A baby shower table tends to be softer and more considered than most sweet spreads — pastel colours, small favour bags, and a table that's as much about presentation as taste.
Go pastel rather than gendered
Pink and blue are the obvious instinct, but a lot of hosts now prefer to stay neutral, either because the parents haven't shared the baby's sex or simply to avoid the theme feeling dated. Pastel yellows, mint greens, lilacs and soft whites work regardless — think sugared almonds, mini marshmallows, foam bananas and pastel-shelled chocolates, all of which read as "baby shower" without leaning on pink or blue specifically.
Favour bags beat a big bowl
Unlike most parties, a baby shower table usually needs individual takeaway favours rather than one shared bowl guests dip into during the party. Small cellophane or paper favour bags, tied with ribbon, work well filled from a pick 'n' mix selection in your chosen pastel palette — it lets you build an exact colour scheme rather than being stuck with whatever a pre-made bag contains.
Presentation matters more here
A sweet jar filled with a single pastel sweet, or a small row of jars each holding a different colour, tends to look better on a baby shower table than a single mixed bowl — it photographs well, and guests can see at a glance what's on offer before helping themselves.
How many favours to prepare
Around 40-60g per guest in a takeaway favour bag is the usual amount — enough to feel like a considered gift without turning into a full-size party bag. For the table itself, a couple of share bags decanted into jars covers grazing through the afternoon on top of the favours guests take home.
Frequently asked questions
What sweets are good for a baby shower?
Pastel-coloured sweets such as marshmallows, sugared almonds, foam bananas and pastel-shelled chocolates, which suit the table whether or not the baby's sex is known.
What are gender-neutral sweet options for a baby shower?
Pastel yellows, greens, lilacs and whites rather than pink or blue keep the table neutral.
How many sweet favours do I need per guest?
Around 40-60g per guest in a small favour bag is standard.