In a baby shower card, congratulate the parents-to-be by name, say one warm thing about the parents they are going to be, and wish them well for the birth and the first weeks. Two or three sentences are enough. Leave out advice, and do not guess at anything they have not announced, such as the sex or the name.
Below: a formula, examples for a close friend, a coworker, family and someone you barely know, a few funny ones, and what to keep out of the card.
A simple formula
- Their names. The mum-to-be, or both parents if the shower is for both.
- Congratulations.
- One line about them. Why this baby is lucky, with a reason: "You have been looking after all of us for years."
- A wish. For the last few weeks, a safe arrival, or the early days at home.
- A real offer, if you have one. With a thing and a time: "I'll bring dinner in the second week."
- Your name.
Shower cards are often read aloud while the presents are opened. Write nothing you would not want read to a room.
To a close friend
Meg, you are going to be such a good mum. You have been looking after all of us since we were nineteen, so this baby has no idea how lucky they are. I can't wait to meet them. Love you.
Congratulations, Tash and Ollie. This baby is getting two parents who laugh a lot and one very overexcited auntie. I'm on call for shopping, for holding the baby while you shower, and for the phone at 3am.
To my oldest friend: I remember us at nine, naming our future children after ponies. I'm glad you've had time to think again. So happy for you.
To a coworker
Keep it kind and short. Work can come in as a promise that things are covered.
Congratulations, Aisha. Wishing you an easy last few weeks and a wonderful start with your little one. We'll miss you, and we'll keep your plant alive.
So pleased for you and your family, Lewis. Enjoy every day of your leave, and don't check your email.
For the card that goes round the office, one line each:
Congratulations. Can't wait to see photos.
So happy for you. Put your feet up, we've got the rota.
Wishing you and the baby all the best.
Lovely news. Enjoy your time off.
To family
From a mother to her daughter:
My darling girl, I can hardly believe my baby is having a baby. You will be a wonderful mother. I'm here for whatever you need, including leaving when you want me to. All my love, Mum.
To a sister:
You made me play the baby in every game when we were small, so you've had practice. Congratulations, sis. I'm going to be the fun aunt and there is nothing you can do about it.
To a son and daughter-in-law:
Dear Hannah and Joel, we are so excited to meet our grandchild. You two will be lovely parents. We are ready to help in any way that is useful, and to stay out of the way when it isn't.
To a cousin or niece:
Dear Freya, congratulations. The family is about to get louder and we are all delighted. Wishing you a calm few weeks and a safe arrival.
To someone you barely know
Your partner's colleague, a neighbour, a friend of a friend. Thank them for the invitation and wish them well.
Dear Carys, thank you for inviting me to celebrate with you. Wishing you and the baby good health and a gentle start together.
Congratulations on your baby news. Wishing you a smooth few weeks and lots of happiness as a family. From Jo at number 22.
Funny, where it fits
Joke about the fun that is coming, not about how hard it will be.
Congratulations. I have bought the noisiest toy in the shop and I'm not sorry.
This baby already has better clothes than I do. So happy for you both.
Soon you will know every word of a song about a bus. We can't wait to meet them.
Written to the baby
A card addressed to the baby is a nice change, and one the child can read years later.
Dear little one, you are arriving into a house with a lot of books, a very soft dog and two people who have wanted you for a long time. We can't wait to meet you.
If the hosts ask for a book in place of a card, write inside the front cover: who it is from, one line, and the date.
For the baby, from Auntie Joss. Your mum read this to me when I was small, doing all the voices. September 2026.
Second babies, adoption and a long wait
A second or third baby. Bring the older child into it.
Congratulations on number two. Theo is going to be a brilliant big brother, and this time you already know where everything goes.
Adoption or surrogacy. Write about the child arriving and the family growing, not about pregnancy.
Congratulations, both. We are so happy your family is growing, and we can't wait to welcome your little one.
After a long wait or an earlier loss. Keep it gentle and short. No "finally" and no "at last".
We are so, so happy for you both. Thinking of you in these last weeks and wishing you a safe arrival.
A single parent. The same card, written to one name. Do not mention who is missing.
Congratulations, Rachel. This baby has a brilliant mum and a whole queue of us waiting to help.
What to avoid
- Birth stories. Yours, your sister's, anyone's.
- Advice. That includes "sleep while you can". They have heard it.
- Comments on her body or the size of the bump.
- Guesses. The sex, the name, the due date, or "hoping for a girl this time".
- Questions about plans. Feeding, going back to work, more children.
- Warnings about how hard it is.
- Anything private. The card may be read out in front of her grandmother and her boss.
Doing it with Hemmingway
If you know what you feel but not how to put it, the new baby message generator writes a first version. Tell it who the card is for, how you know them, one true thing about them and the tone you want. It uses only what you give it, so it will not make up a memory or an offer. Read it, change anything you would not say, and copy it into the card yourself.
For other good news there is a congratulations message generator. And when the shower is over and the parents have a pile of presents to acknowledge, this guide to what to write in a thank you card is for them.
Try HemmingwayDownload the app
Common questions
What is a short message for a baby shower card?
"Congratulations, both. Wishing you a safe arrival and a happy start as a family." is enough on its own. If you know them well, add one line about the parents they will be.
What do you write in a baby shower card for a coworker?
Congratulate them, wish them an easy last few weeks and a good start with the baby, and say you hope they enjoy their leave. Two sentences is right. Leave out advice, and mention work only to promise that things are covered.
Do you address a baby shower card to the mum or to both parents?
If the shower is for the mum-to-be, address it to her, and mention her partner in the message if there is one. If both parents are being celebrated, use both names. Writing the card to the baby works for any shower.
What do you write in a baby shower card for a second baby?
Congratulate the parents and mention the older child by name, as a big brother or sister. They do not need first-time wishes, so a line about the family growing suits better.
What should you not write in a baby shower card?
Leave out advice, birth stories, comments on the mum's body, guesses about the sex or name, and warnings about tiredness. Shower cards are often read aloud, so keep private things out as well.
What do you write in a baby shower book?
Write inside the front cover, to the child: who the book is from, one line about why you chose it or a wish for them, and the date. Keep it short enough to read aloud in years to come.