Need an idea for a creative baby shower theme? These new baby shower trends show that cute doesn’t mean that it can’t be cool, too.
When it comes to baby showers, you fall into one of two camps: either you love a good cheesy baby shower – complete with gross baby games with dirty diapers and ahhhing over breast pumps – OR – you love celebrating your friends upcoming bundle of joy, but cringe at the thought of measuring bellies, tasting unlabeled baby food, or drinking your punch from a baby bottle.
I bet you know which one I fall into.
Thankfully, the idea of baby showers has grown up a little bit. And with it doesn’t mean you aren’t still doing something special for the mama (or daddy) to be, but doing it a way that’s more practical, fitting to the honoree or just more fun to attend for the rest of us.
1) Gender Neutral Shower: Book Building Party
Inspired by the Big O (by that I mean Oprah), the idea of this shower is much more progressive as it’s based on building a strong foundation of reading and building a library for the child that can grow with them in their childhood. Using simple decorations literally from the pages of favorite children’s books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Tales of Peter Rabbit, you can find low-cost books at garage sales and places like Half-Price Books. Food and drinks are also based on books themes is ideal for this gender neutral shower (think Goodnight Moon paired with Moon Pies.). Guests can be asked to contribute by bringing a book for the gift, adding a note on the invitation that books are requested instead of cards, and then escribing a special wish or motivational note inside the book from the giftee.
2) Sip and See: Milk and Cookies
Taking another idea from the TV, most notable Phaedra from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, a Sip and See is the perfect way to have everyone meet the baby at one time when the mama is ready. It’s a win-win since the mama gets to have enough time to look and feel her best after the baby is born. And since the guests don’t have to schedule or slot in a time, they just come by to meet the little one, give some hugs and kisses, and be on their merry little way. A Sip and See is less a party and more of a come-and-go affair, there’s less work to put it together (in theory.) For this Sip and See, we had each hostess bring a dozen cookies and offered several different milk options using retro milk bottles for an attractive, no maintenance table setting ideal for guests coming and going for several hours.
3) Couples Shower: BabyQ
One of my favorite new trends for baby showers is the couple’s shower. Why should only the mama take part in the festivities?
For a successful couple’s shower, you want a theme that is suitable for both men and women to celebrate without cringing. The BabyQ is a unique idea that combines the idea of a friendly backyard barbecue with friends with a nod to the fact that there will be a baby coming soon. Small, but thoughtful details for the food, drink and décor are what make this Couples Shower memorable. Think Baby Back Ribs, Mini-Me Sliders and having Dad’s Root Beer. For favors: We shared a set of s’mores as guests left to tie it all together with “Take S’more Love Home with You.” A takehome bottle of BBQ sauce with DIY chalk labels are also a great take home with a personalized, rustic look.
And don’t forget:
4) Sprinkle: For the Next Shower
It’s exactly what it sounds like – a smaller version of a shower for those mamas that are on baby #3 (4, 5, etc.) and just need something like diapers or an update of onesies or shoes. You can make it what you want, but a sprinkle is more about the thought that counts than the show you’re trying to create.
5) Gender Reveal Party
The Gender Reveal Party has fast become almost if not more important than the traditional baby shower. A fun way to celebrate the identity of the gender of the baby, the idea has grown from a simple idea like opening an envelope in front of friends to a formal cutting of the cake with everyone that came to the wedding reception. This one will continue to grow into a bigger tradition – especially as we continue to find new reasons to order a cake and send out an invite.
Looking for more unique baby shower ideas? Check out my Pinterest Board:
Follow mamachallenge.com’s board Cool Baby Shower Ideas on Pinterest.
And don’t miss BLOOM, April 30 for a half-day of fun, education, networking, and giveaways!
I’ve been looking for some baby shower ideas. We have a shower coming up in June. Thanks!
My sister-in-law when she was pregnant had a baby shower and all she wanted was books. I didn’t realize it was that popular to do it.
I really like the idea of everyone bringing a book for the baby. Something so special that they can treasure for a long time.
I love throwing a party and these ideas are so fun! I had a book shower with my first and it was just the best!
These are such fun ideas! I always loved those old-school shower games, but once you’ve done them 5 times, it’s fun to move onto something new. I’ll have to share these with my mommy-to-be friends. 🙂
I love baby showers!! I have never seen the book shower before what a fun idea!!
Fantastic ideas! I’ve actually had a friend attend a book-building one and I thought it was brilliant. You can never start a library too early!
These are some really good ideas! My girlfriend is having a party in a couple weeks and I’m sure she’ll love some of these ideas! Especially the baby reveal party!
I love the idea of a book building party. It teaches kids to use their imagination more and they’ll build a love of reading.
These are all such wonderful ideas. One of my friends is pregnant with her second child. I’m hoping that she is going to be having a baby shower. These will be some great ideas for her shower.
A BabyQ is a fantastic idea for couples. I like it when the men join the shower. Everyone love BBQ i am sure it would be a big hit.
These are great baby shower trends. I like the BabyQ idea. A gender neutral shower seems to be popular now,
This is so cool. I love books plus and i love cute babies. Again, this is really cool and i like it.
I know a lot of people who have been having gender reveal parties and baby showers, so they get to have 2 parties for the babies. I barely had one shower when my kids were little!
I love the idea of having a sprinkle! Moms definitely do need a few things even when they’ve been through mommin’ before.
I love book building parties! Reading is so important, and books are expensive! Every first time parent should do a book building party to set their child off right.