Virtual Baby Shower – Marisa Meidle's Baby Showers

ZOOM Baby Shower

Often times it’s hard to gather our loved ones together, even on special days or events like baby shower. Most of our family and friends are spread-out in different cities and countries that it is really impossible to have everyone around anytime. It’s a miracle if you could, because there’s always one or two who can’t make it due to work, distance and mostly because of travel cost.

But with the technology these days, the impossible may seem possible. There are various meeting or gathering space platforms online. Although not in-person, but closer because you can see each other via live online video.

One of the most popular online space platforms is “ZOOM.” It is a commonplace now for all sorts of gatherings: for work or school or business, and for parties including baby shower.

ZOOM baby shower has been a thing nowadays, it is affordable and practical for both the host, and the guests especially. It is also easy to prapare and plan, and it is inclusive because you can include all the mom-to-be or parents-to-be’s loved ones wherever they are in this world. And it can easily be combined with an in-person guests.

Now, if you are worried whether everyone you wish to invite are familiar with the platform, well guess what? Ofcourse they know how to use ZOOM. If there is anything good brought about by the pandemic, it kind of forced almost everyone to know how to use online space platforms. Almost everyone has experienced using ZOOM, wether for work or school or business or personal or for fun and for gatherings.

Most likely that your guests have already used ZOOM. And it has become the most opt-used video conferencing platform because of its friendly usability. You can host or invite up to 49 members in a video chat at one time, and you can use the platform for free for up to 40 minutes and you can easily another meeting for another 40 minutes of free use. But even if you have to pay for subscriotion, it doesn’t really cost much.

ZOOM baby shower could really save you serious cash. You don’t need to rent for a venue, no need to spend on decorations because ZOOM has many backdrop or background feautures, plus there also many apps online you can use for this. There is also no need to spend on food, which takes up almost 50? of the expenses for any party for that matter. If you have to prepare food, atleast only for the celebrant, and if you have some in-person guests. All your ZOOM guests can each prepare their own food and they’ll be more than glad to do that, no need to tell I suppose.

And because you have saved so much on the supposed expenses, you can put a bit of extra for the games and activities, perhaps some giveaways and prizes for added fun. And above all, you and the guests could make use of the supposed expenses to help out the mom-to-be or parents-to-be prepare all the essentials needed for childbirth and after childbirth.

Finally, if you’re wondering what can the guests do on an online gathering? Well, they can do a lot of activities. In my previous posts I have shared games and activities for an online baby shower. You can explore them or use the ideas for inspiration as you plan for your own activities. In fact, almost all of the in-person activities can easily be modified for online. It is even better online because of the many online feautures you can use like backdrops and backgrounds, sound effects, and all those animated stuff you can play around to help make your activities more fun and lively.

There really is not much of a difference whether you have online or in-person baby shower. Online is even preferred these days because of its practicality, and it’s become so easy to use. So if you are planning for a baby shower and you are having a tough time with guest list coming from different parts of the world, arranging your guests available time just so everyone could come, why not opt for ZOOM baby shower? Im pretty sure the mom-to-be will appreciate it, knowing that having the shower online would allow everyone to join, wherever they are. Plus, your guests will be more than glad.

Virtual Baby Shower Game Ideas

A baby shower or any form of party isn’t fun or complete without some fun activities and games. Virtual party is not an excemption. If you are wondering, “how can do I get my virtual guests to play games? What games should we play? Is it even possible to play virtually?” Well, well you can, and there are lots of games you can play. Infact, most of the games I have shared in my previous posts can be turned into a virtual game.

Here are a few game ideas that are classic favorites that can be played virtually. Hopefully these games will give you idea on how you can give a virtual spin to other party games.

1. CHARADES

I am pretty sure you have already tried playing charades or if not, you have heard of it and have watched how it is played. This is a hilarious and exciting game. It is always good for laughs, especially when you can’t act out the words and had to improvise. You’ll be surprised at how goofy people can be, and it brings out people’s creativity and acting skill.

WHAT YOU NEED:

– list of baby-related actions to act out

HOW TO DO IT:

Before the shower, list down number of baby-related actions. Divide your guests into groups of 3 or 4. Write them down to take note of the members for each team. Then, divide your list into equal numbers of baby-related words.

When you send out invitation, include a note for the game and the list of baby-related words assigned for their team. Then before the game starts, announce the members of each team and confirm that they have received their list of action words.

Groups will take turns in acting out their words, one group after the other and one word at a time. Members of the groups will also take turns in acting out. While one group is acting out, the memmbers of the other groups will all have the chance to guess the word, but before answering, they will have to raise their hand. Watch your screen carefully with the help of the parents-to-be. The first person to raise their hand, gets the chance to guess first, and if their guess is correct, the point goes to his/her group. If the guess is wrong, then others will have to raise their hand on your que. Once all the baby-related words are acted out, the group with the most correct guesses wins.

2. WHAT’S THAT SONG

Who doesn’t love some nursery rhymes or lullaby/baby songs? You must have your favorites. This game is a classic one too, often it is called “name that tune.” This brings out your guests musicality.

WHAT YOU NEED:

– snippets of nursery rhymes and baby songs/lullaby (10 to 15 seconds)
– master list of titles of each snippet
– paper and pen/marker (to be prepared by the guests)

HOW TO DO IT:

Before the party, prepare recordings or snippets (10 to 15 seconds) of popular nursery rhymes or baby songs/lullaby. You can actually access or download these nursery rhymes and baby songs via streaming sites. Make sure that write down the title for each.

You can divide your guests into pairs or small groups or they can play individually. For this game, guests will need a paper and pen/marker. Make sure that when you send out the invitation, you include a note where they will need to prepare paper and pen/marker for the game.

During the game, ask your guests to guess the title of the nursery rhyme or baby song/lullaby. You will play the prepared snippet twice, then give your guests 10 to 15 seconds to write their guess on their paper. After 15 seconds, you will say GO! and all of them must show their answer on the screen. The guest or pair or group who makes the most correct guesses wins.

3. WHO

This is a cute and fun game. Like the previous 2 games, this is also a twist to a game played in usual baby showers (face-to-face) and it’s a classic as well.

WHAT YOU NEED:

– baby pictures of each guest
– paper and pen/marker (to be prepared by the guests)

HOW TO DO IT:

When you send out invitation, attach a note that they will prepare paper and pen/marker for the game and ask them to send you an e-copy/scanned or screenshot of their baby photo. Take note which guest does the photo belong to.

At the beginning of the baby shower, make sure that you have properly introduced each other. Remind them to remember each other’s names or have their full name/nicknames displayed on their screen.

During the game, you will flash or show the baby picture one at a time. Ask your guests to guess which guest it belongs to. They will write the name or nickname on their paper. When you say GO! they will raise their paper and show it on their screen. The guest/s who gets the most correct guesses wins.

These are but few game ideas that you can play virtually. If you have noticed they are all classic games played face-to-face. I have shared a lot of baby shower games in my previous posts, most of them can be played virtually. Take note of the simple spin or changes we made with the above games to make them into virtual games. You can do the same with other games played face-to-face.

It is quite easy to convert games to be played virtually. The only thing that you needed to do is notify your guests ahead of time on what they need to prepare or if they need to send you something (pictures, information, etc).

Finally, it does not make baby showers less fun doing them virtually. In fact, it is more practical and it allows more family and friends to share their love and support to the parents-to-be. Especially, for those who couldn’t come in person due to distance or health reasons. And you can actually have more than one baby shower, why not organize one virtually. It will be great help and support to the parents-to-be.

Virtual Baby Shower Tips

The main goal of holding a baby shower is to not only celebrate the joy of a new life that is about to come, but to make the mom-to-be or parents-to-be feel special and loved by showing and giving them the support that they need.

Parents-to-be, specially for the first timers, it is very important to have that emotional support from family and friends, to help them prepare with the responsibilities of parenthood, among many others.

While it is fun to have face-to-face baby showers, one can also organize them virtually. It may seem a little strange and unusual, but they make a great option especially when parents-to-be have lots of family and friends who are miles aways but really wanted to share with the joy. Also, for those family and friends who cannot physically come for health reasons.

Here are some few tips on how to put together a virtual baby shower.

1. INVITATIONS

Just like any baby shower, the very first thing to do is make a list of invitees. Since, this particular shower is going to be virtual, then make sure that those on your list are either far and or have health reasons. Once you have your list, the first thing is to send out invitation to your guests.

The cool thing with virtual baby shower is you can have the option to use paperless invitation. It is practical, but you can actually do more with it that paper invitations. The only thing you need to ensure is to have correct email addresses. You can also send thru social media sites, so you need their accounts. You can ask the parents-to-be for help on this.

On the other hand, eventhough it is going to be a virtual party, you can still send printed invitation if that is what you prefer. Some guests still love to receive printed invitations for keeps. Or you can do a mix of both.

2. DECORATION

Well, this is a significant part of baby shower. Although it is virtual, the decorations can’t be put aside. Like the usual baby shower, you MUST have decorations. First, you need to decide on a theme. I have shared various baby shower theme ideas in my previous posts. Once you have your theme, select a place where to set-up the party. Since it is virtual, you need not have a bigger venue for your set-up, all you need is enough space for you and the parents-to-be and perhaps a few family members or closest friends. Pretty practical huh?! Leaves you enough room budget-wise, so you could go grandious with your decor.

You can set-up in a room, living room, or you can also have an outdoor set-up like in your garden, by the pool or beachside perhaps. You can get creative by putting some props to give your guest the feel of whatever theme you decide on.

But, if you really want to save on the budget and give that amount for the decor to the parents-to-be instead, then you have wide range of virtual decors or backdrop you can play around with. Most ZOOM and other other virtual meetups platforms these days are so fancy, you can use cool backdrops and many other artsies. So much stuff you can learn online on youtube.

3. GAMES

And ofcourse, a baby shower is not a party without games. Make sure you organize games that you and your guests, specially the parents-to-be will enjoy. You can have guessing games, and even some mental or challenging game ideas, like the ones I have shared in my previous posts. You just need to do a little tweak and turn it into virtual format. I will be sharing baby shower virtual game ideas in my next posts.

4. SHOW SOME LOVE

At the end of the party, the best part is to have a round of congratulatories and special words from the guests to the parents-to-be. For this, give each guest time to write down what they wanted to say, if they wanted to. Give them like 5 minutes to prepare, and while they do that, the parents-to-be can start opening their gifts. Once guests are ready, give each one atlesst a maximum of 2 minutes to say their piece of advice or some sweet words. One guest at a time. Then, give time also for the parents-to-be to express their gratitude.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO PREPARE:

– computer
– camera (for the computer)
– monitor or overhead projector
– microphone (for computer)
– sound system/speaker
– internet connection

Finally, a party need some food and snacks. You can arrange for food delivery to each guests. And you know what, guests always love to have a part in the baby shower. They can arrange their own snacks and bake some goodies. You can also prepare few snacks for you and the parents-to-be. What you need is to have prior communication with your guests on this matter. You will be surprised that many of them would volunteer to share for the foodies.

Virtual baby shower can be as much fun as face-to-face or the usual baby showers. And it is more practical. The only challenge is if there’s connection failure or interruptions, and if there’s bad weather. Other than that, it is going to be awesome. Have fun!