In the baby-shower game “Don’t Say Baby,” guests traditionally avoid saying the word “baby.”
At the beginning of the game, each guest may receive a clothespin, ribbon, sticker, or similar marker. Participants mingle while discussing the celebration, but anyone who hears another guest say “baby” can claim that person’s marker. The guest with the most markers at the end wins.
The format is flexible. Some hosts replace the forbidden word with another term, add a time limit, or use diaper pins instead of clothespins. Because the game depends on conversation, it is especially common at social showers where guests may not all know one another.
It is different from gift bingo, which uses cards to track presents as they are opened. The “Don’t Say Baby” game is a word-avoidance activity rather than a gift-based game.