Baby shower planning. There are a million different themes, color palettes, and menu items all at your disposal. But why is it when Baby’s gender is a surprise, the theme always ends up being yellow & green? Here are a few unique themes to push past the standard fare.
ABC. It’s easy as 1-2-3 (how can you not have the Jackson Five song come to mind?!). Showcasing the alphabet is a sweet gender neutral theme that’s easy to do creatively and on the cheap. Purchase alphabet flashcards in the Target dollar bin (or at a dollar store) and string them on a clothesline as a simple centerpiece. Ask guests to bring one specific letter of the alphabet and enjoy seeing everyone’s unique spin on the task when they present their letters at the shower (letters can be made out of chipboard, cardboard, cardstock, or could be embroidered, printed, etched and framed). All 26 letters will be an added bonus that the mother-to-be can use as nursery wall decor.
A “Babee” Shower. What could be more delectable than a party that centers around bees and honey? A vase full of fresh flowers and a yellow food & drink theme keep this party theme light and springy. Honeycomb cereal and Bit o’ Honey candies lend themselves to be natural snacks of choice. And why not pamper the guest of honor with a gift basket full of Burt’s Bees lotions and chapsticks?
Book Theme. It’s long been proven that one of the best thing you can do with your child is read to them. Why not get a jumpstart on building Baby’s library with a book themed shower? Each table can be themed around a classic children’s book (think Dr. Suess, Clifford, Amelia Bedelia and so forth). Ask guests to bring a favorite children’s book and inscribe a note on the inside jacket in place of a card.
Cute as a Button. Mason jars full of old buttons make for a sweet topper. Why not play a simple game of “Guess How Many?” and see who is closest to accurately predicting how many buttons are in a large vase or jar? String buttons on twine to make a garland to grace the buffet and gift tables or use a hole punch to make homemade paper buttons for additional decor.
Showers of Blessing. Rain rain go away, come again another day...unless you’re this party theme! Rain clouds, raindrops, rainboots, and umbrellas make a welcome decor idea. Provide candies such as lemon drops and gum drops to capitalize on the witty pun and bless the mama to be in a “shower” of encouragement! Need a little background music? Look for an instrumental album with nature sounds (including flowing water and rain)!
Lullaby/Nursery Rhyme. Let standard rhymes of childhood take center stage with a lullaby or nursery rhyme theme. The cow jumping over the moon , Little Bo Peep, and Jack & Jill and their pail of water all make quaint decor ideas. For party games, why not play a game of fill in the blank nursery rhymes (provide popular ones with one missing word) or play small excerpts of an instrumental lullaby CD to see who can list the most titles!
Ready to Pop! An apt expression for how many a mama feels by her third trimester also makes a great theme for a baby shower. Make sure to have lots of popcorn, ring pops, and cake pops on hand!
Little Sprout. Host a garden party in honor of the little “bean’s” soon-to-be arrival. Simple terra cotta pots filled with herbs make a lovely centerpiece while infusing the table with a wonderful fragrance.