✕
☰

Styling the Perfect Baby Shower

by

Dessert tables at baby showers are incredibly popular, and for very good reason. They are pretty, easy to assemble, and the wide selection of desserts allows guests plenty of choices and the chance to try something new—not to mention helping the mom-to-be with those cravings!

The first step to designing a beautiful dessert is to select your theme and design your table around it. At this shower, a “little man” theme was chosen, so printables, desserts and embellishments with mustaches and bow ties were the focus.

The next step is to choose a beautiful backdrop to anchor your table and complement your theme. An old vintage window is an easy backdrop, because you can hang on it banners, wreaths or, in this case, paper rosettes and a large mustache to highlight the “little man.” Fabric, a nice shower curtain or tablecloth also can make a lovely backdrop when working with an imperfect setting. Get creative!

When it comes to the food, I always recommend picking out just a few designer elements, such as professionally decorated sugar cookies and cake, to serve alongside home-style desserts like brownies, miniature fruit pies or tarts, bakery cookies and classic cupcakes. A few professionally decorated sweets add a wow factor to your table, while the addition of homemade or home-style treats from the grocery store fill out the table and keep the budget in check.

Printables and embellishments are other elements that bring a dessert table to life. They add uniqueness and can be personalized with Mom’s and Baby’s names and due date, and reinforce the theme. With printable designs, a color printer, scissors and some tape, you can add a polished, professional look to your baby shower without blowing your budget.

There are two way to style a table: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical tables are often the easiest to style. Start by deciding on your centerpiece, such as a cake on a stand, and then build out from there, creating balance on each side with serving dishes, props and your desserts. Each side should mirror the other. Asymmetrical tables like the “little man” table I styled are actually my favorite way to set things up. It allows you to be a bit more free and creative, since you don’t have to be so precise and can sneak in fun props like the vintage scale I used to serve cookies. If you prefer to go with this approach, embrace imperfection.

Don't forget the entertainment! Baby shower games such as Name That 'Stache, Bingo, Don't Call Me Baby and guessing games fill the room with laughter, create memories and entertain guests. Also, setting up a small table where guests can fill out wishes for Baby and advice cards are perfect for memory boxes and even more laughs for the mom-to-be.

Finally, don’t forget to provide goody bags for your guests. They can be simple bags for taking home leftover cookies or something more detailed. Always a nice gesture, take-homes give your guests something by which to remember how sweet the day was.

Vendor Credits

Gretchen Brittain is a local stationery designer, party stylist and a mom to her three young children (monkeys), who are a constant source of inspiration. Visit her at www.ThreeLittleMonkeysStudio.com for all things party!

Back to topbutton