Do you serve food at a drive by baby shower?

A Drive-By Baby Shower has become a big feature over the last year! Pregnancy is an incredible experience like no other. Expectations and anticipation create a world unto themselves. Special events bring much joy to highlight this unique time. And throwing a Baby Shower is one of them.

What is a Drive-by Baby Shower?

When we think of a traditional Baby Shower we usually think of a gathering of family and friends, special food, games, and lots of fun. During the pandemic, drive-by Baby Showers have become super trendy and equally effective. Bringing a message of love and care to the expectant parents and new baby has always been at the core of a Baby Shower. A drive-by Baby Shower accomplishes just that.

More tangible than a virtual Baby Shower, guests will drive-by the designated location at a specific time. Similar to a parade, decorated vehicles will line up and slowly drive past while waving, honking horns, shouting well wishes to the expecting Mommy and Daddy.

Besides the actual drive-by, gifts are always welcomed. Often received by a friend or family member, guests can momentarily stop to hand a gift off from the safe distance of their car or place a gift on a designated gift table. By creatively arranging the gifts on the driveway, lawn, or table, guests will have a chance to view the goodies. The Mom-to-be may want to take a few minutes to chat and thank guests.

Because food is not shared in a group setting, individually wrapped desserts or other catered treats can easily be exchanged whether passed to drivers or taken from a dessert table when stopping to give gifts.

Also, a drive-by Baby Shower has all the elements of a traditional shower, but they are expressed in a new way. The idea remains the same, to shower Mom and new baby with love and support for a new life adventure.

Who Hosts a Drive-by Baby Shower?

A drive-by baby shower is hosted by a person who would normally host a traditional shower. For example, a family member or friend. Also, there is no shame in hosting one yourself! Just remember that these unusual times call for creative solutions. Actually, there isn’t as much to planning and pulling off a drive-by baby shower as an old school shower. Plus there’s no need for housecleaning or major food preparation. Wanting to see your friends’ smiles and receive their good wishes before the baby’s arrival is as traditional as ever.

How Do You Plan a Drive-by Baby Shower?

When planning a drive-by Baby Shower there are certain factors to consider. Some of the planning is the same, however, a few plans will be slightly adjusted. First of all, consider the comfort level for the Mom-to-be.

If you have a garage then think about opening it and setting up a comfy chair or chaise inside. Another idea is to pitch a canopy tent in the yard or driveway. Especially if you are planning a Summer event! Also, consider how to arrange decorations at the chosen spot.

Second, send out invitations a couple of weeks in advance. Whether by email, e-vite, or snail mail, be sure to include location. Also, designate a specific time period. You may want to include a brief explanation of a drive-by Shower. Ask guests to decorate their vehicles with signs, banners, streamers, balloons, etc.

Next, decide where to place the gifts. Choose to set up a decorated table or a place in the yard or driveway. Everyone will want to see all of the pretty gifts so keep them visible for all to enjoy.

Drive-by Baby Shower planning

Certainly, continue with the festive atmosphere as you decorate the yard too. Signs, balloons, arches, streamers, and banners all signal celebration. Flowers and potted plants are also a great addition.

Plan for individually wrapped food items for easy grab and go. Cupcakes and individual dessert treats are a good choice. Alternatively, hiring a caterer to make separate boxes of goodies for each car guest works as well. See our post on Drive By Baby Shower food ideas here for more inspiration.

Another way to involve guests is to ask them to write their well wishes for the new baby and drop them in a jar when dropping gifts. After the shower invite guests to a Zoom gift opening ceremony where these can be read. Words of encouragement and love will help mom feel treasured.

Where do Guests Leave Gifts at a Drive-by Baby Shower?

The gifts, the gifts… what baby shower isn’t complete without gifts for the new baby? Showing love towards mom and baby by gifting is a time-honored tradition. Despite social distancing and masks, guests can still bring presents to the drive-by baby shower. However, it will look a bit different.

One idea is to create a specific area in the yard or on the driveway to place them. Put a colorful cloth down to highlight the space. Add potted plants and flowers to enhance the area. Another option is to place a table outside and decorate it with a sign, balloons, flowers, and a beautiful table covering. Guests can make a quick stop to place the gifts in the appropriate place. If this doesn’t seem feasible, then designate someone to receive the gifts from the guests’ cars.

Certainly, gifts can be preordered and delivered if guests are more comfortable with that and a Gift Registry works great for that reason. Though the methods of giving may have changed, the expression of gifting remains the same.

Basically, when planning a drive-by baby shower you can choose any theme you like! If vintage Campers are your thing, then check out Petals and Picnics who will do a full set up for you.

Check out our Baby Shower themes for girls, Baby Shower themes for boys and our Gender Neutral themes for heaps of ideas.

Remember, you can really go with any theme that you would choose for a traditional Baby Shower. Party planners Claudette’s Events set up this sweet drive by Shower in Miami. They said, “Our clients wanted something very simple so I created this backdrop for them. The color scheme was blush, peach, white & gold with a touch of greenery. The theme was Safari animals with a mask!”.

If you know you are having a boy or girl, you may choose to go the traditional route with a pink or blue shower. Or you may want to go for a Storybook Baby Shower, where guests bring a book for the baby.

Drive-by Baby Shower Decorations

Jazz up a chair for the mom-to-be! Dress it up to look like a thrown. Cover it in soft fabric that matches the theme. Add ribbons and bows. Bunches of balloons to match your color scheme are a lively way to brighten the shower. Hang streamers, display flowers, choose linens to accent the décor. You can even add a balloon arch for extra fun.

Check out the suppliers list here for our fave US based stylists who offer styling, hire and the fully set up!

• Cutie Pie Events
• Hello Pretty Events
• The Simple Luxe Rentals
• Rustic Party Rentals
• Petals and Picnics
• Blissful Crafts
• Claudette’s Events

Drive By Baby Shower Chairs

Of course the Mama to be needs somewhere stylish (and comfy) to sit! If you have a pretty chair in your house, you can use that, borrow one from a friend, hire one from a party hire place or treat yourself to one!

Add a rug underneath for extra luxury and layers, plus some cushions and flowers to soften the look.

Drive-by Baby Shower Signs

Custom make baby shower signs or have signs made. Place them along the drive leading up to where mom-to-be awaits. Drape a large banner behind mom’s chair honoring the beautiful mom-to-be. Consider posting signs designated for gift and dessert areas.

Drive-by Baby Shower Favors

Since the guests are not staying make it easy and give a bag of goodies or a take home treat to each guest as they drive by.

Customized minis are always great for baby showers. Items may include a water bottle with a customized label, tin of mints or candies, mini hand sanitizer with a custom label, gender reveal bath bombs, a packet of wildflowers seeds if having a girl or a packet of herb seeds if having a boy customized stating baby boy or girl in bloom. Slip these items and any others you may want to include into an adorable thank you bag with a message.

Drive-by Baby Shower Tips

1. Plan early
2. Check the weather (Have a backup plan in case of rain). As Event Planner, Hello Pretty Events say “Make sure you check the weather. Remember, the wind is not our friend when it comes to a drive-by party”!
3. Pick a theme!
4. Decide whether guests should hand off gifts or depart from their vehicles and place gifts in a designated gift spot.
5. Choose the menu.

Surprisingly, drive-by Baby Showers have become the new norm. They are interactive and in-person yet socially distanced. On the positive side, Moms do not tend to get overwhelmed or stressed during these showers because they are less time-consuming and less stimulating.

Prior to the drive-by Baby Shower, the mom-to-be interacted and exerted herself quite a bit more than simply waving and blowing kisses to guests as they drive by. While it may be true that we miss the hugs and extra attention, this is a wonderful alternative in a similar fashion to the traditional baby shower.

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