Mother's Day Brunch Baby Shower Ideas
Imagine honoring motherhood twice over—celebrating the mothers in your life while welcoming a new little one. A Mother's Day brunch baby shower is pure magic. From my experience as a mom of 5, gathering the women who've shaped your motherhood journey while preparing for a new baby is incredibly special.
Many modern baby showers now blend two or more themes, allowing hosts to personalize celebrations and appeal to broader tastes. With Mother's Day in May, it's the perfect springtime opportunity for a sophisticated brunch honoring both the mom-to-be and attending mothers.
I'll walk you through creating stunning Mother's Day brunch baby shower ideas—from elegant florals to mouthwatering menus and meaningful activities.
If you're new to baby shower planning, don't worry—I've got you covered with step-by-step guidance. And while you're preparing for the celebration, you might also want to check out our baby registry checklist to ensure the mom-to-be has everything she needs for her little one's arrival.
This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclaimer policy.
What are Mother's Day Brunch Baby Shower Ideas?
Why Combine a Mother's Day Brunch with a Baby Shower
The beauty of a dual celebration is that you're already celebrating motherhood on Mother's Day, so adding a baby shower element feels natural. You're honoring the grandmothers, the mom-to-be, and every special mother figure in between.
From a practical standpoint, you're saving everyone time and money. Instead of asking guests to attend two separate events in May, you're combining them into one memorable gathering.
Here's what makes this combo so brilliant:
Cost savings are real: You're splitting venue costs, decoration expenses, and catering budgets across one event instead of two
Built-in theme: Motherhood connects everything naturally, so your decor and activities flow together seamlessly
Better attendance rates: People are already planning Mother's Day celebrations anyway, so they're more available
Emotional impact: Celebrating multiple generations creates an incredible bonding experience that regular baby showers sometimes miss
Spring timing: May weather is usually gorgeous, giving you perfect conditions for outdoor or garden party vibes
One important tip: be upfront in your invitations about the dual purpose. You don't want guests showing up without a baby gift because they thought it was just a Mother's Day brunch.
Choosing the Perfect Date and Time for Your Dual Celebration
Mother's Day always falls on the second Sunday in May. Here are your scheduling options:
Option 1: Mother's Day Sunday Itself If you host on actual Mother's Day, schedule a mid-morning brunch from 10 AM to 1 PM. This gives guests the afternoon and evening for other Mother's Day activities. Starting at 10:30 AM hits that sweet spot.
Option 2: The Saturday Before Mother's Day This is my favorite option. Saturday gives you more flexibility with timing and doesn't compete with traditional Sunday Mother's Day plans. You can do a later brunch starting at 11 AM or noon.
Option 3: The Weekend After Mother's Day If the Mother's Day weekend is too packed, the following weekend works perfectly. You're still riding that Mother's Day energy, and it takes pressure off everyone's schedules.
Here's what I recommend for timing specifics:
Start time: Between 10 AM and 11:30 AM works best for brunches
Duration: Plan for 2.5 to 3 hours total
Activity timing: Save games and gift-opening for about an hour into the event, after everyone's eaten
Send invitations: Mail or email them 5 to 6 weeks before the event
RSVP deadline: At least two weeks before your event
Consider the pregnant mom's energy levels. Morning events work better for pregnancy fatigue. Also think about naptime if young children are invited. Weather's another factor—if you're planning outdoors, always have a backup plan.
Stunning Mother's Day Baby Shower Decor Ideas
Decorating for a Mother's Day baby shower lets you combine elegant Mother's Day vibes with sweet baby shower touches.
Color Palette Pastel combinations work beautifully—think blush pink, sage green, soft lavender, and buttery yellow. Pick 2-3 main colors and add metallic touches for extra polish.
Floral Centerpieces That Wow Flowers are non-negotiable for this event. May brings peonies, tulips, roses, and hydrangeas all in season.
What works really well:
Low centerpieces in vintage vases or mason jars so people can see each other across the table
Bud vases with single stems at each place setting as favors guests can take home
Hanging installations if you're feeling fancy (these look incredible in photos)
Flower garlands running down the center of long tables mixed with candles and greenery
Budget tip: buy flowers from Costco or Sam's Club. You can get massive bunches for $15-20, and nobody knows the difference once they're arranged nicely. Stick with lightly scented or unscented blooms since some pregnant women are sensitive to strong smells.
Table Settings That Impress Layer different textures for a sophisticated brunch vibe. Start with a nice tablecloth, add chargers under your plates, and use cloth napkins instead of paper.
Quick table setting formula:
Charger plate or placemat
Dinner plate
Small salad or dessert plate
Cloth napkin (simple fold with a fresh flower tucked in)
Silverware appropriate for brunch foods
Water glass and tea cup or coffee mug
Small place card with guest's name
Balloon Magic Without Going Overboard Organic balloon garlands use balloons in varying sizes clustered together with greenery woven through. You can DIY them using a YouTube tutorial in about 2 hours, saving around $300.
For a Mother's Day baby shower, go with:
Soft pastels mixed with white and cream
Occasional metallic gold or rose gold balloons for sparkle
Fresh eucalyptus or other greenery woven throughout
Placement over the gift table, dessert table, or as a photo backdrop
Creating That Garden Party Aesthetic If you have access to an outdoor space, use it:
String lights hung between trees or on a pergola
Potted plants and flowers grouped together as decor that doubles as favors
Wooden elements like crates or rustic signs
Vintage furniture pieces for photo opportunities
Outdoor rugs to define the party space
Signage and Personal Touches Create a sign that says something like "Celebrating Mothers Past, Present, and Future." Set up a photo display with framed childhood photos of the mom-to-be, her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother showing the progression of motherhood through generations.
Decor on a Budget Budget-friendly decor hacks:
Use items you already own before buying new
Hit up dollar stores for vases, candles, and small decor items
Make your own centerpieces with grocery store flowers
Print your own signs using free templates online
Borrow items from friends who've hosted similar events
Focus spending on one or two statement pieces and keep everything else simple
Delicious Brunch Menu Planning for Your Shower
The Mimosa Bar Everyone Will Love A mimosa bar is basically a requirement for a Mother's Day brunch.
Setup:
4-5 bottles of affordable champagne or prosecco
4-6 juice options in pretty pitchers with labels
Fresh fruit garnishes and other mix-ins
Mocktail options for the mom-to-be
Juice options that work great:
Classic orange juice (always have this)
Fresh grapefruit juice
Pineapple juice
Mango nectar
Peach juice or nectar
Cranberry juice
Make "mom-osas" using sparkling cider or flavored sparkling water instead of champagne. Pro tip: freeze fruit into ice cubes to keep drinks cold without diluting them.
Savory Stations That Please Everyone Quiches and frittatas are your best friends—easy to make ahead, serve well at room temperature, and feed a crowd efficiently.
Go-to quiche combinations:
Spinach and Feta: Classic, vegetarian-friendly
Bacon and Gruyere: For the meat-eaters and cheese lovers
Tomato and Basil: Light, fresh, and pregnancy-safe
Other savory options:
Smoked salmon display with bagels, cream cheese, capers, red onion, and cucumbers
Breakfast sandwich bar with croissants, English muffins, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese
Avocado toast station with different toppings
Yogurt parfait bar with granola, fresh fruit, honey, and nuts
The Sweet Treats Table Mix French pastry shop vibes with homestyle comfort:
Assorted mini croissants (plain, chocolate, almond)
Fresh scones with jam and clotted cream
Fruit tarts or mini fruit cups
Petit fours in pastel colors
Donut holes or mini muffins
Macarons (if budget allows)
Coffee cake or cinnamon rolls
Fresh Fruit Display Present a mix of whole strawberries, mixed berries, melon balls, pineapple chunks, grapes, and kiwi slices on a tiered stand or in a carved watermelon basket.
Coffee and Tea Service Brew multiple pots of coffee and keep them hot in carafes, or rent a large coffee urn. Set up a tea station with:
Electric kettle or hot water dispenser
5-6 tea varieties (black, green, herbal, decaf options)
Honey, sugar, and lemon slices
Vintage tea cups
Dietary Accommodations Include a line in invitations asking about dietary restrictions. Make sure to have:
At least one vegetarian main option
Gluten-free choices
Dairy-free alternatives
Nut-free options if anyone has allergies
Label everything with ingredients or allergens.
Budget-Friendly Approach Cost-cutting strategies:
Make simple items yourself that can be prepped ahead
Buy from grocery stores instead of caterers—Costco, Whole Foods have great party platters
Do a partial potluck where close family brings signature dishes
Focus on fewer items done well rather than overwhelming variety
Use seasonal ingredients which are cheaper and taste better
Creative Activities That Honor All Mothers
The "Advice for the New Mom" Station Set up a station with pretty cards, nice pens, and a decorated box. Guests share motherhood advice or favorite memories. This is meaningful, inclusive, and creates a beautiful keepsake.
Flower Crown Making Station Provide floral wire, fresh flowers, greenery, floral tape, scissors, and ribbon. Everyone from young girls to grandmothers enjoys making their own crown, which doubles as both an activity and a party favor.
Memory Sharing Circle Gather everyone together and invite each mother to share a brief favorite memory from their motherhood journey. Work through the generations, creating a beautiful flow of wisdom being passed down.
Prompts that work well:
"What surprised you most about becoming a mother?"
"Share your favorite memory from your children's early years"
"What piece of advice did your own mother give you that stuck with you?"
Guess the Baby Photo Game Collect baby photos of all the mothers attending (not just the mom-to-be's family). Print and number them, then have guests guess who's who. This honors all the mothers there.
The Wishing Tree Set up a small tree branch in a vase with leaf-shaped cards. Guests write wishes, hopes, or dreams for the baby on the leaves and hang them on the tree.
Recipe Card Exchange Ask each mother to bring a recipe card with a family favorite. The mom-to-be ends up with a collection of tried-and-true recipes from multiple generations.
Plant Potting Activity Have guests pot their own small plant to take home. Provide small terracotta pots, potting soil, small plants or succulents, and paint pens for decorating.
Photo Booth Fun Create a simple photo booth area with props that work for both themes—speech bubbles with sayings, flower crowns, vintage picture frames, and baby items.
Activities to Skip
Don't melt chocolate in diapers for guessing games
Skip the belly measuring game
Avoid drinking games
Don't do activities that exclude non-mothers
Thoughtful Invitations That Set the Tone
Wording That Works Be crystal clear that this is both a Mother's Day celebration AND a baby shower.
Examples:
"Join us for a Mother's Day Brunch Celebrating Sarah Johnson & Baby Johnson As we honor mothers past, present, and future"
Or:
"A Dual Celebration! Mother's Day Brunch & Baby Shower for Emily Martinez Sunday, May 11th at 10:30 AM"
Always include: "Baby registry information can be found at [store name/website]"
Design Elements Use watercolor florals, soft pastel color palettes, elegant typography, gold or rose gold foil accents, and botanical illustrations.
Digital vs. Printed Invitations Digital saves $60+ and offers easy RSVP tracking. Printed feels more special but costs $2-3 per invite with postage. Choose based on your audience and budget.
Essential Information to Include
Must-haves:
Host's name(s)
Guest of honor's full name
Date and day of week
Start time (and end time if you want)
Full venue address with parking info
RSVP deadline and contact method
Registry information
Dress code if you have one
Timing Send invitations 5-6 weeks before the event. Set RSVP deadline for 2-3 weeks before the shower.
Gift Ideas and Registry Considerations
Setting Up the Registry Register at 2-3 stores: one major retailer, one baby specialty store, and maybe one higher-end option for group gifts. Include items at different price points from $15 to $300+.
The Mother's Day Gift Complication Guests should not bring two gifts. The baby shower gift is the main gift. As the host, have small tokens of appreciation for grandmothers-to-be and special mothers attending.
Group Gift Opportunities For bigger items like cribs or strollers, organize group gifts where multiple people chip in $30-50 each for one major purchase.
Handling Gift Opening
Options:
Traditional opening during event (30-45 minutes toward the end)
Display gifts, open later privately
Hybrid approach (open a few special gifts during party, save rest for later)
Books Instead of Cards Ask guests to bring a children's book with a personal message written inside instead of a traditional card. This builds the baby's library with meaningful keepsakes.
Party Favors That Guests Will Treasure
Potted Plants or Succulents Small potted plants ($3-5 each in bulk) symbolize growth and nurturing. Personalize with painted pots or thank-you tags.
Artisan Tea or Coffee Blends Loose leaf tea in small tins with custom labels ($4-6 per favor), or single-origin coffee beans in small bags work perfectly for a brunch event.
Homemade Treats Jam or preserves in small mason jars ($2-3 per jar), honey jars with custom labels, or homemade soap are personal and appreciated.
Scented Candles Order soy candles in spring scents like lavender, peony, or vanilla ($4-7 each in bulk) with custom labels.
Seed Packets Little seed packets of wildflowers or spring flowers ($0.50-1 each) with messages like "Watch Love Grow" are sweet and symbolic.
Budget Plan for $3-7 per favor depending on guest count. For 30 people, that's $90-210 on favors. Focus on one thoughtful favor rather than multiple small items.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Hosting a Combined Event
Setting a Realistic Budget For a 30-person Mother's Day baby shower:
Venue: $0-300
Food and drinks: $200-500
Decorations: $75-150
Invitations: $30-80
Favors: $90-150
Cake: $40-100
Miscellaneous: $50-100
Total: $485-1,380
Venue Selection Strategies Free or low-cost options:
Your home or a family member's home
Your backyard or garden
A public park pavilion ($25-75)
Community center ($50-150)
Church fellowship hall (often free for members)
DIY Decorations
Balloon garland: $30-40 versus $200+ to buy pre-made
Floral centerpieces: $60-80 for 6-8 arrangements versus $200+ from a florist
Paper flowers: Under $30 for entire backdrops
Printables: $10-20 versus $50+ for pre-made signage
Natural elements: Free greenery from your yard
The Potluck Approach You provide main dishes or proteins; guests bring sides, salads, and desserts. Create a shared sign-up sheet. Cost: about $150 for 30 people versus $500+ if you do it all yourself.
Focus Your Spending Pick 1-2 areas most important to you and invest there. Save everywhere else. Spend money where guests will notice and remember it.
Creating an Inclusive and Comfortable Atmosphere
Acknowledging That Mother's Day Is Complicated Some guests might be struggling with infertility, grieving a lost child, childless by choice, or missing a mother who's passed away. Frame activities as inclusive of "anyone who's been mothered or been a mother figure to someone."
Seating Arrangements
Mix generations at tables
Put quieter guests with chatty people
Create conversation starter cards for each table
Ensure accessibility for elderly guests or those with mobility issues
Give the mom-to-be a comfortable seat
Food Inclusivity Always have vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free options clearly labeled. Include pregnancy-safe foods.
Activities Without Pressure Make games and activities optional, never forced. Don't call people out or put them on the spot. Have quiet spaces for breaks.
Physical Comfort Ensure comfortable temperature, adequate seating, shaded areas if outdoors, accessible parking, and easily accessible bathrooms.
Making Everyone Feel Welcome
Greet each guest personally when they arrive
Introduce people who don't know each other
Thank everyone for coming
Pay attention to who looks uncomfortable and engage them
Take group photos
Send thank-you notes after the event
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it appropriate to combine a Mother's Day celebration with a baby shower?
Absolutely. It creates a beautiful celebration of motherhood across multiple generations. Just make sure invitations clearly communicate the dual purpose.
How do I word invitations for a Mother's Day brunch baby shower?
Make it crystal clear that this is both celebrations. Example: "Join us for a Mother's Day Brunch celebrating [Name] & Baby [Last Name] as we honor mothers past, present, and future."
Should I give gifts to the mothers attending, not just the mom-to-be?
Small tokens of appreciation are nice but not required. Flowers, potted plants, candles, or heartfelt cards work well.
What's an appropriate budget for a Mother's Day brunch baby shower?
Plan for about $25-50 per person. For 30 people, that's roughly $500-1,000 total, though beautiful showers can be done for $300-400 with DIY and smart planning..
How do I handle gift-opening during a dual celebration?
Options: (1) Set aside 30-45 minutes toward the end, (2) Display gifts during the event but open privately later, or (3) Open a few special gifts during the party, save rest for later.
Conclusion
Creating a Mother's Day brunch baby shower is about celebrating multiple generations of mothers in one beautiful gathering. You're not just throwing a party—you're creating a meaningful experience that honors the incredible women who shape our lives.
The beauty of combining Mother's Day with a baby shower is that motherhood is already your theme. Everything flows naturally—the spring flowers, the brunch foods, the activities that celebrate nurturing and family.
Whether you're going all out with elaborate decorations or keeping things simple with backyard charm, what matters most is the love and intention behind it all. The mom-to-be will remember how special she felt and how connected everyone was.
Here's to celebrating mothers—past, present, and future—all in one gorgeous spring brunch.
