Baby Shower Catering Ideas & Menus

Baby Shower Catering Ideas

You have a baby shower coming up, and you want exciting food ideas that will impress your guests and create a memorable experience for the mom-to-be. Don’t worry—Duvall event catering in Charleston has you covered. Below, you’ll find traditional and modern baby shower food ideas from our catering experts that will satisfy every mom-to-be and delight your guests. Plus, we offer expert advice on planning based on the time of your baby shower and how to find the best baby shower caterer in Charleston.

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Baby Shower Food Planning Tips

No matter the style of your baby shower or the types of food you serve, these baby shower food planning tips will help you host the perfect event:

  1. Variety is key: Offer a diverse selection of food options so every guest can find something they enjoy.
  2. Strategic setup: Arrange multiple food stations throughout your venue to prevent congestion and facilitate easy mingling.
  3. Mess-free options: Choose foods that are easy to eat while standing and socializing—nothing too saucy or that requires cutting.
  4. Clear labeling: Use decorative food labels to identify dishes and note any potential allergens for guests with dietary restrictions.
  5. Right quantities: Ensure you have enough food prepared. For appetizers, plan for:
    • 10-12 guests: 5 different appetizer options
    • 25 guests: 9 different appetizer options
    • 50+ guests: 13+ different appetizer options
  6. Mom-to-be’s preferences: Start your planning by considering what the mother-to-be enjoys. What foods does she crave? Any aversions? The event should reflect her taste and comfort.
  7. Dietary considerations: Remember that pregnant women may have specific dietary needs or restrictions—ensure there are plenty of pregnancy-safe options.

Traditional Baby Shower Food Ideas

Traditional baby shower foods combine elegance with comfort, creating a timeless atmosphere that guests of all ages will appreciate:

  • Tea sandwiches: Cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, and chicken salad on crustless bread
  • Cheese and fruit platters: Assorted cheeses paired with fresh seasonal fruits
  • Deviled eggs: Classic preparation or with gourmet additions like truffle or caviar
  • Petit fours: Small, decorated cakes in pastel colors
  • Punch: Non-alcoholic fruit punch served from a decorative bowl
  • Mints and nuts: Small dishes of pastel-colored mints and mixed nuts
  • Chocolate-dipped strawberries: Elegant and always appropriate
  • Vegetable crudité: Fresh vegetables with dip arranged in a visually appealing display

Traditional baby shower food focuses on items that are easy to eat and visually appealing, often incorporating pastel colors and delicate presentations that align with the celebratory nature of the event.

Baby Shower Appetizer Ideas

Appetizers are the heart of just about every event. A healthy variety of fun and delectable appetizers will keep your guests happy and talking. Everyone loves to talk while sharing a meal, and a baby shower full of mingling is a successful gathering. Here are some tantalizing appetizers your guests will enjoy:

  • Mini sausage quiches, filled with savory Swiss and a little bit of spice for heat
  • Mini White Cheddar Pimento Cheese Tartlets
  • Cheesy bruschetta spread for tiny but bold bites
  • Toasted Ravioli, delicately seasoned, served with a side of hearty marinara
  • Mushrooms stuffed with spinach-artichoke for vegetarian bliss
  • Fried prosciutto tortellini to melt in your mouth after a bit of crunch
  • Cheesy flatbread, seasoned with garlic for added zest
  • Decadent mac and cheese balls, deep-fried for a crispy outer layer
  • Deviled eggs, decorated with roasted garlic for added sweetness

Baby Shower Dessert Ideas

Baby shower cookies

Baby showers are a celebration of life, and there’s no better way to enjoy life than with a bit of sweetness. It’s a safe bet that more than one of your guests has a sweet tooth, so you’ll undoubtedly want some desserts to go with your food. Here are some delightful desserts for you and your guests to enjoy:

  • Chocolate dipped strawberries, striped with pink or blue depending on the reveal
  • Pink or blue French macaroons, sugared to perfection
  • Dessert pies filled with strawberry-honey
  • Crunchy and sweet caramel corn parcels
  • Pink or blue chocolate-dipped Oreos for a creamy bite with a lot of crunch
  • An assortment of mini cheesecake parfaits
  • A classic candy table for a variety of sweets, chews, sours, and more
  • Decorative sugar cookies shaped like baby items (bottles, onesies, rattles)
  • Cupcake tower with themed toppers and pastel frosting

Baby Shower Finger Food Ideas

Finger foods are an excellent choice for mingling. You don’t need to rely on silverware to have a quick bite, so guests can mix and mingle with each other. If you want a fun, vibrant atmosphere at your baby shower, you will want some exciting and interesting finger foods. Here are several that will be sure to please:

  • Fresh asparagus, delicately wrapped in flaky pastry
  • Chicken Salad Finger sandwiches, dressed in a dollop of basil mayonnaise
  • Ham and cheese stacks deliver a fun, satisfying bite
  • Individual Shrimp Cocktail Cups with Spicy Sauce
  • Crescent rolls filled with bacon and cream cheese
  • Mini empanadas, filled with chicken and fresh vegetables, vibrantly seasoned
  • Toast dressed in goat cheese and pesto for a sharp, alluring tang
  • Smoked pimento cheese crostini, dressed with hot sauce for a snack that bites back
  • Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil
  • Mini chicken and waffle bites with maple drizzle

Baby Shower Drink Ideas

Every baby shower worth remembering needs a healthy abundance of drinks to keep guests hydrated and refreshed. That goes double for baby showers that you expect to be replete with mingling. And, it’s always fun to have a signature mocktail for your event! Here are a number of drink ideas to keep your shower stocked up:

  • Rainbow spritzers for a healthy and fruity refreshment
  • Cotton candy mocktail, decorated with sides of pink or blue cotton candy
  • Blueberry mocktails for a refreshing twist
  • Mixed berry sangria (non-alcoholic) to cool off in the hot sun
  • Orange dream punch for a zesty but creamy finish
  • Classic sweet tea, iced, and served with a lemon wedge for a little zest
  • Cucumber-mint water, dressed in mint sprigs
  • Lime fizz, served with crushed ice and chilled club soda for a bubbly delight
  • Lavender lemonade, for a delicate drink packed with lemon zest
  • Sparkling cider served in champagne flutes for toasting

Baby Shower Lunch Buffet Menu

A lunch buffet is perfect for a midday baby shower, offering guests a substantial meal while maintaining the festive atmosphere. A well-designed buffet allows guests to customize their plates according to their preferences. Here’s our recommended baby shower lunch buffet menu:

Main Dishes

  • Herb-roasted chicken breast slices
  • Honey-glazed ham
  • Vegetable quiche
  • Pasta primavera

Sides

  • Fresh garden salad with assorted dressings
  • Seasonal roasted vegetables
  • Wild rice pilaf
  • Dinner rolls with herb butter

Dessert Station

  • Miniature cupcakes in pastel colors
  • Fresh fruit tart
  • Chocolate mousse cups
  • Cookie selection

Presentation Tips for Your Baby Shower Lunch Buffet

  • Use tiered platters to create visual interest and save space
  • Incorporate fresh flowers that match your color scheme between dishes
  • Provide clear signage for each dish, especially noting any common allergens
  • Consider the flow of traffic when arranging your buffet table
  • Ensure serving utensils are appropriate for each dish

A buffet-style service is ideal for baby showers as it allows guests to mingle freely and select exactly what they want to eat, accommodating various dietary preferences and restrictions.

What Do You Serve at a 2 p.m. Baby Shower?

As it happens, two o’clock is one of the most common times for baby showers. That presents a challenge. What do you prepare for a group of guests who have probably already had lunch? In this case, you’re going to want something light and snacky.

A good early afternoon baby shower might include:

  • Fresh fruit salad with seasonal offerings
  • An assortment of appetizers (e.g., deviled eggs, veggie sushi, cucumber rounds)
  • A variety of tea sandwiches (cucumber, egg salad, chicken salad)
  • Light pastries and petit fours
  • Cake or cupcakes for dessert
  • Refreshing beverages like iced tea, lemonade, or sparkling water

Many people tend to get tired in the early afternoon, especially post-lunch. So, avoid super filling and greasy foods at this party. Instead, keep things light and refreshing to maintain energy levels throughout the celebration.

What Do You Serve at a Baby Shower Luncheon?

Baby Shower Lunch Menu Idea

If the baby shower you’re throwing is set for lunchtime, you’re in luck. You have an opportunity to get a little more excited If the baby shower you’re throwing is set for lunchtime, you’re in luck. You have an opportunity to get a little more excited with your food variety, and because you’re starting at mealtime, you can go a little heavier with the food. We’re talking about a lunch buffet!

A self-serve luncheon baby shower might include:

  • Assorted finger sandwiches (cucumber cream cheese, egg salad, ham and cheese)
  • Composed salads (garden, Caesar, pasta, potato)
  • Savory soups served in cups for easy enjoyment
  • Sliced fruit platters with yogurt dip
  • Fresh crudité with herb dip and hummus
  • Fluffy and decorated cupcakes or a celebration cake
  • Hot tea, coffee, and cold beverages

Buffets are a great option when you have a group of friends and family with different tastes. They’re an affordable way to please everyone while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.

What Do You Serve at a Baby Shower Brunch?

Baby Shower Brunch Menu Ideas

If your baby shower is closer toward the morning, say around 10 a.m., it’s time to think of breakfast with a side of lunch:

  • Cheddar cheese or buttermilk biscuits with preserves
  • Assorted muffins and breakfast pastries
  • Fresh bagels with various cream cheese options
  • Mini quiches or frittatas with vegetables and cheese
  • Seasonal fruit salad with honey-yogurt dressing
  • Freshly squeezed juices (orange, grapefruit, apple)
  • Coffee and tea station with flavored creamers and sweeteners
  • French toast sticks with maple syrup
  • Yogurt parfait bar with granola and fruit toppings

You can go with these classics or get creative with fun ideas like fried chicken and waffles or breakfast sliders. There are so many artful and tasty food combinations to make for a half-breakfast, half-lunch meal that will delight all your guests!

Baby Shower Catering Ideas for a Girl

Baby Shower Catering Ideas for a Girl

Pink is the color of the day. If the mother-to-be is expecting a girl, there’s a good chance you’ll be putting up pink decorations everywhere. Why not get pink food, too? Here are a few ideas:

  • Bagels with strawberry cream cheese
  • Cherry limeade or pink lemonade
  • Grapefruit yogurt cakes
  • Strawberry-lime bars
  • Pink candy (e.g., M&Ms, chocolate, rock candy, etc.)
  • Watermelon and raspberry fruit salad
  • Pink macarons and cupcakes with pink frosting
  • Smoked salmon on cucumber rounds
  • Raspberry mousse cups
  • Pink champagne cake (non-alcoholic version available)

Consider using pink serving dishes and decorative elements to enhance the theme. Fresh flowers in shades of pink and white can also add to the atmosphere while complementing your food presentation.

Baby Shower Catering Ideas for a Boy

Baby Shower Catering Ideas for a Boy

It can be a little more challenging to find obviously boy-themed foods since there aren’t many edible blue options. However, when you can’t go blue, you can go savory or incorporate blue in creative ways:

  • Loaded purple baked potato rounds
  • Baked ham and brie pastries
  • Deviled eggs with blue details
  • Blueberry pie or tarts
  • Blue tortilla chips with dips
  • Savory meat and cheese platters
  • Blueberry smoothies or blue punch
  • Chocolate-covered pretzels with blue sprinkles
  • Cupcakes with blue frosting
  • Cookies decorated with blue icing

Don’t be afraid to use blue serving platters, napkins, and decorative elements to enhance the theme even when the food itself isn’t blue. Adding blue accents like edible flowers or food coloring to appropriate items can help tie everything together.

Seasonal Baby Shower Menu Ideas

Seasonal Baby Shower Menu Ideas

Tailoring your baby shower menu to the current season can create a cohesive and timely experience for your guests. Here are menu suggestions for each season:

Spring

  • Asparagus and goat cheese tarts
  • Strawberry salad with balsamic glaze
  • Lemon bars and pastel-colored macarons
  • Floral-infused lemonades and teas

Summer

  • Watermelon and feta skewers
  • Chilled cucumber soup shooters
  • Fresh berry trifles
  • Iced tea bar with fruit garnishes

Fall

  • Butternut squash soup shooters
  • Apple and brie crostini
  • Pumpkin spice cupcakes
  • Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks

Winter

  • Cranberry and brie bites
  • Warm spinach-artichoke dip
  • Gingerbread cookies and chocolate peppermint treats
  • Hot chocolate bar with toppings

Incorporating seasonal ingredients not only ensures freshness and flavor but also creates a natural theme that can be carried through in your decorations and color scheme.

What to Look for in a Baby Shower Caterer

Whether you’re planning a baby shower for yourself or someone else, planning the food alone can be a big task. In addition to the planning, you have to do the cooking, presentation, serving, and clean up too.

Another option is to hire a baby shower caterer. But which baby shower caterer do you pick? Here are some qualities to look for when selecting a dependable baby shower caterer:

Excellent Food

The right catering service needs to provide truly outstanding food for the service to be worth the expense. Ask for tastings and review their portfolio of past events.

Flexibility 

A caterer also needs to be able to adapt to the needs of each of your guests. Duvall, for example, can make a custom catering menu based on your desired preferences. If certain guests have dietary restrictions, a worthy caterer will be able to change the plan accordingly (and sometimes even at the last moment).

Full-Service Catering 

Not all catering services are created equal. If you order drop-off catering, you’re still responsible for the food presentation, service, and clean-up. With a full-service baby shower caterer like Duvall, everything is taken care of for you. In addition to food, Duvall can also handle décor and drinks, allowing you time to focus on activity planning and enjoying the party.

Experience That Shows

The best and most reliable factor to consider when choosing a catering service is experience. An experienced caterer will know exactly what they need to bring to the table to meet and exceed expectations. If you want a professional catering service to ensure your baby shower succeeds, choose Duvall Catering & Events. Duvall’s history in Charleston dates to the late 70s, every year filled with impeccable service tailor-made to make the best of every event.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Shower Catering Menus

How much food should you serve at a baby shower?

For a 2-3 hour baby shower, plan for 3-5 appetizers per person, plus dessert. If serving a meal, provide standard portion sizes but slightly smaller than a dinner serving. For a group of 20 guests, prepare at least 7-8 different food options to ensure variety.

What are the best finger foods for a baby shower?

The best finger foods are those that can be eaten in one or two bites without utensils. Mini sandwiches, stuffed pastries, cheese and crackers, fruit skewers, and small dessert bites are all excellent options that allow guests to mingle while eating.

What is traditionally served at a baby shower?

Traditionally, baby showers feature light fare such as finger sandwiches, vegetable platters, fruit displays, deviled eggs, and cake. Modern baby showers may include more substantial options like buffet-style meals or themed food stations.

Should baby shower food match the gender theme?

While coordinating food colors with the baby’s gender can create a cohesive theme (pink foods for girls, blue for boys), it’s not necessary. Focus first on food quality and variety, then incorporate color through garnishes, serving dishes, or select menu items.

How far in advance should you book a baby shower caterer?

Ideally, book your baby shower caterer 2-3 months in advance, especially during busy seasons. This ensures availability and allows plenty of time for menu planning, tastings, and addressing any special requests or dietary needs.

What drinks are appropriate for a baby shower?

Non-alcoholic options are essential, including fruit punches, sparkling juices, mocktails, infused waters, and tea or coffee. If serving alcohol, offer a limited selection like mimosas or wine, and ensure plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives are prominently available.

Work With the Best Baby Shower Catering in Charleston 

Duvall Catering & Events knows Charleston inside and out and can bring your baby shower the best this city offers. If you want the best in professional baby shower catering service, you can depend on Duvall’s decades of experience to deliver on your event.

Don’t stress about the food for your upcoming baby shower. Let our expert team create a memorable experience with delicious, beautifully presented food that will impress your guests and honor the mom-to-be. Call us or contact us to start planning your perfect baby shower menu.