Christmas & Winter Baby Shower Ideas: Themes, Food and Games
A December shower competes with every other party of the year. These ideas make it feel like a treat rather than one more thing on the calendar.
In this guide · 7
A winter baby shower is cosy by default: candles, knitwear, hot drinks. The two most common themes are Baby It's Cold Outside (snowflakes, mittens, hot chocolate) for any time from December to February, and a straight Christmas baby shower (red, green, "the best gift of all") for the weeks before Christmas. Book the date early: December weekends fill up fast.
Winter baby shower themes
| Theme | Look | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Baby It's Cold Outside | White, silver, icy blue or blush, snowflakes, mittens | December to February |
| Winter Wonderland | White and silver, paper snowflakes, fake snow, fairy lights | December to January |
| The Best Gift of All | Red, green and gold, wrapped boxes, a little tree | Late November to mid-December |
| Little Snowflake | Soft white and pastel, "Every snowflake is unique" | Any winter month |
| Hot Cocoa Party | Browns and cream, a hot chocolate bar as the centrepiece | Any cold month |
Decorations
- Paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling at different heights.
- Baby mittens and hats on a line above the gift table.
- A small tree decorated with baby socks, dummies and photo frames from the scans.
- Candles and fairy lights everywhere (LED near the tree and children).
- Wrapped empty boxes stacked as a backdrop for photos.
- A "Baby, it's cold outside" sign at the door, if that's your theme.
Food and drink
- Hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, cream, sprinkles and candy canes.
- Snowball truffles or coconut-covered cake balls.
- Mini pies and sausage rolls for something savoury.
- Spiced apple punch served warm, alcohol-free.
- Gingerbread babies decorated by guests as an activity.
- Favours: a mug with cocoa mix, or a small jar of homemade biscuits.
Christmas baby shower games
- Baby stocking guess. Fill a stocking with baby items; guests feel through the fabric and list what's inside.
- Gingerbread baby decorating contest, judged by the mum-to-be.
- Christmas baby names. Guests list as many festive names as they can in two minutes (Noel, Holly, Nicholas, Carol…).
- Snowball wishes. Guests write a wish for the baby on paper, scrunch it into a "snowball" and toss it into a basket.
- Present price guess with wrapped baby items, then unwrap.
- Due date sweepstake, since a winter shower is often close to the birth.
More ideas that work at any shower are in our 30 baby shower games.
Timing around the holidays
- Send invitations 4 to 6 weeks ahead in December, not the usual 3 to 4.
- Avoid the weekend right before Christmas and the days between Christmas and New Year, when people travel.
- January is underrated: calendars are empty and everyone wants a reason to go out.
- If the baby is due in December or January, hold the shower in early November so the mum-to-be isn't too tired.
Family who can't travel at Christmas
Winter is when flights are most expensive, so it's common for grandparents abroad to miss the shower. Give them a part to play: a quiz they answer on their phone, a wish read aloud, or a live game. If you're revealing the gender too, see our Christmas gender reveal ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time for a baby shower?
It can be, if you book early. Send invitations 4 to 6 weeks ahead and avoid the weekend before Christmas and the days up to New Year. January is often easier.
What is a Baby It's Cold Outside baby shower?
A winter theme with snowflakes, mittens, white and silver or soft pastels, and usually a hot chocolate bar. It suits any shower from December to February.
What games can you play at a Christmas baby shower?
Baby stocking guess, gingerbread baby decorating, a festive baby names race, snowball wishes and a wrapped present price guess.