Baby Shower Themes

Baby Shower
Themes

While the traditional baby shower is more conservative, today you will discover that just about anything goes. These are just a few suggestions to consider but remember that the key to any baby shower, regardless of the theme is to create an environment of celebration and a lasting memory for the parents-to-be.

Having a theme to your party ties everything together and gives guidance to how you decorate your party - plus it's fun! Basically, you need something that is repetative and creates a feeling of continuity. Here are some ideas:

GIRL'S ONLY SHOWERS
Although coed and full family showers are highly popular, no one says you cannot have a "girl's only" shower. This type of baby shower can be a stand-alone occasion or hosted in addition to a traditional shower. Ideal circumstances for a girl's only shower would be if the mother is single, widowed, divorced, the husband is in the military, and so on.

Again, you can use your imagination and come up with a number of good options but something such as brunch, afternoon tea, a quaint sit down dinner, or even having the shower at a sister or close friend's house are perfect.

COED SHOWERS
Of all types of baby showers, this is the most popular since it includes the baby's father and even close male family members and friends. Too often, the father feels left out as it is. Therefore, this option creates a wonderful way to bring him into the pregnancy and birth. Great ideas include an outdoor barbecue, pool party, casual buffet, or some other casual setting.

FAMILY ONLY SHOWERS
Just as with the girl's only shower, the family only could be the only shower hosted or an additional shower to a more elaborate event. With this, you would invite not just the immediate family but grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, everyone. Similar to a family reunion, this is a wonderful way to bring the entire family together. Something like a large potluck supper, outdoor barbecue, or picnic in the park would be ideal.

BEFORE OR AFTER SHOWERS
Some couples prefer to have the baby shower before the birth and some after. Both have advantages so the decision is generally based on what the expectant parents prefer. With the before shower, the expectant couple has something to see them through the final weeks and days before the baby's birth.

The downside is that as the birth becomes closer, the mother is often tired. Therefore, the decision for a shower prior to birth will depend on the mother. If she physically feels fine, then this option is good but if she is becoming tired and possibly dealing with excessive swelling, trying to entertain guests may not be something she wants to deal with.

The after birth shower is often more enjoyable for both the expectant parents and the guests. With this type of shower, the new parents have had an opportunity to rest and heal from the birth. However, this type of shower also means the new baby can be brought to the shower for everyone to "ooh" and "aah" over.

Just remember that newborn babies are susceptible to colds and germs so the shower should not be held until the baby is at least two months old and then, you will need to make sure people invited come healthy.

OPEN SHOWERS
This type of shower is one often held after the baby has been christened or baptized. Typically, the open baby shower would be announced in the Sunday bulletin at church whereby a potluck lunch would be organized. After church, the new parents would gather in a designated area and mingle with other members of the congregation as they rejoice in the birth of their child.

OFFICE SHOWERS
Many times when there is an expectant mother at work, one of the close co-workers will offer to host an in-office baby shower. For this, close friends and other members of the expectant mother's department would be invited. In many cases, the father would also be invited. Foods such as pizza, barbecue, or deli sandwiches are perfect!

Nursery Colors:
Use colors from the nursery for your theme. This option gives the flexibility to use any type of tableware, napkins, decorations for the party. Because of this, it is the least expensive route. You don't need to buy decorations all in the same patterns.

Nursery Theme:
Similar to the nursery colors, but this one uses the actual theme of the nursery. "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon", "Noah's Ark", are examples. Ask the mom-to-be what she plans for her nursery decor and go from there. If her decor is lace and cream, then keep to that same look and feel for the party, decorating with that color and pattern.

Around the Clock:
This theme focuses on the gifts that are brought by the guests. In the invitation, assign a guest to bring a gift that baby or mom would use at a certain time of the day (ex: assign 1:00 naptime - the guest might bring a blanket or something to do with naptime). This is a fun way for guests to shop for the mom-to-be and always fun at the opening of the gifts. Hint: have the guest place the time assigned to her on the gift card or on the gift.

Build Baby's Library:
Ask that all gifts are books for the baby. Let guests know this in the invitation. Possibly ask them to bring their favorite childhood book and sign it inside as a keepsake. Great for second baby showers! Also, a fun party to plan - invitations in the shape of a book and bookmarks for the party favors! Get creative!

Noah's Ark:
Great for twins! Make a Noah's Ark cake! Check your local bakeries to see if they will make one for you, or if you can bake cakes, try to do it yourself. If your party is large, then place sets of stuffed animals on each table next to or weighting down some balloons. Buy two for each table. So, one table would be the giraffe table (with two giraffes), one could be the elephant table, etc... If it is a rather large party and you will be having assigned seating, then this could even be more fun. On the seating cards, instead of numbers write the animal table that they are assigned to. A great ice breaker!

Pamper Mom:
Great for moms-to-be having their second, third, fourth, etc..baby. After months of pregnancy and taking care of the older kids, she deserves some pampering and a fun time with "the girls"! Create a day-spa theme. Ask guests to bring lotions, chocolates, gift certificates to a spa, etc..as gifts for mom. You could even hold a "spa-session" in your home for guests - bring in a masseuse to massage guests shoulders, a manicurist to shape their nails, or even a make-up consultant for fun. Play nature music in the background and some soothing fragrances in the air. The mom-to-be will be able relax with the gals and the guests will have a great time. Definitely a mommy shower to remember. Please keep in mind your guests and their comfort level in attending a "spa-party".

Baby Safety Shower:
You've prepared everything for the baby's arrival. The nursery is ready, you've taken your childbirth classes, diapers are stocked, but are you informed enough on how to keep your baby safe in your home? Mommies and mommies-to-be: gather together friends with children and other expectant parents and throw a "baby safety shower". It could be one of the most important parties you attend. For more information on this type of party, please visit cpsc.gov

A "Sprinkle":
Sprinkles are perfect for second baby showers. Instead of "showering" you with the large baby items needed for the first child, your guests can "sprinkle" the little things that need replenished. Such as: diapers, baby wipes, bottles, baby shampoo and lotions, diaper cream, pacifiers, baby socks (they always seem to get lost in the dryer) and countless other necessities. A nice way to gather together and celebrate the second pregnancy. ****Also good for grandmothers-to-be.

Time of Day Shower:
Each guest is to bring a gift corresponding to a specific "time" in baby's day, for example, waking up time, bath time, mealtime, play time, bedtime, etc.

Basket Shower:
Each guest has a theme for her gift basket. It's fun to see what everybody comes up with, and of course the basket should be part of the gift! (Guests could use baby bathtubs, toy bins, or even little laundry hampers for baskets -- be creative!) Some ideas for themes include meal/nursing basket, a nursery basket, bath basket, diaper basket, and toy basket. We're sure you can come up with even more!

Shower for Mom:
This is a great idea if mom already has a lot of baby gear -- perhaps if this is not her first child. Guests can offer gift certificates for babysitting, meals, housecleaning, manicures, or dinner out to a restaurant! Other gift ideas include some new pajamas, candles, bath products, etc.

Memories Shower:
You can do many variations for this shower. In addition to the more traditional gifts, guests can create something for baby that is dated from the year he/she is born. Each guest can create a scrapbook page (or two) or small booklet for baby. These can include photos, comments (where the guests live, hobbies, current events, etc.), newspaper clippings -- you name it! Guests can also bring things to create a time capsule for baby. Best to leave some space in the capsule so a few things can be added after the child is born (a newspaper from the date of birth, for example). These gifts are sure to be treasured in years to come!

Another fun idea for a memories shower is for each guest to bring a baby photo of herself. Spread them out and see if everybody can guess who's who!

Baby's Firsts:
Guests bring gifts to celebrate first times in baby's life -- bath products for baby's first bath at home, dinnerware for baby's first attempt at solids, shoes for baby's first steps, or a gift certificate for baby's first studio photographs.

Nursery Shower:
This shower can really be fun if the parents are planning a theme for baby's nursery (Disney characters, bears, Noah's Ark). Guests bring gifts corresponding to the theme.

Couples Shower:
For the most part, guys likely will not be as interested in playing traditional "shower" games and eating cutsie foods while ooohing and aaahing over a mom-to-be's tummy! However, a shower can be a special event for expecting dads as well as moms if they're done with women and men in mind; and why shouldn't the dad-to-be get some of the attention and share in the gift opening and fun?

If the party is not a surprise, be sure to check with the mom-to-be as to whether the dad (and his friends) would enjoy a baby celebration. If she agrees, go from there. If you are including games at your shower, be sure to make them "men friendly." And have plenty of food available for your male guests. It would be a nice touch to include gifts that are special for the new dad -- a book on fathers and children, an "I love my daddy" bib for the baby, or maybe a frame Dad can take to the office to display a new picture of his baby!

Diapy Wipey:
This is an especially good shower idea for moms who already have a child or two. They may not need a lot of things but they will need diapers and wipes. Guests bring diapers and wipes as gifts - you may want to assign a size to the invitees so the parents get a variety of sizes. You can also pick a brand or let the guest choose.

Diapers and Dinner:
You can ask guests to bring diapers and a frozen casserole. Ask that instructions be included with the casserole so mom or dad know how to reheat it after the baby is born.

Room-to-Room:
Assign guests with different rooms and ask that their gifts reflect the room they were given.

Lullaby (bedtime) or Rubber Ducky (bath time) Shower
Guests can bring gifts to use at bath or bed time.

Play time Shower:
Ask guests to bring toys as gifts. Your gift could be a toy box or wagon and you could use that to place the gifts in.

Grandma's Shower:
If the mother lives far away from friends and family you can give grandma a shower. Bring all the gifts in paper bags so everyone can see the gifts. Then together everyone can wrap them up for grandma to take when she goes to see the new arrival. Take lots of pictures to share with mom.

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