Your baby shower is the opportunity for your friends and family to celebrate your upcoming arrival—and, of course, shower you with the clothing and gear you’ll need as you start this new life stage!

Chances are, after your baby shower comes to a close, you’ll find yourself inundated with gifts lovingly given by family and friends—which means two things: You’ll be well prepared for baby’s arrival, and you’ll have plenty of baby shower thank you cards to write. But when should you send them, and what should you say? Here’s the 411 on baby shower thank you cards etiquette.

In this article:
When to send baby shower thank you cards
Baby shower thank you wording
Cute baby shower thank you cards

When to Send Baby Shower Thank You Cards

In a perfect world, you’d send your baby shower thank you notes within two to three weeks of the event, says Katherine Kommer, Lead Planner for Baby Showers Inc., a baby shower planning firm based in New York City.

“That being said, life is hectic and preparing for a baby is a lot of work, so up to three months after the shower is acceptable,” says Kommer, who notes that baby showers are typically held six to eight weeks before the due date. Keep in mind that as busy as you are in the last weeks of pregnancy, it’s even harder to find the time to write baby shower thank you notes after your child arrives—something that, as a new mom herself, she can attest to personally.

If you don’t make that deadline, remember that it’s never too late to show gratitude! Texting over a photo of your baby wearing her new clothes or using his new swaddle blanket can tide you over until the day you finally get enough sleep to sit down and hand-write a note. “It’s always better to be late than never, and your friends will be gracious even if it’s six months down the line,” says Kommer. That’s especially true for gifts sent ahead of the baby shower or by mail, since you want to make sure the gift-giver knows you received the present.

Baby Shower Thank You Wording

Whether you’re in the last few weeks of pregnancy or learning to be a parent, it can be hard to figure out what to write in a baby shower thank you card. So we’re giving you a few helpful hints.

The general format is to include lines thanking the gift-giver for the item you received, express how grateful you are that they made time to attend your shower, and mention how you’re expecting to use or enjoy the gift. “You don’t have to go crazy writing an essay!” Kommer says.

Here are a few starter phrases for baby shower thank you cards:

Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift!
I’m excited to use it once the baby is here–I’m sure it’ll come in handy all the time.
It was so wonderful to see you at the baby shower.
I really appreciate all of your support during my pregnancy.
I can’t wait for you to meet the baby!

If you’re sending a thank you message for baby shower host, acknowledge the effort they put into planning the event and reference some of the details that made your baby shower really special, like flower arrangements, decorations or DIY projects you know they put a lot of thought into. Some moms-to-be choose to add a little thank you gift, like a gift certificate, but it’s not necessary.

Cute Baby Shower Thank You Cards

Of course, you’ll need stationery to write those baby shower thank you notes on! If you don’t have cards already, consider ordering ones that match the baby shower invitations. Otherwise, choose ones that reflect your style, or indulge in the sweetest designs you can find. Here, a few fun picks for baby shower thank you cards.

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Flowers are a classic motif for baby shower thank you cards—they’re friendly, colorful and oh-so-sweet. We love this pick for its hand-painted appeal.

Buy it: Baby Roses Baby Shower Thank You Cards, from $1.62 per card, Minted.com

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One and two and baby makes three! Reference your growing family with this sweet illustration of a family of sheep.

Buy it. Laurel Arrival Thank You Card, from $0.65 per card, Shutterfly.com

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This high-contrast color block thank you card is just right for the fashion-forward mom. Make your baby shower thank you notes extra meaningful with your personalized name at the bottom.

Buy it: Modern Color Block Thank You Card, from $0.76 per card, Shutterfly.com

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Get excited about all things baby with this cheerful, balloon-themed thank you card. Fitting, seeing as you’re likely bursting with joy.

Buy it: Up and Away Thank You Card, from $0.89 per card, Minted.com

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Consider this customized baby shower thank you card—a standout, thanks to its romantic floral design. It comes in four different color palettes, so you can find one that works with your baby shower color scheme.

Buy it: Peony Floral Vine Thank You Card, from $1.67 per card, Minted.com

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What’s sweeter than peaches and pint-size strawberries? This playful card offers a whimsical take on mamas and their little ones through cute fruit illustrations.

Buy it: Fruitful Watercolor Thank You Card, from $0.65 per card, Shutterfly.com

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If you’re saying thank you after baby has arrived, use a photo card to share their sweet face with the world.

Buy it: Word Bubble Thank You Card, from $0.89 per card, Minted.com

Updated November 2018

Plus, more from The Bump:

Baby Shower Etiquette: How to Plan a Shower

20 Unique Baby Shower Invitations for Every Kind of Party

The Best Baby Shower Hostess Gifts Based on Her Personality

Rachel Kopriva & Jason Murphy's Registry

Baby Shower Tips