sustainable baby shower gift box

How to throw an eco-friendly baby shower

We all love a baby shower, but it often comes with a lot of waste. Think plastic decorations, disposable tableware, and gifts that might never actually get used.

The good news? You can definitely create a meaningful and beautiful celebration while keeping it sustainable and eco-friendly.

By making simple swaps and thoughtful choices, you can host a baby shower that’s just as special - with less impact on waste and the planet. Here are ideas we love.

Sustainable baby shower ideas for 2025

  • Avoid any single-use disposable decorations
  • Send out digital invitations
  • Host a ‘Make & Do’ baby shower
  • Try the a no-wrap gift challenge
  • Encourage secondhand & handmade gifts
  • Shop small & sustainable
  • Have a ‘bring a dish’ theme for homemade food
  • Give meaningful, waste-free party favours
  • Turn it into a giving moment

 🐑 Browse our Baby Shower Gift Guide

Avoid single-use disposable decorations

As cute as a lot of ‘Pinterest-perfect’ baby shower inspiration is, it often leads to unnecessary waste.

Instead of plastic balloon garlands and themed tableware, decorate with things that last - dried flowers, fairy lights, or secondhand fabric bunting.

Send digital invitations

Printed invitations often end up in the bin. Instead, use a beautifully designed digital invite from platforms like Paperless Post or Canva.

Host a ‘Make & Do’ baby shower 

 Swap traditional games for an interactive experience - guests can hand-decorate baby onesies with natural dyes, make bath soaks for the mum-to-be, or write wishes for the baby in a keepsake book.

Try the no-wrap gift challenge 

Ask guests to bring gifts unwrapped or wrapped in reusable alternatives - a baby blanket, fabric gift bags, or a basket that can double as nursery storage.

Or choose to gift-wrap sustainably

Our Baa Baby Magnetic Close Keepsake Gift Boxes  can be reused to store treasured memories, photos, cards or tiny booties and are fully recyclable if you so wish. 

Shop small & sustainable 

Supporting a local and small business (like us!) has lots of advantages - the opportunity to personalise your gift, and have something truly unique that isn’t available everywhere. It’s also a fantastic way to increase sustainability - reducing mass production and supporting individuals is a much more wholesome experience than reaching for the amazon prime option and will likely bring a much more thoughtful gift.

Offer a ‘pre-loved or handmade’ gift option 

Give guests the choice to bring something secondhand or handmade, whether it’s an outgrown favourite from their own kids or a DIY baby mobile.

Create a zero-waste baby registry 

Add sustainable essentials like organic cotton clothing, cloth nappies, secondhand pram liners, and non-toxic baby care products - things parents will actually use.

Host a ‘bring a dish’ baby shower

We all love home-cooked food but the time and effort involved in planning a baby shower means we are often heading to the supermarket for mini quiches and pastries.

Now is the time to lean on your guests - have a ‘bring a dish’ theme that will allow everyone to contribute something homemade. Baked potatoes are an easy option with lots of salads and fillings, easy to prepare and easy to tidy away.  If everyone brings their own dish of food - they will also take it home with them, win - win!

Party favours that don’t end up in landfill

If you’d like to include something to thank your attendees for coming and giving gifts, you can choose to shop sustainably with small local businesses or even bake cakes as a thank you. Etsy is a great resource for handmade and eco-friendly, or perhaps choose some seed favours to plant wildflowers or herbs.  

Turn it into a giving moment 

Ask guests to bring a donation for a baby bank, or use the baby shower as a way to raise funds for an important cause.

baby gift shower present that is sustainable and eco-friendly

We hope that our sustainable baby shower guide has helped you to see that you don’t have to miss out on the fun of a baby shower to keep it eco-friendly and sustainable. If you need some sustainable gifting inspiration, don’t forget to check out our Baby Shower Gift Guide