Throwing a baby shower can be stressful, but overall, it is one of the most exciting events to plan and can be a blast for both guests and the mother-to-be! With the new DIY culture becoming more and more popular, there are a multitude of themes, games, treats, and gifts that you can use at your next baby shower that are easy to produce. Here are some of our favorite baby shower party ideas to inspire your own baby shower.
Baby Shower Theme Ideas
A baby shower is enough reason to have a party, but if you want to stray away from the normal boy or girl-themed showers, then consider going with a themed baby shower. Adding a theme to your baby shower helps you choose an event venue, pick out decorations, plan floral arrangements, and decide on food and desserts for your party with a new twist. Here are some popular and original theme ideas for your next baby shower!
Vintage
Vintage has been a popular theme over the years for obvious reasons. The vintage look is very easy to decorate, extremely aesthetically pleasing, and usually a crowd-pleaser. You can direct with black and white photos, old suitcases, and pretty much anything you can find at a thrift or vintage store!
Wild West
If you like cowboy hats, horses, and cute mini lassos, then a Wild West theme will be perfect for your baby shower. This theme is definitely out of the ordinary, but it will be one that will leave a mark on your guests. Whether you want lassos, cowboy hats, or stacks of hay, this baby shower will have a fun vibe to it that will be remembered forever. Be sure to choose a rustic venue to suit your Wild West theme!
Breakfast at Tiffany's
A baby blue-themed baby shower is usually paired with the birth of a baby boy, but combined with Breakfast at Tiffany's decorations, you can also use this theme for a newborn girl! If you have a sweet tooth and are planning on having a cake, you can decorate the cake to look like a Tiffany's box. Decorate the event space with silver and china and include little details like antique napkin rings.
Spring
If you're planning a baby shower sometime during the spring or summer, the weather can be worked into your theme. Planning a spring baby shower is not just easy; it is also very popular. You can use the abundance of flowers during this season and decorate the event venue with the mum-to-be's favorite flower, or go with traditional pastels that are signature springtime.
Baby Bird
Everyone knows about the story of the stork delivering a newborn baby. Why not incorporate some of these motifs into your baby shower décor? A baby bird (or duck) themed baby shower is not only adorable, but the decorations are also very widespread and easy to find. Not only that, but animal themes are a great preview of more kids’ parties to come!
Spa Baby Shower
A mother-to-be has a lot on her plate, so a spa-themed baby shower is a perfect opportunity for her to relax. While there are some things that expecting mothers should not do, for the most part, relaxing and getting pampered is a must, especially amidst all the stress of preparing for a newborn. This theme is not only relaxing but also enjoyable for the host and guests.
Tea Party
While the expecting mother may not be able to drink alcohol or coffee, certain teas are still acceptable, and throwing a tea party baby shower would be a great theme to consider. Whether you host it at your own home or at an event venue, you can pair various teas with scones, sandwiches, and any other bite-sized snack you enjoy!
Beach
The best thing about beach themes is that they can fit almost every occasion and require little decoration. While it can sometimes be difficult to make it out to a beach, a beach theme is perfect for an outdoor venue, especially one with a pool. Some beach theme designs are perfect for a baby shower, like seashells and seahorses.
Baby Shower Game Ideas
A baby shower would definitely not be complete without games. There are many games to choose from, some of which are standard for baby showers and others that are more creative. Try these fun games and activities at your next baby shower, and it's sure to be a success! These games not only serve as an ice breaker among guests but will have the entire party bonding and having a great time. They are fun, easy, and, best of all, they are inexpensive!
Guess Mommy's Tummy Size
For this game, all you will need is some ribbon or yarn and a pair of scissors. Have each guest guess how much yarn it will take to wrap around the mommy-to-be's tummy and cut it. After everybody has their cut piece of yarn, measure each piece around the tummy. The guest with the closest size yarn wins!
Guess the Baby Photo
This game involves some planning ahead. You will either need to email the guests and ask them to bring a baby photo of themselves or include it in the invitation. Once everyone arrives, take the baby photo from them and hang it on the wall, along with a labeled number. Give each participant a pen and paper and allow them ten minutes to match the photo to the guest. The guest with the most correct guesses wins!
My Baby Egg
For this game, you will need to have hard-boiled eggs prepared. Have enough eggs to give each guest one. Feel free to get creative and decorate the eggs. When the guests arrive, pass the eggs out and explain to the guests that their egg is their responsibility for the evening, and she must care for it as if it were a baby. At the end of the party, tell each guest to turn in their egg in exchange for a party favor and see how many guests were able to keep track of their egg baby.
Baby Face
Baby Face is one of the more creative games. Each guest will get a headshot of the soon-to-be parents and use the various facial features, such as eyes, lips, ears, and nose, to create what they think the baby will look like. The result is often extremely entertaining!
Baby Bingo
For baby bingo, you will need pens and a bingo template. Fill the template with items from the gift registry and tell the guests to mark each item off as the mommy-to-be opens the gift. The guest with the first complete row checked off wins!
Remember, the most important part of the event is to have fun. So, sit back, relax, and let these games do the entertaining for you!
Baby Shower Food Ideas
Baby showers are a perfect opportunity for creatively decorated foods. Creating anything baby-like from food dishes has been increasingly popular, which is why the deviled eggs baby carriage treats are quite a hit at baby showers. Deviled eggs are already a popular party snack, and it only takes a few extra steps to make each of them look like a baby carriage. You also have the option of using regular boiled eggs as opposed to deviled eggs as well. The recipes for these are extremely easy and a huge crowd-pleaser.
Another food option that plays off the concept of a newborn baby is babies in a blanket. These are extremely easy; all you need to do is add faces on pigs in a blanket using an edible marker. Just like that, your pigs in a blanket have been transformed into babies in a blanket and are a festive fit for your baby shower!
You can also consider options like finger sandwiches, such as cucumber-dill or chicken salad on mini croissants. Offer a variety of dips, including fresh guacamole, a tangy spinach and artichoke dip, and a classic hummus served with an assortment of sliced veggies and pita bread. Cheese and charcuterie boards with olives, nuts, and dried fruits provide a savory counterpoint. On the sweeter side, fruit kabobs drizzled with a honey-yogurt dip are always a hit, as are mini cupcakes or cake pops in hues matching the baby shower theme. Round things off with refreshing beverages like fruit-infused water, mocktails, and perhaps a signature drink like a non-alcoholic sparkling punch. Whatever you choose, keep the mum-to-be's preferences in mind and offer a balance of sweet and savory options.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas
If you're an attendee, there are many creative gifts that you can give at your next baby shower. For example, a different and perhaps more meaningful alternative to a card is a book for the youngster to read when he or she grows up. Whether it be a Dr. Seuss book for the child's elementary years or a coming-of-age novel for high school, the sentimental value of the book will stay with your family or friend's child for much longer than a card. Another way to add a personal touch to your gift (and an eco-friendly one!) is to wrap your gift in a baby blanket instead of wrapping paper. You can even stitch the child's name or initials in the corner of the blanket, again giving it a personal touch and memento for years to come.
Baby Shower Party Favor Ideas
Party favors are a nice parting gift for your baby shower guests, especially for those who may have driven far lengths to arrive at your baby shower venue. It is always a good idea to give your guests a practical party favor, usually containing a food item, so that the small gifts won't end up in a junk closet a few months later. Baby bottle party favors filled with baking ingredients are the perfect way for your guests to remember your special affair while at the same time getting a tasty treat (that is when they choose to bake them). By just adding eggs and milk, your guests will be able to make delectable treats while they reminisce about all the fun that was had at your baby shower!
How to Plan a Baby Shower
Baby showers are a great way to bring together friends and family to celebrate a mother-to-be and her little one on the way. Whether you’re looking to throw an event that is elegant or casual, a little planning and a few basic ideas can help you make sure it’s a success.
1. Decide on the Type of Baby Shower
Traditionally hosted at the home of a close friend, baby showers used to be exclusively for female family and friends. These days, however, showers take on a variety of forms, from house parties to restaurant brunches or catered events, some co-ed, some not. When it comes down to deciding what type of shower is best for your occasion, one thing is important to keep in mind: go with what the mother-to-be wants! With all of the stresses involved with giving birth, this should be a fun day where she can relax and feel comfortable.
2. Determine the Size of the Guest List
Sit down with the mother-to-be well in advance of your planning to get an idea of what type of event she’s imagining. Something intimate for close friends? Something larger to bring together the extended family? Once you have an idea of the overall feel of the event, you’ll be able to sort out the rest of your plan with greater precision. If she wants to leave it entirely to you, that’s perfect, but if she has certain specifications, it’s best to know everything upfront before you start making too many choices.
3. Choose the Baby Shower Venue
Deciding on the size of the guest list will help you choose an appropriate location. Hosting at your home may be the best way to go, depending on the number of guests. Cutting down on the variables involved and keeping it somewhere familiar for the mother can be a great help.
However, while a house party may sound like the simplest way to go, sometimes you want to avoid the preparation and clean-up. Consider choosing a favorite restaurant with a private event area big enough to accommodate your group. Having someone else taking care of the set-up, cooking, and cleaning is a great way to keep you having fun and with your attention more on the mother than clearing plates.
4. Select Food, Games, & Decorations
Keep your food ideas simple so that people can move around unless you plan on having a formal sit-down meal. Simplicity is key; foods that require too much preparation add unneeded stress on you and take away from time you’ll want to spend with your friends. Also be sure to make dishes that would be appropriate for a large crowd who may have diverse diet restrictions. If you need to enlist help, don’t hesitate to delegate duties to some additional friends ahead of time. You’re not in this alone!
Do have fun and be creative in choosing decorations, games, and activities—but don't go overboard. Make sure the highlight of the event is still the opening of the presents.
5. Take Notes for Presents & Thank-You Cards
Lastly, as the presents are being opened, make sure that you or someone else is taking notes on who gave what gifts to make thank-you notes easier for the mother-to-be! Remember, while a little planning is good, don’t forget to have fun.
Plan a Beautiful Baby Shower with Help from EventUp
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Have you been to a baby shower recently? Did you come across any excellent dishes? Baby shower themes and games? or even gifts? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
