From the moment you discover you’re pregnant or that a baby is on the way to your home, you likely begin dreaming about all the memorable events that will take place throughout the journey — one of the most highly anticipated being a baby shower. It's the one day where you gather with family and friends to celebrate your new baby joining the crew soon.
Every baby shower is special in its own way, but if you really want to make yours stand out, here are seven things you should consider incorporating in your shower.
Take the Celebration Outside
Having an outside baby shower isn’t just a health-friendly idea, it’s also a great way to veer from the normal.
Renting a tent and using a roomy, outdoor space is a surefire way to host a shower with a comfortable and chic atmosphere.
It makes the prep and cleanup as easy as 1-2-3, with companies often providing setup and break-down, which means less work for you and more time to celebrate! If you want to go the extra mile for an easy setup, have the party catered.
Don’t want to rent a tent? A picnic-themed shower makes for a great spring soiree during the warmer months.
One other bonus to hosting an outdoor shower is the potential for games. By hosting the party outside, the opportunity for games just got more exciting! Guests can participate in a relay race while pushing a stroller or have a blast with a baby-themed water balloon toss.
Ramp Up the Decor
The decor is an important factor in planning your baby shower because it sets the mood for the entire event.
Using baby photos of the expectant parents throughout the setup is a nice way to celebrate them! Feature the photos on centerpieces or hang them around the room using strings and clothespins to create a garland.
A backdrop is another elegant touch that provides the perfect area for photo opps. Backdrops can also be used behind food tables and other main attractions to create a nice aesthetic.
And what’s a shower without flowers? Adding beautiful bouquets to the decor gives the party a pop of color! Use the parent-to-be’s favorite flower for a sweet touch.
Get Creative With Your Drinks
Nonalcoholic cocktails are a must at baby showers! "Mom-osa" bars are a big hit and include fun mocktails such as pineapple juice and pink lemonade or pink sherbet punch.
You can also come up with mocktail recipes and name them around the baby shower theme.
Another tip to make drink-themed games fun is to ditch the boring old cups. Use baby bottles instead! But don’t forget straws — just in case your guests prefer not to drink from the bottle top.
Bring All the Delicious Food
Food options at a baby shower are endless! Here are several unique themed food ideas:
- High Tea: For a tea-themed party, posh finger sandwiches and scones make great go-to recipes. Once the main meal is done, serve up some pastries and mini cakes.
- Brunch Bar: Brunch is a popular theme for baby showers. And while the well-known mimosa won’t be the star of this show, you can repurpose your bar cart as a table to hold delectable sweet brunch treats!
- Popcorn Bar: The mom-to-be is “ready to pop”! The popcorn bar is a trendy and cute way to celebrate that. Provide different toppings to make the most of this delightful treat!
- Potluck of Love: Homemade food is a sign of love and appreciation. Have each guest bring a dish of their own to celebrate the soon-to-be mama!
- Food Truck: Remember that outdoor shower we recommended? Hiring a food truck is a great way to really drive that theme home.
Indulge in Your Sweet Tooth
Desserts are always a favorite, especially when the mom-to-be has a sweet tooth!
These are some desserts that are bound to be a hit at your baby shower:
- Ice Cream Social: Who needs cake? Have an ice cream bar instead! If you’re looking to go beyond the basic sundae bar, opt for a milkshake or banana split station to keep the cold treats unique.
- Sweets Buffet: Have a wide variety of sweet treats to choose from. Cupcakes, macarons, doughnuts, and cake pops are just a few of the colorful desserts you can feature. Pink and blue chocolate-covered strawberries can be fun, too! Sugar, anyone?
- A Naked Cake: Naked cakes are an up-and-coming staple for celebrations such as weddings and showers. With a glam-rustic look, these cakes have more filling inside and less icing outside. Perfect for a boho baby shower — plus they’re so beautiful they can double as decor!
Give Party Favors to Your Guests
Baby shower favors should be sweet — and functional!
A few favors that guests will love and use include bottles of hand sanitizer, baby succulents, seed packets, mini champagne bottles, custom cookies or macarons, and sugar scrubs.
Want to skip favors altogether? Donating to a charity in place of them is always a compassionate option!
Consider Adding a Special Touch
As the mom-to-be, you will always remember your baby shower. Special touches will ensure it stays near and dear to her heart forever.
Ask guests to give their favorite children’s book in place of a card. Have them write a short and sweet note to the baby on the inside of the cover. These keepsakes will remind you of the people who were present to celebrate your new baby every time you read to your little one!
Another sweet keepsake is a baby journal. Put a blank notebook or journal out for guests to write their best parenting advice, words of inspiration, and positive encouragement. You can look back on this journal after your baby is born and use it as a reminder of how loved your little bundle of joy is!
For a splash of nostalgia, play “Guess the Baby.” Ask each guest to bring a baby picture of themselves to the shower. Throughout the day, have everyone guess who is who.
