5 Truly Sweet Baby Shower Themes
It’s easy to get stuck in a baby shower planning rut. The whole blue and pink thing has been done a million times over, and it’s safe to say we’ve all probably attended a shower where sweet little animals were the theme of the day. Don’t get us wrong — all the above is absolutely adorable! That said, you may want to consider branching into more creative territory when planning your, or your friend’s, baby shower, for a truly memorable event. We hit up two planning experts for unique theme ideas and tips for how to make the shower a sweet success.
“Match The Nursery” Theme
Millennials are throwing more and more baby showers, and fewer and fewer of them are gender-based, noted Olivia Howell, a parenting expert at Gugu Guru, which specializes in baby products and registries. One big trend Howell’s noticed is coordinating the baby shower with the nursery décor.
“For example, CBS’ Life in Pieces Star, Angelique Cabral had decided on a starry nursery theme for her baby girl’s nursery, so her friends went with that theme for the shower and ended up with more of a ‘Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star’-themed shower,” she said. “Everything was custom-made for Angelique, from the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Candles’ in her gift bags, to the headband and bow station where guests could create and gift a bow for the baby girl to be.”
Some other “match the nursery” baby shower themes Howell has seen include nautical, jungle or tropical, and woodland.
Dessert Theme
Commit to a Marie Antoinette-style baby shower by offering loads of confections, and by sticking to a dessert theme from invitation to party favor. Ashlee Neuman, a parenting expert at The Bump, said the menu should consist of “cake, cupcakes, cake pops, milkshakes, puddings, cookies and ice cream. Wash it all down with sweet Riesling or frosé and mocktails for the mom-to-be.”
Neuman suggested sticking with a pastel-themed color palette, sending guests home with a mini jug of maple syrup, and having your invites say, “Something sweet is arriving! Come share in [mom’s name]’s sugar high.”
Literary Theme
Having a baby is starting a new chapter in life, so this theme makes perfect sense!
“Perfect for literary enthusiasts, this book-themed baby shower features your favorite children’s literary characters, like Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Harry Potter, Madeline, Eloise and the Velveteen Rabbit, to name a few,” said Neuman. “Let whichever story you choose guide your décor.”
For the menu, you can find inspiration in the stories you feature. “If you do Peter Rabbit, your veggie platter can be ‘Mr. McGregor’s Garden;’ if you go with Eloise, set things up for a Plaza tea, finger sandwiches and all,” said Neuman.
High-Glam Theme
Consider a baby shower the ideal opportunity for a soon-to-be-Mom to get pampered and live it up before her life changes. Really play up the glitz and glamour with a pregnancy-approved facial or manicure/pedicure station, gorgeous flowers, cake on a pedestal, and champagne or sparkling cider. We suggest making it a high-tea, midday brunch, or early evening shindig, and feel free to keep it intimate. Howell noted that she’s seen an uptick in showers “with a few select friends and family instead of an overwhelming amount of people.”
Celestial Theme
“Mom’s universe is expanding! This celestial party theme incorporates planets, stars and rocket ships into the heart of the décor,” said Neuman. For the menu, opt for “fruits cut out into star shapes, cake pop planets, rocket-shaped cookies and a big sun-themed cake,” and offer planet lollipops for guests to take home.
For activities, “Cut out a group of cardboard stars — one for each guest — and have each person write a wish for baby on it,” said Neuman. “Then take those stars and put them together with a binder ring for mom to flip through down the road.”
Wendy Rose Gould is a writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. She covers women’s lifestyle topics for numerous digital publications, including InStyle, xoVain, Refinery29, Revelist, PopSugar and ModCloth. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram or at WendyGould.com
