Of course, if you really want to go above and beyond, you can create consistency by delivering a treat and some paper plates or napkins to all guests, says Carter.

It's a nice idea to ask guests to have a refreshment on hand to toast the mama-to-be, but otherwise, this is one thing you can check off of your list.

While brunch is a normal focal point of any in-person baby shower, it's not a standard part of virtual celebrations. The host can ship a box of festive accoutrements-a sash, a banner, balloons, and a personalized cup, for example-to the guest of honor prior to the event. How exactly? If the mother-to-be has a partner, this is a great way to involve them in the celebration. Offering to do a trial run for guests that may not be as tech savvy as others can go a long way to ease everyone's nerves, too, says Carter. No matter what kind of invitations you send, don't forget to include important details like any password required to enter the online event, any supplies guests might need handy to play party games, registry information, and attire (the party will feel much more special if people change out of those sweatpants!).

To keep things contactless and moving as swiftly as possible, you can even download and print custom invites from Etsy. When everyone is home spending so much time on their devices, snail mail is a welcome surprise. Online invitations from companies like Paperless Post are an obvious choice for virtual baby showers, but sending traditional paper invites is a nice way to formalize the event. (Note: Some of these features require an inexpensive account upgrade.) Still, there are plenty of other digital platforms that work just as well, like Google Hangouts and Skype. The most popular is Zoom, since it can accommodate a large number of 'guests,' plus offers the flexibility of decorative backgrounds and even breakout rooms to team up for party games.

There are a number of free or low-cost 'venues' for your virtual baby shower. But what exactly is a virtual baby shower? And how do you throw a gathering or happy hour when partygoers-including the guest of honor-are confined to their own homes? Surprisingly, it's not as difficult as one might think.

Free zoom backgrounds for baby shower