Choosing a Baby Shower Theme

A theme isn't required, but it makes every other decision easier. When you know the vibe, decorations, food, and even games fall into place. Here's how to pick one that feels right — not forced.

Popular Themes That Actually Look Great

Garden Party

Fresh flowers, greenery, pastel colors. Best for spring/summer outdoor showers. Think white linens, herb centerpieces, lemon water in glass dispensers. Food: garden salads, tea sandwiches, a floral cake. This is the easiest theme to do well on a budget — nature does most of the work.

Woodland

Earthy tones — forest green, burnt orange, cream. Works year-round, especially fall. Mushroom decorations, wooden cake toppers, leaf garlands. Food: rustic charcuterie boards, apple cider, pumpkin muffins. Gender-neutral by default, which is a plus.

Celestial (Moon & Stars)

Navy, gold, and white. Dreamy and elegant. Gold star garlands, crescent moon backdrop, twinkle lights. Works beautifully for evening or indoor showers. Food: star-shaped cookies, galaxy-themed cake, midnight blue cocktails (or mocktails). This theme photographs incredibly well.

Tropical

Bright and joyful — monstera leaves, flamingos, hibiscus pinks and oranges. Perfect for summer. Food: tropical fruit platters, coconut cake, piña colada mocktails. Supplies are easy to find at any party store. Warning: can veer tacky fast, so keep it curated.

Storybook / "Once Upon a Time"

Stack vintage books as centerpieces, use literary quotes as signs, guests bring their favorite childhood book instead of a card. This is a meaningful theme that builds baby's first library. Food can be anything — the books are the star.

Minimalist / "Oh Baby"

White, cream, and one accent color (sage, dusty blue, or blush). Clean and modern. Works in any space. A simple "Oh Baby" gold banner, white balloons, and eucalyptus sprigs is genuinely all you need. The most Instagram-friendly option and the easiest to execute.

How to Pick Your Theme

Ask yourself these questions:

• What season? Tropical in December feels odd. Woodland in July feels heavy. Match the season.
• What venue? A backyard lends itself to garden or tropical. A cozy living room works for celestial or minimalist.
• What's the nursery theme? Matching the shower theme to the nursery creates a cohesive feel and means some decorations can do double duty.
• What's the parent's style? The shower should feel like them, not like a Pinterest board. A boho couple shouldn't have a formal tea party theme.
• Gender known? If not, lean toward neutral themes: woodland, minimalist, storybook, celestial.

Theme Elements Checklist

Once you pick a theme, extend it to:

• Colors: 2–3 colors max. Stick to them for everything.
• Invitations: Match the theme (Canva has free templates for all of these).
• Decorations: Backdrop, table settings, balloon colors, signage.
• Food: Shape, flavor, or presentation that matches (star cookies for celestial, tropical fruit for tropical).
• Games: Themed game cards or activities that fit the vibe.
• Favors: Small items that reinforce the theme (seed packets for garden, mini candles for celestial).

Where to Buy Themed Supplies

• Amazon: Best variety and price for bulk items (balloon kits, garlands, banners). Search "[theme] baby shower decorations."
• Etsy: Best for custom and unique items (personalized banners, cake toppers, printable game sets). Expect 1–2 week shipping.
• Target (Spritz line): Solid basics — solid-color plates, napkins, tablecloths in the right colors.
• Dollar Tree: Surprisingly good for vases, candle holders, and filler decor. Don't sleep on it.
• Trader Joe's / grocery store: Flowers. Always flowers from here.