video call, then give your guests plenty of time to deliver them to you.
Guests can each sign a virtual guestbook while attending the shower. You can make a slideshow on Google Slides that everyone can add their own uplifting notes, advice, and stories to. Afterwards, you can even print it out or turn it into an actual book. You never know what tips on becoming a father for the first time you may find
Record the Event
No matter what activities you plan for your baby shower, make sure that you record the virtual event. This will be a great memory later on in life. Planning to have the event in person, then check out How to Plan a Socially Distanced Baby Shower.
When the shower is over, be sure to send thank-you notes to all of your guests. Whether you want to do this through the website Paperless Post, email, or traditional mail, your guests will be happy to know that you enjoyed your shower and appreciate their support.
If you haven't thought of a name yet, take a look at the 50 Least and Most Common Baby Names
Overall, it is important to take advantage of the time you can spend with your friends and family, despite the unfortunate circumstances that prevent you from doing so in-person. Thankfully, technology has opened up new opportunities for us to “meet” virtually. Whether your baby shower is virtual or in-person, you are sure to enjoy good times with friends as you celebrate the arrival of your little miracle.
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