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Baby showers are typically held four to six weeks before the baby's due date late enough that the pregnancy is well along, but likely early enough to avoid an untimely arrival.

Traditional etiquette rules When the guests will span multiple generations, it can be helpful to have a set of rules to follow that will conform to these expectations. Traditionally for an in-person shower, a friend or relative hosts the baby shower and pays for the costs.

The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower.

Even so, the numbers can vary a lot. Depending on the number of guests, the location, the food, and other considerations, a baby shower can easily cost anywhere between $100 to $1000 and celebrities like Beyoncé have pulled costs up to $500,000!

There are no requirements under baby shower etiquette for the mother in law to pay any amount to cover the baby shower if she is not one of the hostesses. She can always offer money or other ways to help out, but she is not required to do so under baby shower etiquette.

Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.

The point of a baby shower is for your community of pals, relatives and coworkers to "shower" you with gifts. So, etiquette dictates that the parents-to-be can't throw their own party since doing so could be perceived as asking for gifts, which is frowned upon by the manners police.

While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.

It is considered inappropriate for you or your spouse to throw the baby shower. It is considered rude to ask someone to throw you a baby shower. Typically a close friend or one of the grandmas-to-be will throw a baby shower. It is acceptable to have a sister or other family member throw the baby shower.

The point of a baby shower is for your community of pals, relatives and coworkers to "shower" you with gifts. So, etiquette dictates that the parents-to-be can't throw their own party since doing so could be perceived as asking for gifts, which is frowned upon by the manners police.