Baby Shower Favors Ideas: 35+ Creative and Memorable Gifts
Are you trying to find the perfect baby shower favor ideas? As a mom of five kids who's planned more baby showers than I can count (including my own!), I understand this challenge all too well.
After hosting dozens of showers for friends, family, and even planning my surprise shower for baby number five, I've learned that baby shower favors may seem like a small detail, but they're your way of saying "thanks for celebrating with us" to your guests.
If you're just getting started with the overall planning process, my comprehensive guide on how to plan a baby shower will help you coordinate all the important elements, including baby shower cake ideas, game ideas, and everything you'll need for your baby registry.
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What Are Baby Shower Favors Ideas?
Practical Baby Shower Favors That Guests Will Actually Use
Who needs another trinket nobody wants? Not your guests. After hosting multiple showers, I've learned that practical favors always win the day.
Here are some ideas your guests will genuinely appreciate:
Mini self-care items: Hand lotions, lip balms, or bath bombs in baby-themed packaging (my friend's honey-oatmeal soap bars were quite popular)
Customized drinkware: Coffee mugs or insulated tumblers with cute baby quotes like "Fueled by coffee and baby giggles"
Potted plants: Small succulents or herb seedlings with "Watch me grow" tags (these doubled as table decor at my cousin's shower)
Gourmet treats: Tea or coffee packets with personalized labels that match your theme
Scented candles: In colors coordinating with your shower palette - the vanilla ones I gave out still get mentioned years later
Pocket necessities: Customized hand sanitizers or mini first aid kits (both practical and health-conscious)
Reusable bags: Shopping totes with funny parenting quotes like "This bag contains 99% baby stuff"
My personal favorite? The mini succulents. I still have the one from my friend's shower three years ago. Practical items show you actually thought about what people might enjoy beyond the party.
Budget-Friendly Favor Ideas Under $5
Throwing a baby shower doesn't have to break the bank. When my budget was tight for my cousin's shower, I found inexpensive options that still felt special.
Consider these wallet-friendly ideas:
DIY cookie mix jars: Layer dry ingredients in small mason jars with recipe cards attached - costs less than $2 each when bought in bulk
Personalized matchboxes: With thoughtful messages like "Perfect Match" or "Struck by Love" (these were surprisingly popular at the last shower I hosted)
Seed packets: Attach "Let Love Grow" tags for an eco-friendly option under $1 each
Homemade bath salts: Mix Epsom salts with essential oils and food coloring in decorative mini jars
Custom bookmarks: With baby-themed designs printed at home and laminated for durability
Chocolate-dipped treats: Pretzels or Oreos in clear gift bags with custom tags - both delicious and affordable
Mini bubble bottles: With "Ready to Pop" labels that tie into a baby theme
I was surprised when guests kept complimenting the DIY cookie mix jars from my sister's shower. They cost very little to make but looked like something from a boutique. Sometimes the most budget-friendly options become the most memorable.
DIY Baby Shower Favors That Make a Personal Statement
Nothing says "I care" like something handmade. DIY favors add that personal touch that store-bought items can't match. Making them yourself can also save considerably on costs.
Here are some of my favorite DIY favor ideas with simple instructions:
Honey Jar Favors
Purchase mini honey jars (craft stores have them for reasonable prices)
Create "Meant to Bee" tags using cardstock
Attach tags with twine or ribbon
Add a wooden honey dipper for extra charm
Tea Light Candle Holders
Buy plain glass votives from the dollar store
Use baby footprint stencils and etching cream (available at craft stores)
Follow package directions to create frosted footprint designs
Add a tea light and wrap with cellophane
Bath Bomb Sets
Mix 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, 1/2 cup Epsom salt
Add 1 tbsp water, 3 tbsp oil, and a few drops of food coloring
Press into baby-themed silicone molds
Let dry overnight and package in cellophane bags with ribbon
I'll be honest - making 30 bath bombs for my friend's shower was time-consuming. But seeing everyone's appreciation when they realized I'd made them was worth the effort and baking soda-covered kitchen.
Edible Baby Shower Favors That Delight Every Guest
Food is always a welcome gift. Edible favors guarantee your gift won't gather dust. When I gave out homemade caramels at my cousin's shower, many guests enjoyed them before even leaving the event.
These tasty treats make perfect take-home gifts:
Decorated cookies: Sugar cookies iced to match your shower theme (the onesie-shaped ones are especially adorable)
Mini champagne: Small bottles with custom labels celebrating the new arrival
Gourmet popcorn: In decorative bags with "Ready to Pop" tags - I used different flavors like caramel, cheese, and cinnamon
Cupcake jars: Layers of cake and frosting in small mason jars - these stay fresh for days
Custom chocolate bars: With wrappers announcing baby's name or due date
Macaron sets: 2-3 macarons in pastel colors packaged in clear gift boxes
Flavored honey: Small pots with dipper sticks and personalized labels
The cupcake jars were my personal achievement. Despite limited baking skills, I managed to create these impressive-looking treats. They looked professional enough that one guest asked which bakery I'd ordered them from.
Gender-Specific and Gender-Neutral Favor Options
Whether you're having a traditional blue/pink shower or keeping things neutral, your favors can subtly complement the theme without being cliché.
For Gender-Specific Showers:
Blue or pink macarons packaged in clear boxes with metallic accents
Mini bottles of nail polish in varying shades of pink or blue
Color-themed candles with sophisticated scents (sandalwood for blue, rose for pink)
For Gender-Neutral Celebrations:
Yellow and green succulents in modern concrete pots
Honey jars with black and white "Sweet As Can Bee" tags
Wooden slice ornaments with animal designs that work for any nursery
If you're planning a gender-neutral baby shower, these woodland-themed favors like wooden animal keychains or mini pine tree candles work beautifully with nature-inspired decorations.
Creative Gender Ideas:
"Gender reveal" cookies individually wrapped for guests to open
Dual-colored items that incorporate both traditional gender colors
Animal-themed favors like elephant keychains or fox-shaped soaps
I once created nature-themed favors for my friend's gender-neutral shower using mini terrariums. They were so well-received that several guests asked me to make some for their own events. Sometimes thinking outside the traditional blue/pink box leads to the most memorable favors.
Seasonal Baby Shower Favor Ideas
Timing your shower with the seasons creates natural inspiration for favors. My winter baby shower featured seasonal items that guests still mention years later.
Spring Shower Favors
Flower seed packets with "Blooming with Joy" tags
Mini planters with sprouting herbs
Umbrella-shaped cookies with pastel icing
Floral tea blends in test tubes with custom labels
Summer Shower Treats
Personalized sunglasses (we found nice ones for $2 each)
Mini sunscreen bottles with custom "A Little Ray of Sunshine" labels
S'mores kits with "We Need S'more Friends Like You" tags
Fruit-infuser water bottles in the shower's color scheme
Fall-Themed Goodies
Mini maple syrup bottles with custom labels
Apple-scented candles in mini mason jars
Caramel apple kits with "Sweet Beginnings" tags
Mulling spice sachets for warm fall drinks
For those planning September baby shower themes, consider autumn-inspired favors like mini pumpkin candles or apple cider mix packets that capture the season's cozy feeling.
Winter Favor Ideas
Hot cocoa ornaments (clear ornaments filled with cocoa mix and mini marshmallows)
Mitten-shaped cookie cutters with sugar cookie recipe cards
Snowflake-shaped soap with essential oils
Mini bottles of maple syrup with cinnamon sticks
If you're hosting a winter shower with a teddy bear theme, small teddy bear-shaped soaps or mini hot cocoa sets with bear-themed tags make perfect cozy favors.
The hot cocoa ornaments I made for my December shower received positive feedback. Several guests texted me when they used them at home, mentioning how much they enjoyed them. Seasonal favors tend to feel more thoughtful and relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on baby shower favors?
Most hosts spend $2-$10 per guest. I usually aim for around $5 each but have created nice favors for as little as $2 when buying in bulk. Remember that thoughtful doesn't necessarily mean expensive.
When should favors be given to guests?
Typically as guests leave the shower. Place them near the exit with a thank you note or hand them out personally as people depart.
Is it necessary to give favors at a baby shower?
Not absolutely required, but they're a nice gesture. Even small homemade treats with a thoughtful tag work well if you're on a budget.
How many favors should I prepare?
One per guest, plus about 10% extra for unexpected guests or replacements for any that get damaged.
What are alternatives to traditional baby shower favors?
Donation cards informing guests of contributions made to charity in their honor, or interactive stations where guests create something to take home.
Can game prizes count as favors?
Yes. Just make sure you have simple favors for those who don't win games.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect baby shower favors shouldn't cause unnecessary stress. Whether you choose practical items, sweet treats, or DIY creations, the thought behind the gift matters most.
Some of my most successful favors were actually budget-friendly. Those mini succulent plants are still growing on friends' windowsills years later, while more expensive options have been forgotten.
Select your favorite idea, add a personal touch, and enjoy watching your guests appreciate their special gift. Sometimes the simplest ideas make the most lasting impression.
