Once you plan out your baby shower games, you have to figure out what kind of prizes you’re going to give out.
This can be stressful when you don’t know who is going to win a prize. You can’t really buy for a specific person.
It has to be able to go to anyone invited. It could go to your crazy teenage cousin or your super Catholic grandma.
Here are 10 prizes for baby shower games that will (hopefully) fit pretty much anyone.
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Tips for Giving Out Prizes at Your Baby Shower
How many prizes do you need?
Your guests should have at least a 1 in 10 chance of winning. So if you have 30 guests, you’ll need at least 3 prizes.
You can always do more, but I would do at least one for every ten people you invite.
How do you decide which prize to give for each game?
You have a couple of options:
- You can have the prizes wrapped and the winner chooses one.
- The gifts are not wrapped (everyone can see what they are) and the winner gets to pick the one they want.
- The host or the mom-to-be picks a random one to give to the winner.
- You specify a certain prize for each game before the party starts.
It’s really up to you, but I like the idea of letting the winner choose the prize they want.
It would be less stressful to just give them out at random and not have to choose a prize for each baby shower game.
But if you are super organized and you want to be specific, you do you.
Does the winner have to give the prize to the mom-to-be?
Apparently there’s a tradition of giving the prizes to the mom-to-be (Or in the case of bridal showers, the bride.)
I’ve seen it happen at least two or three times at showers I’ve been to. So don’t be surprised if someone offers their prize up.
I personally don’t like this tradition because the point of giving out prizes is to give back to your friends and family that are giving you a lot more in gifts. And it takes the fun out of winning.
So, no. They don’t HAVE to give up their prize. But they can if they really want to.
Are Prizes and Party Favors the same thing?
No. Prizes are usually worth at least $5 up to $20. Party favors are much cheaper or simple like little bags of candy.
You don’t need to do both at your shower, but most people do.
Party favors go to everyone that comes to the shower. Prizes are only for people who win baby shower games.
What happens if there’s a tie?
You’d either need a spare prize or a tiebreaker game. Here are some tie breaker games you can use for your shower.
Ok, on to the prize ideas!
1. Gift cards
Who doesn’t love gift cards?
If you get one to the right place, they’re basically cash. Gift cards can be to anywhere your friends might like such as Starbucks, Target, or (my personal fave) Amazon.
They don’t have to be huge amounts. Get a couple of $5 or $10 cards or you can do one big prize of $20 or $25.
Diaper raffles tend to have a larger prize so a gift card would be perfect to reward your friends.
For my BFF‘s baby shower, we gave out Starbucks gift cards to all of the winners because she requested the chillest of baby showers.
2. Movie nightgift bag
Most people have Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video so you don’t necessarily need to include a DVD or BluRay.
But if you want to, you can get one from the Walmart $5 bin.
Add in a bag of popcorn and some theater style candy,and you’ve got a movie night in a bag!
3. Smelly stuff
Ok, so I’ve never been a fan of giving “smelly stuff” because it’s so impersonal. But at the same time, I love getting shower gels and lotion because then I never have to buy it!
I can’t tell you the last time I actually purchased shower gel for myself.
I always get some from The Body Shop. They have great lotions and gels.
Bath bombs are really popular now too. You can get a gift set for about $13.
Candles also fall under the smelly stuff category. For some reason, we as women love candles. They smell amazing, and they’re perfect for a luxurious bath.
Yankee Candlesare my favorite candles to give as gifts or prizes. A good smelling candle is a safe bet for any woman.
4. Baked goods
You can send the winner home with a homemade pie or batch of cookies or banana bread! No one said you had to buy the gifts!
Of course, if you’re bad at baking like me, you CAN go down to the store and pick up something from the bakery.
Cookies are cookies. And no one makes fancy donuts like professionals.
The winner’s family will also thank you!
5. Coffee gift bag
Keurigs are about as common as Netflix.
Pick out a cute mug, get some k-cups, and you’ve got yourself a little coffee gift bag.
If you’d rather go the traditional route, pick out a bag of coffee grounds to go with the mug.
This is something I’d definitely love to win.
Another coffee related gift you could give as a prize is a mug warmer. They’re really affordable and very useful. My coffee always goes cold unless it’s on my mug warmer.
6. Wine
You’re buying a gift for a woman. Obviously, wine is on this list.
I lovea great bottle of Moscato. You can also go with a Chardonnay or a Pinot Grigio because they tend to be crowd favorites.
You can always ask around ahead of time if the group has a favorite wine.
Even though the mom-to-be can’t drink, wine is still one of my favorite prizes for baby showers games.
If you don’t want to give out actual wine, maybe pick up some wine glasses (or margarita glasses) as a prize instead.
Stemless wine glasses are my favorite.
(Just make sure the person who wins the wine isn’t an alcoholic or sober. That’d be awkward.)
7. Chocolate and more chocolate
Did I mention chocolate? Because chocolate.
Oh, there are so many good options when buying chocolate.
Lindt truffles are amazing. There’s also Godiva, Dove, and FerreroRocher. UGH. So much crave happening right now.
Get a bar or a small bag of truffles or wrapped candies. Sure, you could go with the regular candy like Snickers but gourmet chocolate is just more luxurious.
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t appreciate chocolate gifts. They’re a great prize that everyone will love.
8. Plants or flowers
Now, I don’t claim to be a green thumb, and I’m sure some of the women attending the shower are not either.
So, you may want to get a plant that is hard to kill like aloeor other succulents. Bamboo is also pretty hard to kill.
Fresh flowers are another prize option.
Grab a bouquet and a standard vase and you’re all set. There are a couple of cons with buying flowers, though.
- They die like a few days after the winner gets them.
- You pretty much have to buy them the day of the party so they’re fresh.
But they’re really pretty and usually very appreciated. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers?
9. Book lover gift bag
It will be pretty hard to pick out a book that everyone will like or may not have.
So you will probably want to get a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. $5 to $10 will be enough for a new book.
Include a pretty bookmarkor book thong (I LOVE THESE) and a k-cup to enjoy while reading!
10. Kitchen Tools and Utensils
I’ve won cutting boards from a baby shower years ago, and I still use them.
You can get some great kitchen tools usually for less than $10, and they make great prizes.
People often don’t think about replacing their spatulas or measuring spoons. My measuring spoons have completely worn off the label so I’m not even sure if it’s a tablespoon anymore.
It’s nice to get useful prizes. I like to know that the prize winners will actually use what I give them.
Kitchen tool ideas to put in a prize pack:
- Spatulas and whisks
- Measuring spoons or cups
- Cutting boards
- Cheese plate and spreader set
- Serving spoons or forks
- Charcuterie board
- Pizza cutter
- Mini egg frying pan
- Decorative paper towel or napkin holder
- Flour and sugar storage containers
- Decorative hand towels
What prizes for baby shower games do you like to win?
Let me know in the comments below!
I would be perfectly happy with any of these prizes for baby shower games. But I think I’d like wine the most. lol
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As a seasoned event planner and baby shower enthusiast, I've organized and attended numerous gatherings, including baby showers, where the choice of prizes plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall experience. My wealth of experience in this domain has equipped me to provide insights into the intricacies of selecting appropriate prizes for baby shower games.
Firstly, when planning prizes, it's crucial to consider the number of guests. I recommend ensuring that each guest has at least a 1 in 10 chance of winning, maintaining an inclusive and engaging atmosphere. This aligns with the principle of fairness and adds an element of excitement to the event.
Regarding the selection process for distributing prizes, there are several options. You can opt for wrapped prizes where winners choose from a selection, or alternatively, unwrap the gifts for everyone to see, allowing the victor to pick their preferred prize. The choice between these methods largely depends on personal preference, but the flexibility of letting winners choose their prizes is often well-received.
There's a tradition associated with baby showers where the winners give their prizes to the mom-to-be. However, I challenge this tradition, emphasizing that the purpose of prizes is to express gratitude to friends and family. While some may choose to follow this tradition, it is not obligatory, and winners can keep their prizes, maintaining the joy of winning.
Distinguishing between prizes and party favors is essential. Prizes typically have a higher value, ranging from $5 to $20, while party favors are simpler, cheaper items like candy bags. While not mandatory, incorporating both prizes and party favors can cater to different preferences and budget considerations.
In the case of tiebreakers, having spare prizes or additional tiebreaker games is crucial to resolving any deadlocks and ensuring an enjoyable and fair competition.
Now, let's delve into the suggested prizes for baby shower games mentioned in the article:
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Gift Cards: Consider versatile options like Starbucks, Target, or Amazon. Gift cards, whether in smaller denominations or as a larger prize, provide recipients with the flexibility to choose their preferred items.
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Movie Night Gift Bag: An inclusive option featuring items like popcorn, theater-style candy, and perhaps a DVD or BluRay for a cozy movie night at home.
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Smelly Stuff: While some may find scented items impersonal, quality shower gels, lotions, bath bombs, and candles, particularly from reputable brands like The Body Shop or Yankee Candles, can make for luxurious and appreciated prizes.
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Baked Goods: A heartfelt and homemade touch, winners can receive a delicious pie, batch of cookies, or banana bread. Alternatively, store-bought bakery items can also be a delightful treat.
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Coffee Gift Bag: With the prevalence of Keurigs, a coffee-themed prize including a cute mug and either K-cups or ground coffee can cater to coffee enthusiasts.
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Wine: A classic and popular choice, a bottle of wine, or wine glasses, can be a sophisticated prize. Ensure the recipient is comfortable with alcohol and, if not, consider alternatives like non-alcoholic beverages.
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Chocolate: Indulge winners with gourmet chocolate options such as Lindt truffles, Godiva, Dove, or Ferrero Rocher. A sweet treat that appeals to a broad audience.
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Plants or Flowers: Hardy plants like aloe or succulents, along with fresh flowers, can bring a touch of nature to the winners' homes. Keep in mind the perishable nature of flowers.
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Book Lover Gift Bag: Acknowledge diverse reading preferences with a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble, along with a bookmark or book thong and a K-cup for a cozy reading experience.
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Kitchen Tools and Utensils: Practical and useful prizes like spatulas, whisks, cutting boards, and other kitchen tools can be both thoughtful and appreciated by recipients.
These prize ideas cover a range of preferences, ensuring that the winners will find something they love. The key is to offer a diverse selection that adds excitement and gratitude to the baby shower experience.
