Planning a shower is an exciting time. Whether you are in the early planning stages, looking for a theme or even wondering the proper baby shower etiquette - we have you covered for all things baby shower related.
Before The Shower: Baby Shower Etiquette
Headed for a baby shower in the near future? They’re great events, to be sure, but if you’ve recently received an invitation, you may be wondering about your responsibilities as a guest. This quick guide can help you sort it all out.
RSVP
The invitation should have a number you can call or an email address you can use to let the shower host know if you’ll be attending. If you have a previous engagement for that date, you should certainly call to let them know you won’t be there. Make certain, though, that the shower isn’t a surprise before you tell the mommy-to-be that you can’t make it. Etiquette demands you tell at least the host, not necessarily the mom. If you’re not coming, you’re not necessarily expected to send a gift. Just wait until the baby is born to send the gift.
The Gift
You want to go to celebrate this exciting event in your friend or relative’s life, but there’s a little matter of the gift before you head to the shower. Wondering if you need to buy one at all? Generally gifts are expected at a baby shower. Unless otherwise stated on the invitation, you should at least bring a card or a small baby gift to the shower. If you’re having financial difficulties, there are lots of small gifts available, and if it’s a recycled shower, it’s completely expected that you’ll bring a gently used gift anyway.
You may have noticed registry information printed in the shower invitation. While you can certainly use that as a guide to know a bit more about what the parents-to-be would like, you don’t have to feel obligated to buy from the registry. This is a chance to shower her with gifts for the baby, but they don’t necessarily have to be specific gifts. In some cases, the shower might be themed for certain gifts, like a library shower where guests are expected to bring books for baby, but for the most part, you can bring whatever gift you like.
Deciding how much to spend can be the toughest part of the equation. Factor in how close you are to the mommy before you decide what you want to spend. If it’s a very close friend or a family member, you likely want to spend a bit more on that gift. Going with a big gift for a baby you’re going to get to know in the years to come is a perfect idea. If it’s a coworker or someone you don’t know very well, keeping it to around twenty dollars is completely appropriate. If you’re budget-challenged, spend only what you can afford on a gift.
What to Expect
If you haven’t been to a baby shower before, you may not know exactly what you’re getting into. Expect some party conversation, a few silly games that are always fun, snacks or cake (unless otherwise specified on the invitation) and the chance to see what everyone else brought as the new mommy opens her gifts.
When to Have A Shower
When you are pregnant, it seems like the celebrating begins right away. You start planning, making lists, and thinking about how to get ready for the bundle of joy that is going to be in your arms just months from now. Your friends and family are almost as excited as you are. A shower is a great way to share the happiness – and score some excellent baby shower gifts for your child! When is the best time to have a baby shower?
Timing is Everything
Baby showers are traditionally held one or two months before the mother’s due date. Why? There are a few reasons for this:
- You don’t want to wait too long because mommy may go into labor early.
- If the mother receives duplicates of gifts or needs to exchange things, she has ample time to do so.
- People are incredibly generous at baby showers; it takes time to sort through the gifts, set everything up, and wash clothing. Having a month or two is important so the expectant mother can “nest” without rushing.
- By eight months, she doesn’t care if she looks ridiculous so you can make her wear one of those hats made of gift wraps and bows.
Now, why not go earlier to give her even more time? Many women do not announce their pregnancies until after their first trimester. After the first three months, the chance of miscarriage declines dramatically (it is about 10 percent after that), so expectant parents feel more comfortable sharing their news. Then they may wait until they know the sex of the baby so they don’t end up with all things yellow and green. Usually, people wait until at least after the sixth month.
There is certainly something to be said for having it in the 6th or 7th month; many pregnant women feel much more comfortable during this stage of the pregnancy. They may be more open to a good party!
Tradition does not have as strong a hold on today’s expectant mothers as it once did. Many women are putting off their showers until after the baby is born. This is like a little “coming out party” for the baby, so friends and family can meet him/her. Some women opt for “Sip and See” showers because they have no family where they live, while others do so because of their religious beliefs. Still others hate the idea of having their newborn passed around to multiple (sick, germy, shaky, and/or weak) hands. It depends entirely on your preference and your comfort level whether you have your shower before or after. Also, there are plenty more fun baby shower themes out there so do your homework beforehand!
If you do choose to have the baby be the guest of honor at the shower, plan on waiting 6 to 8 weeks after the baby is born. The first weeks really should be about mom, dad, and baby bonding, not Great Aunt Selma pinching your child’s cheeks. Waiting also helps you determine what gifts would be most useful and appreciated.
Another factor to consider is if the expectant mother is going to be having multiple showers. Many people do: you have one with close friends, one with coworkers at the office, one with your book club or church club, etc. Make sure that these are spaced a few weeks apart. If that’s not possible, certainly don’t have more than one in a weekend. It can easily get overwhelming; so many people, so many gifts, so many questions, so many repetitions of “I’m due on…”
A few more questions:
- Should there be a shower when the baby is not the first? Traditionally, showers have been reserved for the first child of a woman or couple. Today, more and more people are having them for their second and third children (and beyond) as well. Every baby is special, and if people want to give you gifts, enjoy!
- Should an adopted baby get a baby shower? Absolutely. They are every bit as loved as biological children, and every bit in need of cute outfits, onesies, and toys. If the child is older, a shower could take on the form of a party with gifts appropriate for his/her age.
A baby shower is a wonderful way to celebrate and welcome a child. The “when” doesn’t matter as much as the people gathered to support the parents.
Planning a shower
Planning a baby shower for the expectant mother is the best way to congratulate her blessed event.
Who plans the baby shower? Any relative, close friend or coworker can host the baby shower.
Most baby showers are held before the baby is born. Some are held after the conception but, more often than not, most baby showers are held toward the end of pregnancy. It is a welcome diversion for the expecting mom to have her baby shower in the last trimester. It also brings more enjoyment and fun as the new mom is sporting a big belly towards the end.
However, before setting a date for the party, ensure to consult with the parents-to-be first and foremost. It would be a shame if a party is planned and invitations are sent and then find out that the most important people cannot make it.
Send out invitations early enough to give the guests a few weeks’ notice. This allows the guests to free up their schedules as well as to shop for the perfect gift.
In the traditional way, baby showers were held for the mother-to-be. However, there is increasing popularity for co-ed baby showers. In my opinion, a co-ed baby shower is probably more enjoyable and it is wonderful if the father-to-be is included. A father often feels left out throughout the pregnancy and after the birth of the newborn baby. A co-ed baby shower is a wonderful way to congratulate the father as well!
Themed baby showers are also very popular and makes the party more festive. Plan your theme and purchase matching invitations, napkins, plates and all other baby shower party supplies. Although it takes more work to plan, a themed baby shower can make the party seem more organized.
Lastly, what makes for a great baby shower gift? Chances are the new mother requires many baby necessities including clothing, bottles, a car seat, bibs, personalized baby blankets, and more.
Make the new mom’s baby shower one to remember. This is a wonderful event in her life and what better way to congratulate her!
Baby Shower Themes
The possibilities for baby shower themes are endless! The important thing to remember when planning a shower is to choose a theme that matches the personality of the mom-to-be. Here are a few popular baby shower themes to consider when planning your next shower.
Zoo Animal Baby Shower Theme
Whether the Mom-to-be is an animal lover or you are looking for a truly creative idea for a baby shower, zoo animals is fun, exciting, and unique. Here are some ideas to get you started planning your zoo animal baby shower.
Zoo Animal Baby Shower Invitations
Centering your theme around zoo animals is fun and provides a wide variety of options! To keep the focus on baby, a cute idea is using picture of a mama and baby zoo animal. Or you can also choose invitations featuring different jungle animals - such as some zoo animal baby shower invitations shaped like elephants, others shaped like friendly monkeys, others shaped like hippos, etc. Mix them up and send as many different animal invitations as you can.
Zoo Animal Decorations and Tableware
Think animal kingdom and incorporate images of all different zoo animals. Many party companies produce streamers, napkins, and zoo-animal themed decor items. Go to a discount store and purchase stuffed zoo animals. Arrange them on your table for a cute centerpiece. Construct a baby shower diaper cake using zoo-animal themed diapers.
In place of a tablecloth, try a long woven table runner or more green palm leaves. Wrap the table with raffia, readily available at craft stores, for a festive jungle feel. Arrange goodies and party favors in woven baskets or wooden bowls to further invoke the zoo animal's jungle world. Select napkins and plates in the shape of different zoo animals. Hang cutouts of zoo animal silhouettes or hang baby shower banners with images of zoo animals throughout the baby shower area.
Zoo Animal Baby Shower Food Ideas
Think treats like pretzels, ice cream bars, and other fun snacks you might find at the zoo. Another creative way to bring zoo animals into your treats is to make cupcakes with animal faces piped on them. Combine food coloring and vanilla frosting to create your colors of choice, and place the mixture in a pastry bag or a sandwich bag with a small hole cut from a corner. It's easy to pipe faces on the tops of cupcakes.
Zoo Animal Baby Shower Favor & Gift Idea
Carry the earthy, natural theme further with party favors. Fill animal print bags with pretzels, chocolate treats, banana-shaped candies. Wrap candy bars with animal-themed wrappers or place animal stickers on the outside of clear candy wrappers.
Or buy personalized baby shower favors like the ones shown above to give your guests. Options are endless and include notepads, gum, candy bars and more with lion, elephant, and monkey themes.
Zoo Inspired Baby Gifts
A stuffed zoo animal for baby's room will provide joy for baby and a memory for Mama of her wonderful baby shower. Ask guests to bring zoo-themed toys or other items, like a onesie with a giraffe on it, or a baby blanket gift with different jungle animals, and gather them in a large woven basket. The woven basket ties into the natural theme and provides a handy and attractive storage container Mom can use to store baby's toys.
The adorable jungle-inspired socks and adorable giraffe blanket are available from Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets. The also have a wide array of other gifts so shop for a baby gift basket today!
Sprinkle Themed Baby Shower
There’s nothing quite as special as that first baby shower. The first baby seemingly gets everything though. Big baby showers, completed baby book gifts, Mom’s undivided attention . . . While there’s not much other people can do about the last two, there is something friends and family members can do about the first one. Fortunately, many have decided to pitch in and give the second, third, and any additional babies a shower. It may not need to be quite as lavish as the shower for the first baby, though, which is why these parties for additional babies have been dubbed “sprinkles.”
Almost everything about a sprinkle is different than a shower. It’s a shower on a much smaller scale. The guest list is typically cut in half for a sprinkle. If Mom had fifty guests at her shower, she generally has around twenty for her sprinkle. The decorations are fairly minimal, as are the games and menu choices. Sprinkles typically include lighter bites and sometimes there aren’t any games at all. Sprinkles are almost always kid friendly, and including the big brother or big sister to be is an absolute must. If you do decide to have games, make sure sister or brother can participate in them or help out in some way.
The real key with sprinkle gifts is to offer up those basic necessities that will be used again and again in everyday life. From diapers and wipes to baby soap, lotion, and even formula if Mom won’t be nursing, going with gifts that are an absolute necessity are key with a sprinkle. Guests don’t need to feel restricted about buying new books, toys, and outfits (especially if the new baby is a different gender), but the focus should be on those basic needs.
Sprinkle Themed baby Shower Invitations
Not everyone understands the concept of a sprinkle yet, so you may want to use specialized wording on the baby shower invitation so anyone on your guest list can better understand the concept. Something like “All Babies Are Cause For Celebration/Join Us for a Smaller Shower – A Sprinkle – For Annie” should suffice. You may even want to go as far as listing out the gifts Mom needs this time around to help your guests understand exactly what to bring.
Sprinkles are a great way to welcome the second, third, or even fourth child into the world with the same excitement you did the first one!
Teddy Bear Themed Baby Shower
Incorporate one of America's most beloved toys, the teddy bear, into your baby shower theme! Children and babies form a special bond with these cuddly little creatures that they seem to tote around everywhere with them. The great thing about a teddy bear baby shower theme is that it's completely appropriate for a boy or a girl.
Teddy Bear Baby shower Invitations
For the teddy bear baby shower invitations, you have several options including buying fully customized invites or making the invitations yourself.
If you are on a tight budget, consider printable baby shower invitations that you can download and print. You can get the template by clicking here. After printing, you simply fill-in all the shower details and mail them or hand them out to your guests.
Teddy Bear Themed Shower Decorations
One fun idea for a teddy bear themed baby shower is to make guests feel like they are entering a bear den. On the sidewalk leading up to the front door for the party, make some paw prints out of chalk or washable paint. You can buy large bear print stencils at craft stores like Michaels. Then have a personalized baby shower banner printed or make your own banner that says something about 'Welcome to Mama Bear [mommy's name] Den'.
Bears and bees and honey all go together so use these items as inspiration for the shower decorations. You can find bee-shaped mylar balloons at your local party supply shop or online. Decorate some terra cotta pots to look like honey pots by painting them with brown paint and then use yellow like honey-overflowing around the pots edge. Buy some fuzzy bumble bees for decorating or make your own from construction paper to hang on streamers from the ceiling. You can place stuffed plush baby teddy bears throughout the shower area too.
Teddy Bear Themed baby Shower Food Ideas
No teddy bear themed baby shower would be complete without some honey! So make honey a central theme of your shower by making main dishes like honey chicken wings, honey glazed carrots, sticky honey buns and other honey-themed recipes.
Bears like berries too so for the punch freeze some raspberries to act as the ice cubes to keep the punch cold. Opt for a berry-flavored punch and then right before the party, float the frozen raspberries in the punch.
You can make many different foods bear-themed by using a bear-shaped cookie cutter to cut-out sandwiches, cheese slices, jello and cut-out cookies. Be sure to set out some bowls of gummy bears, honey roasted peanuts, honeycomb cereal, and teddy grahams for party snacks.
Teddy Bear Themed baby Shower Cakes
Images by Wilton.com
The teddy bear themed baby shower cakes and cupcakes shown above were put together by the team at Wilton. You can get step by step Baby Bear cake instructions and many other ideas at Wilton.com
Teddy Bear Themed Shower Favor Ideas
There are so many great ways to incorporate bears into the party favors. Just look at the photo above, you can find these baby shower favors online. There are so many retailers that sell cheap favors that incorporate the teddy bear theme... place card frames, bottle stopper favors, personalized mint tins, candles with pink or blue glitter bears, small photo album favors also available in pink or blue, teddy bear baby shower themed custom chocolate bar baby shower favors. The possibilities are endless!
One of my favorite ideas for DIY favors are either baby shower honey favors in jars or teddy bear shaped honey that you buy at the grocery store. In either case, you can purchase ribbons or stickers that have a teddy bear theme along with the shower details to thank the guests for sharing in mom's special day.
Teddy Bear themed baby Shower Gift Ideas
You can find a wide array of baby shower gifts that incorporate the teddy bear theme. Of course, the most obvious choice is a classic baby's first teddy bear, but make it extra special by having the t-shirt or bib that the bear wears customized with the baby to be's last name (or first if mom already knows it).
Other great gift ideas are teddy bear shaped ceramic banks, baby gift baskets with a teddy bear theme, and baby diaper cakes that feature a teddy bear sitting on top. The fantastic thing about the diaper cake idea is that you can utilize it as both the centerpiece at the shower and as your gift to the expectant mom. Check out this fun beary ballerina diaper cake from All About Gifts & Baskets.
Peapod Themed Baby Shower
If your mother-to-be is expecting one, two or even three babies, a Peapod Baby Shower Theme can be designed to fit your unique situation. A peapod baby shower theme works well if mom doesn’t know (or doesn’t want to know) the sex of the baby or babies, and if she doesn’t have a particular theme picked out for the nursery.
Peapod Themed Baby Shower Invitations
Starting with the shower invitations, have some fun with your theme by including peapod pictures and/or phrases. You can word the invitation with a catchy poem such as “Three Peas in a Pod, Three Bundles of Love, A Triple Creation, Three Gifts from Above!” Personalized peapod baby shower invitations can be printed for your shower, or make them yourself with some green construction paper. Simply cut dark green pod shapes for the outline, then paste on lighter green circles for the peas and print the invitation on the light colored paper.
Peapod Themed Baby Shower Decorating
Diaper Cakes not only make a great centerpiece, it also doubles as a useful gift for the new mommy! She is certain to use the diapers in the cake, and you can add some personal touches by tucking rattles, spoons, pacifiers or socks in between the layers. If you know the little sweet pea is going to be a girl, our Personalized Sweet Pea Baby Basket is a darling gift that comes already wrapped!If your shower is to celebrate the arrival of twins, we offer a number of gift baskets designed with twins in mind.
Peapod Themed Baby Shower Food & Drink Ideas
A tasty way to start is with a fresh vegetable tray that includes snow peas and/or snap peas. My favorite vegetable dip consists of 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon minced onion, 1 tablespoon dill weed and 1 tablespoon seasoned salt. Mix up the dip the night before to let the flavors blend well prior to serving. A light and delicious salad option for your shower are listed below:
Tortellini Salad with Salmon and Peas (serves 6, double or triple as necessary):
- 8 oz salmon fillet, skin removed (fresh is best)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh or frozen (defrosted) peas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped basil leaves
- Season salmon with salt and pepper.Grill on high or pan fry with very little oil. Cook through until the fillet easily flakes apart with a fork (12 to 15 minutes). Set aside.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain, run under cold water and drain again.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Toss in tortellini and peas to coat. Season with salt if desired. Gently stir in salmon and basil and serve.
(Recipe courtesy of All You Magazine)
Finish your sweet pea baby shower with a themed cake or tasty cookie favors! Be sure to have enough cake for all of your guests; I’ve found that a 9x13 cake will feed approximately 15 and a 9” round is roughly half the size of a 9x13. If you are expecting 25 guests at your shower, the cake described below should be the perfect size.
Sweet Pea Themed Baby Shower Cake
- 9x13 cake, baked and cooled
- one dozen cupcakes, baked and cooled
- frosting and food coloring
- Frost the cake in a neutral background color. Cover all cupcakes with dark green frosting. If you are creative, decorate one cupcake to resemble a baby's face (or two, if there are twins).
- Using a decorating tip, make the outline of a peapod in green frosting on the top of the cake. Fill in with green frosting. Leave room for wording such as "Welcome Sweet Pea", "Two Peas in a Pod", etc.
- Determine the number of cupcake "peas" you want to place on top of the cake. Slice the tops off these cupcakes and carefully center them on top of the cake. Include your baby face cupcake(s) in the center of the pea pod.
- Arrange the remaining cupcakes around the cake, add vine and leaf details with decorator tips.
If your mother-to-be prefers cookies instead of cake, bake up a batch of round sugar cookies and decorate in a similar fashion.
Noah's Ark Themed Baby Shower
One of the most popular choices for showers, a Noah's Ark themed baby shower is both fun to plan and attend! If Mom is expecting a bouncing baby boy she plans to name Noah, if she is an animal lover, or if she is planning to decorate the nursery in an ark theme, the choice of this shower theme is a no-brainer. If Mom is expecting twins, the Noah's Ark two by two concept works great as well!
Noah's Ark Themed Invitations
For the invitations, you have several options and your choice will most likely be influenced by your budget and time schedule. If you are throwing an upscale shower and you are running a bit short on time, the best option will likely be fully customized invitations that have an ark theme such as the Noah's Ark baby shower invitations shown in the photograph. This type of invite can be customized with all of the shower details and will arrive at your doorstep ready for mailing.
The second more affordable option is the fill-in type invites that feature a Noah's Ark design on the outside and then blank lines on the inside where you must hand-write all the shower details such as the time, date, location, RSVP information, etc. While these invitations are more affordable, the process is much more time consuming as you must write the details inside each and every invite... this can take a long time for large showers.
Finally, if you are crafty and have some time on your hands, creating your very own one-of-a-kind baby shower invitations is a great option. You can create them on the computer using a program like MS publisher with clip art to achieve the desired Noah's ark theme.
Noah's Ark themed baby shower Decor
Many online shops and party supply stores sell Noah's Ark themed baby shower supplies. However, you can also create many decorations on your own that tie in perfectly with this baby shower theme. For instance, gather up all the stuffed animals in your home (and ask your friends for their animals too) and then place them all around the shower area in pairs (remember the two by two concept especially if the shower is for twins). You can also use pairs of animal balloons and pairs of cardboard animal cut-outs that you either buy or make yourself all around the room and on the walls.
Noah's Ark themed baby shower Food Ideas
Use these creative food and dessert ideas to tie in the Noah's Ark theme! No shower is complete without a bowl of punch for guests to drink. Rainbow colors are the perfect choice so why not try this Rainbow Punch recipe.
Rainbow Punch Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon rainbow sherbet
- 2 liter bottle of Sprite, ginger ale or 7-up
- 2 cups pineapple juice
Directions:
Chill juice and soda prior to mixing. In a large punch bowl, mix together the juice and soda, then add sherbet in one large block just before the party starts. Makes 25 servings. Don't forget to float a plastic boat in the punch bowl too!
Use animal-shaped baby cookie cutters to cut sandwiches, cheese slices, pizza and jello jigglers into various animal shapes. Don't forget to put bowls of animal crackers on the side tables as well as the buffet table for guests to snack on throughout the party.
Another great idea from creative baby shower ideas is to create an 'ark' out of a watermelon and then fill it with cut-up fruit. Be sure to add some plastic toy animals around the ark for a fun presentation. What a creative centerpiece on your buffet table!!
Noah's Ark themed baby shower Cake Idea
Wilton has done it again with this fun-shaped cake that is perfect for baby showers!
Noah's Ark themed Baby Shower Favors
Since Noah's Ark themed baby showers are so popular, you can find many online companies that sell favors that fit the theme perfectly. As shown in the photograph above, personalized candy bar wrappers, Noah's ark personalized baby shower mint tins and containers of lip balm can be customized with things like the mom-to-be's name and the shower date. Since these favors are personalized, they add an extra special touch to your party favors. You can also find things like animal-shaped soaps and Noah's ark shaped baby shower candles that come in little gift boxes so that you can hand them to guests. Buying favors is an excellent option when you are short on time and want elegant favors with a custom touch.
Some great do-it-yourself ideas are animal shaped notepads with matching pencils, animal shaped chocolates that you either buy or make yourself using candy molds, animal-shaped keychain favors, boxes of animal crackers where you tie a ribbon and matching personalized hang tag, or small beanie baby animals.
You could also place things like mini animal-shaped soaps, candles, or gummy bears in clear cellophane bags or small baby bottles to give your guests as favors.
Noah's Ark themed Baby Shower Gifts
There are so many baby shower gift options for a Noah's Ark themed baby shower... especially if Mom plans to decorate the nursery with that same theme. You can find many companies that sell just about anything you can think of for a nursery in a Noah's Ark theme including the bedding set, lamps, wall art, rugs and more.
Jungle Themed Baby Shower
Your guests are sure to have a roaring good time at a jungle-themed baby shower! Tons of party stores sell fun and festive animal supplies so it is pretty easy to put this type of party together.
Jungle Baby Shower Invitations
Depending on your creativity, time constraints and budget, you have several options when it comes to invitations. The easiest, but most expensive choice is to buy fully personalized jungle baby shower invitations from an online printer that includes all of the custom shower details. These types of invites normally range in cost from $1.50 to $3 each.
The second option requires slightly more work on your part, but is more affordable. You can buy jungle animal invitations like those shown in the photo that are pre-printed with lines where you must hand write in all of the shower details. For smaller showers, these are a great choice. If you are having tons of people, it will be much more work to hand write each one. In that case, you may want to create invites on your computer and print them out.
Jungle & Animal Themed Decorations
For the tabletops, consider buying jungle themed partyware in the color scheme and theme of your choice. The primary colored jungle animals party pack is available through our website. They also offer party packs in pink and chocolate brown for a Queen of the Jungle baby shower theme, blue and chocolate brown for a King of the Jungle baby shower theme, and more pastel colors for a baby animal mobile shower theme.
An essential component to a jungle theme are jungle animals so use all the stuffed animals that you can (e.g. stuffed monkeys hanging from the vines). You can also buy cut-out cardboard animals at dollar and craft stores
Jungle Baby Shower Food Ideas
You can use animal shaped cookie cutters to create finger sandwiches, jello jigglers, cheese slices and even cookies that are shaped like animals. Create your favorite sandwich like chicken salad for instance on white bread, then use various cookie cutter animal shapes to cut them out. You'll end up with a tray of safari sandwiches for your party.
Bowls full of animal crackers or monkey mix are a must for snacking at a jungle baby shower theme party! To make monkey mix, you combine mini chocolate chips, cashews, banana chips, and shredded coconut for a wildly good treat! Be sure to serve all your jungle food on trays lined with banana leaves or banana leaf-shaped plastic trays.
Edible Jungle Themed Cakes
Wilton has a wide range of jungle-themed cakes that are perfect for baby showers.
Jungle Animal Themed Baby Shower Favors
Many local craft stores such as Michael's sell animal shaped candles, soaps and other small gifts that can be placed inside cellophane bags that are tied with a ribbon and small hang tag like the one shown in the above photograph.
One idea for cheap baby shower favors is to buy small boxes of animal crackers for each of your guests. They can enjoy them either at or after the party.
Jungle Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Lions and tigers and bears - oh my! If you've been invited to or are hosting a jungle-themed or safari baby shower, then consider giving a gift that ties in perfectly with the theme. Any of the baby baskets shown above would look fantastic on the gift table. You don't even need to wrap them since they usually come wrapped in cellophane or tulle and are topped with a big bow.
The gifts shown above includes all kinds of jungle themed items such as hooded towels, bath mitts, clothing, washcloths, bibs and burp cloths, and even pacifier clips. They are oh so cute and oh so clever for a safari or jungle-themed party!
Another great baby shower gift idea that can do double-duty as the shower centerpiece is a jungle or safari themed baby shower diaper cake. These inedible cakes are constructed from disposable diapers and items such as blankets, bibs, and other baby essentials that feature a jungle theme.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Theme
A pretty in pink shower is the easiest choice when it comes to a shower for a little girl. You can find just about any shower supply in a pink color scheme at affordable prices.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Invitations
When it comes to the invites, think pink. You have several options including making your own invitations, buying fully customized invites like the one shown in the photo to the right, or purchasing fill-in invitations. Be sure to consider your time and budget when deciding which way to go on the invites.
Fully customized It's A Girl Baby Shower Invitations are the most expensive option, but they require the least amount of time from you because you will receive them from the printer and simply need to mail them to the guests. The fill-in type of invitations are affordably priced, but you will need to hand-write all of the shower details inside each one prior to sending them out to all of the people that you are planning to invite.
Creating your own baby shower invitations is a great option for the crafty women out there. In this case, it is hard to say where your invitation will fall on the cost scale because it is so dependent on your design. However, unique one of a kind invites can leave a lasting impression on guests and often times, they can be the most affordable option of all.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Tableware & Decor
All About Gifts & Baskets sells an entire line of It's A Girl baby shower tableware and supplies that are fully coordinated. As shown in the photo, the plates, napkins and cups have a fun pink and white color scheme with a Caucasian baby design (African American designs are also available). In addition, check out the wide variety of pink and white supplies available on Amazon.
When it comes to decorations for the shower, think pink. Pink and white baby shower balloons, streamers, and a personalized baby shower banner with some sort of pink coloring are great choices.
This fun It's A Girl Baby Shower Diaper Cake is available online as well.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Food
Pink punch is a necessity at an It's A Girl baby shower so consider either simple pink lemonade or one of these punch recipes that yield a pink-colored beverage for your guests to enjoy.
Pink and Bubbly Punch Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 (6 ounce) cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate
- 1 (6 ounce) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
- 1 gallon cranberry juice
- 2 liters cranberry ginger ale
- 4 cups crushed ice
Directions:
In a large punch bowl, mix lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, and cranberry juice. Add ice and slowly pour in the ginger ale.
Pretty in Pink Punch Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2/3 c. red cinnamon candies, divided
- 1 qt. strawberry ice cream softened
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. water
- 46 oz. can pineapple juice
- 12 oz. can frozen pink lemonade concentrate (prepared)
- 1 ltr. bottle ginger ale, chilled
Directions:
Sprinkle 1/3 c. cinnamon candies into a 5 cup ring mold sprayed with vegetable spray. Spread ice cream on top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until ready to use. Combine remaining cinnamon candies, sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until candies dissolve, stirring often. Set aside and cool completely. Poured cooled mixture into a large punch bowl and add pineapple juice and pink lemonade.
Just before serving: stir in ginger ale; remove ice cream ring from mold and float in punch. Make 4-5 quarts.
When it comes to the food for an It's A Girl baby shower, it is all about pink creations. The best resource for pink recipes (that are equally as good for Breast Cancer Awareness or Sweet 16 birthday parties) can be found at Recipe Bazaar. As of today, they have 1,928 pink recipes including things like pink brie that can be served with fruit or crackers, penne pasta with creamy pink vodka sauce, pink jello and pineapple salads, shrimp luncheon sandwiches, pink potatoes and so much more!
You can also serve a fruit tray with all pink fruits like watermelon, strawberries, pink grapefruit and pink lady apples. A great fruit dip is to combine a jar of marshmallow cream with 1 package of strawberry cream cheese. Mix it up and you'll get a great tasting pink colored fruit dip.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Favors
The above photo shows just a few of the It's A Girl personalized baby shower favors. Just about any favor with a pink color scheme would work perfectly for a little girl's shower so don't feel limited by having something that reads it's a girl. Personalized honey jars, cocoa packets, lemonade packs, tea and coffee baby shower favors are shown in the photograph. All of them have a lovely pink and white colors scheme. Guests love receiving personalized favors to take home with them.
If you'd prefer to create your own unique favors for your guests, consider purchasing small cellophane bags, little pink baby shower favor boxes, or some pink tulle to wrap small gifts such as pink jelly beans, pink bath beads, M&M's, candles and even small soaps. You could even buy some Avery labels to make custom stickers or favor hang tags with the Mom-to-be's name along with the shower date that can be tied with ribbon to your adorable favor creations.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Baby Shower Gift Baskets
If you'd like to tie your gift in with a specific theme, gift baskets are an excellent option because they often contain many of the smaller items on Mom's gift list that are packaged and presented in an adorable way. Most baby gift baskets contain essentials such as baby blankets, bibs, booties, bathtime kits (shampoo, washing mitts, hooded towels, etc), adorable outfits and so much more.
You can see just some of the adorable baby baskets available online in the above photograph. Another advantage is that baskets normally arrive assembled with the bow and card already attached so you just need to carry it to the party, really great if you are running short on time.
It's A Girl Baby Shower Decorations
Add a few balloons around the gift table, decorate the guest of honor’s chair with pink streamers and add a pretty pink tablecloth to your food table. It’s not necessary to go overboard on decorations - especially if you are decorating on a budget. By using a bit of creativity, many of your decorations can even double as prizes or guest favors. A beautiful baby girl diaper cake makes a great centerpiece and can later be taken apart so mom can use the diapers. You can also order a baby girl cookie bouquet as a centerpiece, then send each cookie home with special guests as sweet treat! When setting out punch cups for your guests, tie a pretty pink ribbon on each handle to continue the color scheme. You can even decorate one of the punch cups with a white ribbon and the person who uses that cup receives a special prize. If you will be setting the table for your guests, position a special baby shower favor at each place setting for the guests to take home.
It's A Boy Baby Shower Theme
The most obvious color choice for your shower decorating is blue – but don’t discount bright red, green or purple – primary colors make a bold statement and add a masculine feel to the shower. If you do decorate in blue, choose varying shades to add depth and variety.
When inviting guests to the shower, including details about where mom is registered so they can shop accordingly. Depending on the time of day your shower is held, you may want to serve dessert only, a light lunch or a full meal. Check with your guest of honor for any recent cravings and serve some of her favorites. You may also want to offer vegetarian choices or sugar-free desserts for guests with special dietary needs.
Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets offers a number of baby shower favors, personalized baby boy gifts and shower centerpieces designed to complement a fun “It’s A Boy” shower.
It's A Boy Baby Shower Decorations
When planning decorations for your It's A Boy baby shower, it's fun to include all shades of blue. From tablecloths to candies to balloons and confetti, mix blue stripes with patterns and polka-dots to add variety and a touch of whimsy to the event! Fill baby boy-themed favor boxes with blue M&M's, jelly beans or Jordan almonds and use them to tie down helium balloons. Cover your gift table with a paper or plastic tablecloth, then lay out a marker and have guests leave words of wisdom on the table cover.
Keep your party favors tied into your theme with a practical compact mirror or personalized lip balm favor that features the image of an adorable baby boy! Fill a fancy basket with your favors so guests can grab one on their way out, or ask the new baby's older sibling to pass them out after all guests have arrived. Stay true to your "It's A Boy" theme by filling the room with blue and ordering your favors to match.
Under The Sea Baby Shower Theme
Depending on her stage in the pregnancy, your mother-to-be may be most looking forward to the food at her Under the Sea baby shower, and you certainly won't want to disappoint her! Plan your food around the theme you have chosen to elicit "oohs" and "aahs" from your shower guests.
Start guests off with a refreshing sea-blue punch served in a large goldfish bowl. Then offer finger sandwiches using the Under the Sea cookie cutter sets pictured above. These cutters also make great take-home under the sea baby shower favors for your guests! After sandwiches and punch, serve a delicious crab salad or refreshing seafood dip with crackers. For dessert, try your hand at a fish-shaped cake. If you don't think you can shape a cake the way you want, cheat and order a fish-shaped cake mold - then all you have to do is frost the cake using brightly colored icing and your Under the Sea shower be complete!
Brunch Baby Showers
Baby showers don’t have to all be games that have you listing things in your purse and snacks that have you wishing there was just a little something more. Instead, a baby shower brunch can be a great way to celebrate the mother-to-be and gather with friends and exchange adorable baby shower gifts. Here are a few food ideas that can make the occasion truly special.
Coffee Cake
Brunch means delicious sweets as much as it means great breakfast foods, so this is one you’ll certainly want to include. Don’t just stick to ordinary coffee cake recipes, though. Instead, get creative with this one. You could go with coffee cake muffins or even variations on coffee cake like cinnamon roll coffee cake or the ever lovely Heath Bar coffee cake. Any way you slice it, it’s going to be one of the most popular choices on your buffet.
Brunch Casserole
This is a staple of almost any brunch you might attend, and it’s an easy way to combine everyone’s favorite breakfast food – eggs – with a variety of different meat and vegetable choices. While there are many varieties out there, you may want to stay pretty traditional with this one as lots of people have expectations when they see a brunch casserole on the table. If you’re going to deviate, make certain you label it well!
Mini Quiche
Quiche are great, but a bit hard to serve in a buffet style setting. Going with mini quiche means a chance to go with something just as delicious but more in finger food style. Fortunately, all you need is a mini muffin pan and the right ingredients. As with most brunch recipes, there are lots of different choices to make in this category, but a few of the most popular are cheese and asparagus.
Fruit Salad Skewers
A baby shower brunch is a perfect time to think outside the box, so why should your fruit salad stay in the bowl? Skewer up your favorite foods, and they’ll move from the buffet table to the eating area a lot easier, and look great in the process. All you need are some skewers and your favorite fruits, and you already have a winning combo. Step it up a notch when you add a delicious fruit dip in tiny single-serving cups.
French Toast Skewers
French toast is delicious in any form, but it’s far more edible at a baby shower brunch when it’s on a stick. Simply make your French toast as you might at any other time, but then cut it into thick nugget size pieces. Threat each on a skewer, then dust them with powdered sugar.
With choices like these, your baby shower brunch is certain to be a hit. Don’t forget cute beverage ideas, too. Coffee is an absolute must, but you may want to make a pot of decaf for the mom-to-be. You may even want to go with gourmet choices like lattes. Other good beverage options include milk, orange juice, or delicious smoothies.
Farm Animal or Barnyard Baby Shower Theme
Add a little yee-haw to your event by throwing an Old MacDonald, barnyard or farm animal baby shower! So many party supply stores and online shops sell farm-inspired baby shower products so it is easy to find invitations, baby shower favors, and most importantly, decorations with a farm animal theme. Cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep will take center-stage at this fun party!
This type of party is perfectly suited to an outdoor barbecue where you can set-up hay bales and eat on picnic tables covered in red and white checkerboard tablecloths (if you go with a primary color set of decorations).
Farm Animal Baby Shower Invites
You can find some great baby shower invitations online that work for all types of price ranges. Another more affordable option is to buy the fill-in style invitations where you simply write in all the shower details such as the date, location, time, and RSVP details. Fill-in invites are normally sold in packs of 8 or 16 and usually cost about $.50 - $.75 each.
Write all the shower details inside the card along with a clever saying like:
- Down on the farm, that's where we'll be... to celebrate baby with the Mom-To-Be! Pigs, cows, and chickens, too... The only thing we need is you.
- Come on over y'all and join us for a hoopin' and hollerin' good time to celebrate (mommy-to-be name)'s baby shower.
- RSVP to (your phone number) with a yay or a neigh!
Then add some cow, pig, chicken, sheep, goat, duck, or other animal stickers to the card or in the barn loft.
Farm Animal Decorations & Barnyard Partyware
Decorating for an animal or barnyard themed baby shower can be fun whether you throw this party indoors or out. If you happen to be outdoors, buy some straw or hay bales from a local farmer or garden center to place around the shower area. If you are going to be using hay bales, consider cutting out some animal shapes or buying pre-made animal shapes and put them around the hay bales. Be sure to also create a sign that says Welcome to (mommy-to-be name)'s Farm!
You can add some red/white picnic-style tablecloths along with red, white and yellow streamers. If you have some stuffed animals like ducks, sheep, cows or pigs, distribute them around the area. Cow-print or animal-shaped baby shower balloons such as pigs and cows are a great way to incorporate the theme into the decorations as well.
Finally, many companies sell farm animal themed tableware such as the pastel-colored set that is shown to the right. This color scheme works well for baby showers. However, it is up to you to decide whether you want to go for a pastel look or a more traditional red and white color scheme. In either case, you can find plenty of tableware options to choose from.
Farm Baby Shower Party Food Ideas
For main dishes, consider Pigs in a Blanket or Chicken Fingers. You can also use animal shaped cookie cutters to create animal-shaped finger sandwiches, cheese slices and even jello jigglers (just make some jello on a jellyroll pan and use the cutters to cut-out animal shapes).
Don't forget to set out bowls of animal crackers and an animal or barn-themed baby shower cake is a must! See all the great ideas below for tractor, cow, pig, duck, and even barn-shaped cakes. The possibilities are endless!
Be sure to use some plastic animals on the food table. As you can see on the photo to the right, using a fisher price barnyard with tractors and animals can really dress up the table. Also, a farm themed diaper cake can be a terrific centerpiece choice!
Farm & Barnyard Baby Shower Cake Ideas
Images by Wilton.com
A barnyard theme gives you tons of options for creating a fantastic cake. You can find detailed instructions on how to create the above tractor, barn-shaped on other cakes shown in the photo at Wilton.com.
Farm-Themed Baby Shower Favor Ideas
For a farm themed baby shower, you can either make your own fun favors or buy gifts for your guests like the ones shown above. Many local party supply stores sell cow-shaped candle favors, animal shaped soaps, and animal-shaped candies. You can also find chocolate candy bar wrappers in just about any theme so you just buy the personalized wrappers online and the chocolate locally. Do a little gluing and assembly and voila! You have great farm themed baby shower favors!
You can also find clear cellophane gift bags that have a black and white cow pattern or little gift bags that feature a barnyard animal shower motif. You can fill these little take-home goodie bags with just about anything including candies, candles, bath products, soaps, notebooks or anything else you think the ladies at your shower would like.
Fun Farm Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Either of the gifts shown above could do double duty as both the shower centerpiece and the hostess' baby shower gift! The Old MacDonald Welcome Wagon incorporates many farm animals along with some Baby Einstein learning products for baby. Diaper cakes are one of the best choices because what new mom couldn't use diapers! It doesn't matter if this is her first or fourth child, all parents need diapers.
Christmas Themed Baby Shower
A Christmas Baby Shower can be a great idea for many reasons! First, it gives people another reason to gather at the already festive season. Second, it makes good sense since many of your guests may already be traveling home for the holidays. Plus, the mom-to-be gets to take a break during the hectic holiday season and celebrate the coming birth of her little one.
Manger Baby Shower Theme
There are so many ways you can incorporate Christmas into your baby shower theme. If you have Christians in your family or on the guest list, they'll be familiar with the baby Jesus in the manger. Even if guests are not religious, they'll still know the story. You can do a lot with a baby in the manger theme like have a North Star and you can put gifts around the manger.
Christmas Baby Shower Invitations
Find these adorable invitations at Etsy
You can have a lot of fun with the invitations for the baby shower. Make them to look like stockings complete with a fuzzy top (with fur fabric or cotton ball trim) Wrap a square invitation in Christmas Wrap. Use a manger scene to give the message you're waiting for your special arrival. Send a unique announcement with a cookie invitation!
Possible wording could be:
There'll be a new stocking on the Johnson's Mantle!
A holiday delivery is on the way but it's coming by stork - not Santa's sleigh!
No more nights as quiet as a mouse. Someone new will soon be stirring in the Peterson's House!
The stork is helping Santa this year, and will soon deliver a bundle of cheer!
Presents Baby Shower Theme
Another way to go is with a "presents" theme. Send out invitations made of wrapping paper on card stock that look like wrapped presents. You can ask everyone to bring a holiday wrapped baby shower gift for the baby. It can be something little and you can put all the small gifts inside another larger cardboard box wrapped like a present.
Baby's First Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Tree Baby Shower Theme
Christmas lends itself to the decoration of trees. So you can focus your shower around a celebration of lights and trees. Do up a tree in honor of baby with all baby items. You can tabletople top tree with pacifiers, spoons, diaper cream, thermometer, tiny nail clippers, and more. Make them items the mom can really use with baby. Tie ribbons to the packages and tie them to the branches of a little tree. Then mom can take the whole thing home to enjoy during the season.
Many companies sell strings of lights in fun shapes. You can decorate a whole tree with rubber ducky lights or a string of train-shaped or teddy bear lights. Decorate small trees around the house or one big tree.
If you are having the shower at your house, why not decorate your whole tree with baby themed ornaments. It will look cute for the whole season and you can always reuse the ornaments or give them to the mom-to-be later. A good theme is antique toys. You can do up the whole tree with pink or blue ribbon and then add ornaments that look like old wooden toys from yesteryear. You can include teddy bears around the base of the tree and in between branches. Have a baby doll that looks like an angel in white at the top of the tree.
Christmas Baby Shower Favors
There are lots of fun things you can do with your baby shower favors. Wrap your favors in Christmas gift wrapping, or place them in a mini Christmas stocking. Personalized holiday party favors are a fun gift for your guests and can include hot cocoa packets, lollipops, chocolates and more!
Christmas Baby Shower Gifts
Baby Bottles Themed Baby Shower
When deciding on a theme for a baby shower, consider the availability and practicality of using baby bottles. You can easily tie baby bottles into the invitations, decorations, baby shower gifts, and party favors.
Baby Bottle Themed Baby Shower Invitations
You can really get creative with the invitations for a bottle baby shower theme by making them yourself. One of the most clever ideas is creating an invitation out of an actual small baby bottle. Buy enough small baby bottles for all the guests that you intend to invite.
Then you have a couple options: either fill the bottles with pink, blue or a combination of pink/blue jelly beans OR place your actual computer generated printed invitations rolled up inside the bottles (like a message in a bottle). For the bottles filled with jelly beans, create labels for the exterior of the bottle that lists all the shower details like date, location, time, etc. You can buy white Avery labels to run through any inkjet or laser printer at places like Office Max or Office Depot. In either case, tie some baby themed ribbon around the bottleneck. Then mail them inside a box to each guest or hand-deliver them. Guests just love getting this little surprise!
On the other hand, not everyone has time to make their own baby shower invitations, but that is OK because so many online and local retailers sell fun bottle-themed invites. The fully customized bottle invitation shown in the photo is available at Tiny Prints. If you'd rather buy fill-in invitations which are a bit more affordable, look for fun bottle-shaped invites shown from online stationery stores. They have tons of great options!
Bottle Baby Shower Themed Partyware
To incorporate your theme into the baby shower tableware, consider purchasing at least a few pieces of bottle-themed items such as plates and napkins. To save money, you can get the table covers, cups, and plastic silverware in a solid color that coordinates with the themed items. Add some bottle-shaped baby shower balloons along with some latex balloons on the back of the expectant Mom's chair and throughout the shower area.
Giant plastic baby bottles can be used to hold flowers for centerpieces on the buffet table or use small plastic bottles for single stems of flowers such as Gerbera daisies. Another centerpiece option is to purchase a bottle or 'got milk?' themed diaper cake.
This fun snack dispenser idea was submitted to Fun Attic. Purchase inexpensive baby bottles suitable for holding food (cheap bottles are not suitable for feeding baby). Remove the nipples and fill the bottles with nuts, mints or your favorite trail mix. Replace collar on bottle and then people can shake contents into hands. It looks cute on the tables and it keeps hands from dipping into a bowl. And since I'm a bit of a germaphobe - it sounds great to me!
Another fun idea is to have guests give Mom tips by having a large plastic baby bottle along with sheets of paper and pens. When guests arrive at the shower, ask them to fill out one of the tip sheets and place it in the bottle. Mom (or you) can take the messages and create a cute memory book that will be cherished for years to come.
Bottle Baby Shower Food Ideas
It can be difficult to tie in a bottle theme perfectly with the snacks and food at the baby shower. However, this is where you need to get creative by using bottle-shaped containers and trays for the presentation. You can place small snack bottles throughout the shower area on side tables.
For the main course, go with some classic baby shower food and some of my favorites such as tortilla roll-ups with chicken or ham, classic bruschetta, shrimp stuffed mushroom caps, egg or chicken salad sandwiches, fruit and veggie trays with dip, and artichoke/spinach/nacho dips. You can find a whole range of appetizer type recipes at Plan The Perfect Baby Shower.
Another great way to incorporate the bottle theme is by using a baby bottle-shaped cookie cutter to make cut-out cookies, finger sandwiches, and cheese slices that you can serve with cracker. And a bottle-shaped cake is a must so check out the great ideas from Wilton below.
Bottle Baby Shower Cakes
Wilton cake decorators seem to have a never-ending supply of great baby shower cake ideas and baby bottles are no exception. Here, you can find the instructions for how to make the above cakes plus links to the forums where baby shower planners are asking questions and commenting on how to make their own baby bottle creations.
Baby Bottle Themed Shower Favors
The most obvious choice for inexpensive baby shower favors are baby bottles filled with any number of things such as bath salts, pacifier or bottle-shaped candies, chocolates or whatever you can get to fit in the bottle. Just add some ribbon and a personalized favor hang tag for a great party favor!
Baby Bottle Shower Gift Ideas
The bottle baby blanket gift and the deluxe bottle diaper pinatas shown in the above photograph are just two adorable shower gift options. The fact that all of these items stand nearly 2 feet tall makes them an excellent choice for the baby shower centerpiece as well.
The gifts are constructed from fully practical and usable items such as diapers, diapers, booties/socks, rattles, wash clothes, bibs and baby blankets all cleverly rolled and assembled to look like one big baby bottle. Super fun!!
Another popular gift choice given the recent concerns about toxic BPA in bottles are the Born Free bottles that are completely free of BPA's. They may be a bit on the expensive side, but who can put a price on baby's safety?
Cute As Can Bee Baby Shower
Not sure whether the new baby will be a boy or a girl? What will the baby "bee" is the perfect theme to choose for the shower. By incorporating either pink or blue in with the traditional black and yellow of a bumblebee, you'll have guests trying to figure out what baby will be well before Mommy's due date.
Bee Baby Shower Invitations
When it comes to shower invitations, there are usually several options and you'll want to choose the one that best fits your budget and theme. The pink invites shown below are fully customized invitations that are pre-printed with all of the shower details.
Of course, this type of invitation is more expensive than the write-in kind where you provide the details, but they'll save you lots of time in the long run. They are also quite adorable and fit in perfectly with a bee shower theme!
Bee Baby Shower Decorations & Tableware
Here are some ideas for a bee themed party. This looks like it was for a birthday celebration, but it would also work for a baby shower.
Bee Baby Shower Food & Cake Ideas
No baby shower would be complete without an adorable, delicious cake, and there are a number of different choices to consider. A cake in the shape of a beehive is probably a natural choice, and it’s fairly easy to do with a cake of several layers and plenty of icing. Another good choice, though, is to create a cupcake cake with a flower and a tiny bee on top of each cupcake. Other cute food choices might include a snack mix with Honeycombs cereal, or even pretzel rods dipped in pink or blue-tinted white chocolate and covered with bee stripes.
Bee Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Shop online and you'll be able to find all kinds of unique gifts such as clothing, hooded towels, bibs and more all with a bee motif. The cute gift above is available from All About Gifts & Baskets.
Bee Themed Baby Shower Favor Ideas
There are several ways to thank guests for coming to your shower with this theme. You could certainly get small jars of honey from a local producer. Tie a note around each one that says “Thanks for BEEing Here!” You could also consider a Burt’s Bees product gift pack for each guest. Bee or hive shaped sugar cookies are another idea. Honey sticks, beeswax or honeycomb-shaped candles or soaps are also a good idea.
Other Baby Shower Theme Trends
Don’t think of a baby shower as an event where you’re stuck in a stuffy church basement playing baby shower games where you try to remember what’s in the bottom of your purse. Today’s baby showers are very different. Stay on the trendy side with your next shower. Here are some tips that can help.
- Gender Reveal: People love a good excuse to have a party, and a baby is a big one. Many are having a party even before the main shower called a gender reveal shower. Instead of finding out what the baby will be in the ultrasound room, the doctor writes the baby’s sex down on a sheet of paper and puts it in an envelope. The parents give the envelope to the hostess of the shower, then she builds an entire shower around the concept of what the baby will be.
- Green Showers: You probably work hard to make your home and the rest of your life green, why not make your baby shower green, too? You don’t just have to choose green friendly products for your shower, either. You could have a completely recycled shower where everyone brings gently used baby stuff for the new mommy. You could also go for a handmade shower where everyone brings a handmade gift. Alternately, you could go with a green shower where you only give eco-friendly baby gifts like cloth diapers, seeds to plant with baby, or natural baby bottles.
- Think Gender: Baby showers were once an event for just Moms. Now they can be just for Mom, for Mom and Dad, or even just for Dad. Baby showers don’t just have to be for Mom. While lots of things will have to change if you’re going to do a shower just for Dad, it’s still trendy to have one.
- Gift Free Showers: In some cases, parents have very specific items they need for baby. They don’t simply want odd gifts they have little control over coming in. In this case, going giftless is a must. Simply showing up to celebrate the baby is enough. Some even choose to go to just gift cards or cash in lieu of gifts, and this often works well for these kinds of parents too.
- Adding to the Family: There was a time when second, third, or even fourth babies didn’t get a shower. Now they get a “sprinkle.” These are much smaller versions of showers, but they’ve almost reached the height of the little black dress on the baby shower circuit. Sprinkles don’t involve expensive gifts. Sometimes they’re just a diaper-only shower or a “bring a meal” shower where everyone brings a frozen meal for the parents to stick in the freezer when baby arrives.
As you get ready to plan a baby shower for a friend or family member, don’t hesitate to go with something a bit trendier. You don’t have to stick with the seventies notion of baby showers now. Instead, you can get really creative with this kind of party.
Baby Shower Games
- Name The Nursery Rhyme - We list 20 short phrases included in popular nursery rhymes. You may think it's easy to fill in the rest of the rhyme along with the title, but we've found a few that are pretty challenging. Don't worry, we also provide an answer key!
- Baby Shower Word Jumble - 20 words associated with pregnancy and babies have been jumbled and it's up to your guests to decipher them. To make this game even tougher, put a time limit on it. The person who comes up with the most correct answers in 5 minutes takes home the prize. Again, we provide the answer key in case there are a couple tough jumbles.
- Who Knows Mommy Best - See who knows the mother-to-be best by having guests answer questions like "What is mommy's favorite color?" or "What is mommy's shoe size?" While guests work on their answers, have the mother-to-be fill in the correct answers. You may be surprised at how much - or how little - guests know in a short time period!
- Baby Shower Categories Game - Similar to Scattergories, this popular game can be played individually or as a team. Guests must come up with words that start with a specific letter and that fit into a specific baby-related category such as Baby Boy Names, Baby Products, Baby Food Flavors or Items Found in a Diaper Bag.
- Baby Shower Guest Discovery - A great ice-breaker, this game should be handed out to guests when they arrive. As they mingle, they will try to find someone who shares their shoe size, who has gone on a blind date, etc. The one who fills in the most answers wins!
- Baby Shower Purse Game - One of my personal favorites, this game rewards the guest with the most "junk" in her purse! The sheet is basically a checklist of items - mundane to eccentric. Guests receive points based on how many items are in her purse. One point items include keys, a pen and a credit card. Guests can earn 20 points if they are carrying a spoon, socks, earrings or a jar of baby food.
- Baby Animals Game - We've listed 25 adult animal names and your guests will have to fill in the baby name. The animals start out easy (Cow/Calf), get a little more difficult (Goose/Gosling) and end up extremely challenging (Penguin/Fledgling). The guest to score 25 out of 25 deserves a truly special prize!
- Baby Shower Bingo - The last free game we offer is also our most popular. The game set includes 25 different bingo cards along with 75 bingo names. Simply cut the names apart and place them in a hat. Draw out names one at a time, then wait for someone to shout "BABY BINGO". If you want to play more than one game, provide candies or diaper pins to cover the names as they are called.
- Belly String - The mom-to-be will be nice and round by the time you host the shower. A fun game is to give every guest a roll of string and ask them to cut off as much as they think will fit around the mom’s belly. They’re not allowed to measure. They have to eyeball it. The one who comes closest wins a prize.
- Bowl for Baby - Set up 10 baby bottles filled with M&Ms or little candies. Arrange them like bowling pins. Use a small ball such as a beach ball or small croquet ball and have each guest bowl for prizes.
- The Name Game - There are variations on this fun game, but one way to play is to ask guests to sit in a circle. Each guest, as their turn comes up, must shout out a baby name that starts with a letter of the alphabet. The first person will get “A” and shouts out “Angelina!” and so on. Each guest only gets three seconds and if they can’t come up with a name by then, they are eliminated. No repeats!
- Diaper Race - You’ll probably have both new moms and grandmothers at your shower. This is a fun way to see who can diaper and dress a baby the fastest. Start with two baby dolls. Add a pile of clothes that includes a diaper, socks, onesie, pants and hat. Start the race by having two ladies race against each other to dress their doll. Hilarious laughter will erupt as even the most seasoned ladies fumble.
Printable Baby Shower Games
There are lots of free printable games available to play at baby showers. The beauty of the printed game is that you prepare it beforehand and your work is done. All you have to do is sit back and watch as the laughter erupts!
You can access printable games online. Just print and let the fun begin. Make sure you offer fun prizes for contestants who are good sports. One site that is especially chock-full of excellent printable baby shower games is www.baby-gifts-gift-baskets.com. Check it out to print a few or lots.
Nursery Rhyme Fill Ins - Guests are given a sheet with parts of nursery rhymes printed on it and asked to fill in the rest of each verse. The winner is the one with the most correct answers.
Things in Mommy’s Purse - This game is especially fun if you have women who love big purses. The sheet includes lists of things that could be in a lady’s purse. As women look through their bags, they can check off any items that they’ve got. It’s fun to see who has brought the most in their purse!
Celebrity Moms and Dads - This matching game will tell you who’s in the know when it comes to the stars. The sheet asks you to match the celebrity with the name of their children.
Animal Babies Match - This game asks guests to tap into their knowledge of the animal kingdom. Can they match the adult animal with the name of its young? It’s harder than you think.
And Mommy Wore - How good are your guests’ skills of observation? Have the new mom to be leave the room. Hand out these sheets and ask guests questions about her appearance. The one who has noticed the most wins.
Baby’s Beautiful Reflection - Everyone wants their best traits passed on to their baby. This hysterical game has traits listed. Everyone marks down whether they think the baby will get that trait from their mom or dad.
Back in the Day- This game asks guests to match famous TV parents with their on-screen offspring. It’s funny to see just how many guests can accurately remember.
Everything Baby A-Z- This game has guests racing to be the first to name 26 things that relate to baby—one for every letter of the alphabet.
In addition to these online printables, you can print your own games using your own computer. Tailor your games to the mom to be. If you’re having a co-ed baby shower, include the names of both parents. You can invite people to give their advice to the new parents by offering a decorated card to write their pearls of wisdom on.
Using any kind of program you have, such as Microsoft Word, you can create hilarious game sheets. Makeup games using the name, likes and dislikes of the mom to be. If you know what the baby is going to be named, you can design a game around it. Use colors or animals that the mom has chosen for the nursery theme as part of your game. And the more you get everyone involved, the more fun it will be.
Farm Animal Baby Shower Games
If you are tired of the same baby shower games that you've played a hundred times, try a few of these games that focus on your barnyard baby shower theme:
Baby Animal Name Game - Prior to the shower, look up the proper names of farm animals and their offspring. Create a list of each, and have your guests match the mother to the baby. For example, a mother horse is called a mare and the baby horse is a foal. More mothers and babies are listed below:
(Cattle) Cow Calf
(Goose) Goose Gosling
(Duck) Duck Duckling
(Chicken) Hen Chick
(Goat) Doe Kid
(Pig) Sow Piglet
(Sheep) Ewe Lamb
(Cat) Queen Kitten
Old MacDonald Memory Game - Another fun shower game tests your guests' memories! With everyone gathered in a circle, start to the right of the mother-to-be. Have this guest say the phrase "(Mother-to-be) has a farm and on her farm she has a (list animal)" For example, if Mary were the mother to be, your guest should say, "Mother Mary has a farm and on her farm she has a goat." The next guest repeats the phrase and adds another animal. This continues around the circle and gets increasingly difficult as each guest has to remember the list of animals and come up with a new animal to add! You may want to write down the list of animals to make sure the guests are getting them right! The game can continue until either someone gets the list wrong, or until there is 1 guest left who can recite the entire list of animals.
Barnyard Babies Hunt - Get your guests out of their seats with a farm animal hunt - similar to an Easter egg hunt. Purchase a set of farm animal babies like the ones pictured above (photo courtesy ofgrowingtreetoys.com). Hide the animals around your shower venue and offer prizes for recovering each toy.
Creative & Fun Baby Shower Games
What's more fun than making a fool out of yourself at a baby shower? Baby shower games are designed to get everyone up, involved, and having fun. The sillier the games, the better!
No one expects to maintain their decorum when baby shower games start. So have a little fun, and get a little crazy with these baby shower games and show your guests a great time!
Baby Charades
Start with a good game of baby charades. Make a set of cards ahead of time with baby-themed things to act out. You could write drinking a bottle, diapering a baby, giving birth, etc. on cards.
Divide the group into two teams and have them battle it out. Another fun version is to provide paper and have the contestant draw her item instead of acting it out. Get easel paper so everyone can see what's being drawn.
Baby Bottle Chug
This game will get rave reviews and the room will erupt in laughter. Fill baby bottles, one for each guest, with a liquid of choice. You can use milk, soda, water, juice or anything you like.
Give each guest a bottle. On the count of three every guest has to chug her entire bottle of liquid. The mom to be gets to be the judge. The first to finish every drop wins. Plus, the bottles won't go to waste. You can sanitize them and send them home with the mom to be as baby gifts.
Baby Bottle Chugging - In Action
The Price is Right
Set up this guessing game by purchasing various baby items like a tub of wipes, ointment, a pack of pacifiers, a box of diapers, etc.
The host will save the receipts so she can show what each one cost. Pass out paper with each item listed and a pen. Ask each guest to guess how much each item cost. The one closest to the actual price wins. You can then give all the items to the mom to be.
What's This For?
In this game, guests are given one object that babies might use or have received as newborn gifts, the guest is then asked to come up with twenty ways to use it.
Give out pencil and paper and have each guest write their twenty ideas down. Use objects like a breast pump, a thermometer, a nose syringe, tiny fingernail clippers, etc. The funnier or more obscure the object the better. Make sure you have the suggestions read aloud so everyone can get a laugh.
Feed the Baby
This game is absolutely silly and will probably be the hit of the shower. Choose partners. The goal is for one partner to feed their partner a jar of baby food before the other team does.
Think about what you could fill the baby food jar with as most people can't stomach baby food. You could use applesauce or cottage cheese or peas.
Make sure you give each pair of guests a bib and a baby spoon. It's not for the faint of heart, but it will surely bring the house down with laughter.
Feed Your Baby - See it in action
It gets most interesting around 3:40...
Cotton Ball Scoop
Image by Liz (perspicacious.org) on Flickr
This game is really funny. First, blindfold a contestant and then spin them around. Have one bucket with cotton balls and next to it an empty bucket arranged in front of them or you can add a challenge and have them place the bucket on their head, or use a plate as this is easier to hold above your head.
Hand them a scoop. Tell them they are not allowed to feel what's in the bucket. As they try to scoop the cotton balls, the laughter will build.
They're so light, they are hard to feel, so she'll think she's scooping air.
Baby Shower Game Ice Breakers
Question: How Much Does a Polar Bear Weigh?
Answer: Enough to break the ice!
Oh, the pain of hosting a party where no one is mingling. The last thing you want is to throw a baby shower where everyone sits around silently sipping their punch. It can really drag on and you'll start getting anxious. Instead, include some icebreakers in the form of fun games that everyone can play. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Set the Stage with Fun Decor
Start With Name Tags
First and Foremost
Often people at the shower come from different times in the guest of honor's life. She may have friends from college, work and family and they may never have met.
The first thing to do is give everyone a marker and let them write their own name tag when they come in. Or you could have all the name tags written out in advance. But it's more fun, and gives girls something to do upon entering, if you let them write out their own tags. And you'll be sure that everyone's name is spelled correctly.
Activity 1 - Scrapbook!
Start out with some very basic ice breakers. One good idea is to have guests create a scrapbook page for the mom to be. You can have scrapbooking materials out at a table and each guest can come and make a page that will go in a scrapbook you'll give to the guest of honor. Have at least four seats so that guests can sit and mingle with each other while making their pages.
Have your table set up in an area where others can drag up a chair and participate too. Once the action gets going, everyone will want to be involved. When you've collected all the pages, you can adhere them to the actual scrapbook. Send the mom home with it or work on it later when guests have gone.
Baby Scrapbooking
Activity 2 - Introductions
Another easy idea is to have everyone go around in a circle and say how they know the guest of honor. It will bring up memories, break the ice and also give everyone and idea of where they fit into the overall picture.
You can also ask guests to share a little something about themselves like where they live, how many kids they have, where they grew up, or a hobby that they enjoy.
The guests may share an interest or talent that others want to ask more about later.
After Games, Celebrate With Dessert
Activity 3 - Mom & Baby Trivia
Don't feel you have to hover over guests and make them talk to each other. Provide areas where there are fun things to do and eat, and you'll get people up.
Have every guest fill out a questionnaire as to how well they know the guest of honor, guesses on the baby's birth date and time, and other trivia about the family. This can get really fun.
Activity 4 - Take Some Yarn
You will also want to have games that are easy to play. One fun one is to have each person unwind a length of yarn from a ball as they come in. Don't tell them what it's for. Then, when the time comes, have the mom to be stand up. Each person has to circle their thread around mom's belly. The person who chose a length that's the closest to mom's actual belly size wins a prize.
Pop the (Fake) Bubbly & Get the Party Started
Activity 5 - Have Fun and Take the Lead
There are all sorts of things that you can do to break the ice at a baby shower. The most important thing is for you to be organized, plan well and then show that you're having fun yourself the day of the party. Every guest will be taking their cue from you, so if you're relaxed, they will be too.
Baby Shower Mocktails
A baby shower isn’t exactly the place to start drinking, but nothing like a few cocktails can get the room relaxed and talking. The compromise, of course, is a few great mocktail ideas. Here are some to consider for your upcoming baby shower.
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The Mint Breezer:
If you’re looking for a refreshing twist at your baby shower, this is certainly the mocktail you’ll want to consider. From the lime to the pomegranate juice, it’s likely to thrill and refresh at the same time. You’ll need two ounces of pomegranate juice, pineapple juice and club soda. You’ll also need ¾ of an ounce of lime juice, a pineapple slice, and some mint leaves. Mix the fruit juices together in a shaker. Add some ice and shake hard. Strain it into a highball glass, then top it off with soda. Use the pineapple slice and mint leaves as garnish.
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Virgin Grapefruit Mojito:
There’s nothing quite as delicious as a mojito, and this version is ideal for the baby shower. It’s a tasty mix you just can’t miss. You need a quarter cup of pink grapefruit, chunked and seeded, two tablespoons of honey, 12 mint leaves, and a half-cup of pink grapefruit soda. Add the grapefruit, honey, and mint to a cocktail shaker. Smash the fruit to release the juices. Add a cup of small ice cubes, and the soda. Shake hard, then divide it between two rocks glasses. Top them off with soda as well. Garnish with mint if desired.
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Pink Grapefruit Margaritas:
If you’re going with a pink shower for a baby girl, this should certainly be the addition you choose. You’ll need two tablespoons of sanding sugar, a lime, six teaspoons of pomegranate syrup, and one and a half cups of pink grapefruit juice. Put your sanding sugar in a shallow dish, then rub a lime wedge around the rims of 6 glasses. Dip the rims in the sugar. Pour a teaspoon of pomegranate syrup into the bottom of each glass. Put the grapefruit juice and two cups of ice in a blender. Crush the ice with the blender, and pour the mixture into the glasses. Stir to combine with syrup. Garnish with a lime if desired.
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Michigan Fizz:
If you’re looking for a choice with a bit of tang, this is what you want to choose. Just two ingredients make the drink, and it’s the perfect touch, even if you can’t add alcohol. You’ll need three tablespoons of frozen cherry juice concentrate and a cup of ginger ale. Measure the cherry juice into a glass, then fill the remaining part of it with ginger ale. Stir it gently, and garnish with a cherry if desired.
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Designated Appletini
Mom-to-be has already had to give up so much for the new baby. She shouldn’t have to give up her favorite drink, too. This is the perfect recipe for those who want a taste of the old days. You’ll need two ounces of apple juice, a half ounce of simple syrup, a quarter of an ounce of lemon juice, melted caramel, and an apple slice. Rim your glass with the melted caramel. Add the juices and syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain into the rimmed cocktail glass. Float your apple slice in the drink.
You don’t have to stick with the standard sherbet punch at your next baby shower. Instead, mix up some fun that even Mom-to-be can enjoy with these mocktails.
Baby Shower Drink Ideas
When you’re celebrating with friends, you probably have lots of drink options on the table. When you’re planning a baby shower with a guest list that includes those same friends, though, your choices are likely a bit more limiting. After all, why serve drinks the mother-to-be can’t indulge in? Here are a few other ideas you may want to consider.
The Right Recipes
Good drink choices are all about the right recipes, and while you don’t have to do anything fancy, you do have lots of different options. You may want to consider the classic shower punch with a half-gallon of sherbet, a can of pineapple juice and a two-liter bottle of ginger ale. You may also want to step things up a notch with smoothies, limeades, or even virgin drink versions of your favorites. In colder weather, you may want to go with some favorites like lattes, cocoa, or even spiced apple cider. The key is to select something that works with both your budget and your menu at the same time because drinks can get expensive in a hurry.
The Perfect Containers
Why stick with red plastic cups when you can do something a little more exciting for your guests? These ideas make for cute table decorations and great choices on the big day.
Mason Jars – Few things say rustic quite like drinking out of a Mason Jar, but they’re nothing if not adorable. Feel free to leave them on the table empty or prefill them if you like. You may even want to let your guests take them home as a baby shower favor. You can pick them up new at your local grocery story or scour the thrift shops in your area for a great selection that won’t cost you much.
Glass Soda and Milk Bottles – If you never experienced the thrill of drinking from a glass soda or milk bottle as a child, this one may not make sense to you. Fortunately, they’re as cute as they are fun to drink from, and they’re completely recyclable. You can pick up the right ones for your party at a number of online shops and marketplaces like Etsy and Ebay.
Customized Water Bottles – Even if you don’t want to go to the trouble of a great beverage idea, consider water. Customized bottles can make it look like you’ve spent a ton of time and effort on the drink choice too. You can get all sorts of personalized baby shower favor labels that match your theme or even info about the baby. Shop around online for great deals.
Reusable Cups – If you want to combine the party favor with the drink vessel, this is a great choice. You can order customized ones for fairly cheap or just get them off the shelf at any store. You’ll get a huge bonus if you go with the double-walled tumblers with lids and straws that are so popular nowadays.
No matter what you decide to serve at that baby shower, your guests are going to enjoy the experience!
After the Shower: Writing Thank You Notes
Baby shower gifts that friends and family offer to them and to the new addition. From receiving baby blankets and crib sheets, onesies and bibs, to toys and books, showers are wonderful ways to give couples what they need to start their new baby’s life. While people love shopping for babies and expect nothing other than for you to enjoy the gifts, it is always a great idea to thank them for their generosity and thoughtfulness. Here are some tips for writing baby shower thank you cards.
As guests arrive at your baby shower, ask that they print their names and addresses in a guest book. This can be a simple sheet of paper or a more decorative book that you can then add pictures to for a scrapbook. Whatever you choose, this will give you the guests’ addresses for your thank you notes. Next, enlist the help of your mother, sister, or best friend. It will be her (or his) job to write down which guest gave which gift. In the excitement of opening all those gifts, it can be difficult to remember which gift goes with which guest. This is important, though, so you can reference the gift in the card.
Now, we know expectant mothers and couples are very busy trying to get ready for the little one; but remember, your guests took time out of their busy lives to shop and attend your shower. Thanking them personally is the best option, even if it does take a little longer.
- Always handwrite your cards so they are personal.
- Do not use a fill-in-the-blank card or a card with a prewritten message. No one likes to get a card with nothing but your signature. It is very impersonal and does not convey your gratitude.
- Always write a few lines about the gift, how you plan to use it, etc. Your baby shower guest/gift list will be invaluable here.
- Send the notes as promptly as you can; once the baby comes, you won’t have as much time to write them. If you can, make them out the day of your shower – while everything is fresh in your mind!
- If you need help, have your partner or a friend address the envelopes for you and ask them to stop by the post office to mail them. But do not make your baby shower guests fill out their own return envelope. As etiquette experts say, that’s just tacky!
Your wording can certainly be your own; as long as you convey your thanks and appreciation, it does not matter if you are a natural poet or not. The following example is simple, direct, but loving:
Dear Tami,
What an amazing blanket! I know it was a lot of work, but I love it and I know the baby will too! Thank you so much for the beautiful, thoughtful gift.
Here, you are commending this person not only on their blanket-crafting skills, but on their thoughtfulness and style. It won’t take you long to write those few lines, but it will mean so much to the giver.
Another example:
Dear Janet,
Thank you so much for the gorgeous outfit! I fell in love with it, and we have it packed in our bag so we can take our new little girl home from the hospital in style!
It will make the giver feel great that her gift has such a place of honor. Even if it doesn’t, you can still write something like, “I can’t wait to put this on the baby!” or “Just when I thought baby clothes couldn’t get any cuter!”
Baby shower thank you cards are a tiny way to show your appreciation; they will take a little time to fill in, but, in many ways, this is your gift to your guests.
Article Contents
- Before The Shower: Baby Shower Etiquette
- When to Have A Shower
- Planning a shower
- Baby Shower Themes
- Zoo Animal Baby Shower Theme
- Sprinkle Themed Baby Shower
- Teddy Bear Themed Baby Shower
- Peapod Themed Baby Shower
- Noah's Ark Themed Baby Shower
- Jungle Themed Baby Shower
- It's A Girl Baby Shower Theme
- It's A Boy Baby Shower Theme
- Under The Sea Baby Shower Theme
- Brunch Baby Showers
- Farm Animal or Barnyard Baby Shower Theme
- Christmas Themed Baby Shower
- Baby Bottles Themed Baby Shower
- Cute As Can Bee Baby Shower
- Other Baby Shower Theme Trends
- Baby Shower Games
- Printable Baby Shower Games
- Farm Animal Baby Shower Games
- Creative & Fun Baby Shower Games
- Baby Shower Game Ice Breakers
- Question: How Much Does a Polar Bear Weigh?
Answer: Enough to break the ice!
- Set the Stage with Fun Decor
- Start With Name Tags
- First and Foremost
- Activity 1 - Scrapbook!
- Baby Scrapbooking
- Activity 2 - Introductions
- After Games, Celebrate With Dessert
- Activity 3 - Mom & Baby Trivia
- Activity 4 - Take Some Yarn
- Pop the (Fake) Bubbly & Get the Party Started
- Activity 5 - Have Fun and Take the Lead
- Baby Shower Mocktails
- Baby Shower Drink Ideas
- After the Shower: Writing Thank You Notes
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