Nothing says "Welcome to the world, little one" like a line of cars outside your house honking and playing music while friends yell "We love you!" This is what happens at a drive-by baby shower, a way to celebrate that's grown more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just like virtual baby showers, drive-by baby showers provide an alternative to a traditional shower. "Drive-by parties are definitely an inventive concept to spring out of the need for social distancing," says Lindsey Mensch, owner of Lili Marie Parties in Chicago. "They could be described as a 'party parade.'" 

While drive-by showers aren't for everyone (such as those who live in cities or don't have cars) and likely won't replace traditional baby showers, they're certainly still fun and can make the mama-to-be feel special, Mensch says.

There are no traditional rules for a drive-by baby shower, so remember: It's all about making you smile and feel loved. If you want to try out a drive-by baby shower, follow these tips to make it a success.

Drive-by baby shower ideas

Mind the latest guidelines

For everyone's safety, brush up on the latest COVID-19 recommendations for your area. (If you need a refresher, here's what pregnant women should know about COVID-19.)

Get yourself and everyone in your family who is 6 months or older vaccinated against COVID-19.

Ask for a host

“Not everyone will think of the option to host a drive-by shower, so don’t feel shy about mentioning this idea to a friend or family member,” says Mensch.

But you should also feel empowered to organize this event yourself. There isn’t a huge burden to put a drive-by baby shower together — you don’t need to clean your house or organize food. Just remember that whoever is setting it up should explain the concept to loved ones who might not get it.

Give important details on the invites

Do what suits you when it comes to shower invitations. If you want to be casual, send a group text message or an e-vite. If you want to get fancy, you can mail paper invites. You don’t need to ask for an RSVP, says Mensch. Give a date and window of 30 minutes to one hour for "guests" to drive by.

"Having a shorter window will give you more of an energetic feeling instead of having guests drive by randomly throughout the day," she says.

Let them bring gifts

While it's certainly not required, if you have a baby registry, go ahead and include a link to it on the invite, says Mensch. Your aunt wants to give you that baby blanket she spent all winter knitting. Your three besties want to give you that amazing high chair.

Your friends and family can drop gifts off (from a safe distance!) or mail them to you — whatever they feel most comfortable with.

Set the mood

Totally optional, but if you want to go all out, decorate your front yard. And don’t forget what you’re wearing.

"If you’re looking for something more on the elaborate side, you can get dressed up in a special party outfit and sit on your lawn sipping a specialty mocktail while guests drive by," suggests Mensch.

Make it special for the mama-to-be

If you’re attending a drive-by baby shower, you can crank up her favorite song (or one that’s special between you two) as you pass, says Mensch. Bonus points for getting dressed up yourself or wearing a costume that’ll make her laugh, she says.

Other ideas? Hang a celebratory sign from your car window or drop a plate of homemade baked goods on her lawn.

Ask someone to film

Once the car parade starts, ask someone (the host, a friend or a partner, perhaps) to run across the street to get a video of the action. Every time you watch it, you’ll feel the love.

Incorporate a virtual get-together

Can't decide between a virtual and drive-by baby shower? Combine both ideas, as What to Expect member rdwink did.

"Everyone dropped off their gifts on our porch," she says. "The girls who were going to host had pizza and cake delivered to us. After we ate lunch, anyone who wanted to join was sent a Zoom invite and we got to talk with everyone, open their presents and could thank them personally."

Plan an event later

If you like the idea of a drive-by party but still want to hold an in-person event at some point, it's okay to do both. You can eventually host a "sip and see" and have friends and family meet your baby later on.

Let your drive-by shower serve as a true shout-it-from-the-rooftop burst of happiness that you’re having a baby. Even though the current situation is sometimes stressful and overwhelming, the future with your little one is so, so bright.