Planning the perfect baby shower for your BFF takes some planning and serious work. While you definitely won’t leave anything to chance, you might need to tiptoe carefully if she wants to keep the little one’s gender a secret — or wants to be surprised on baby’s arrival day. Whatever the circumstances, you can honor her wishes beautifully by planning an event centered around gender-neutral baby shower themes and colors. The more effort you put into the design process, the less focus there’s bound to be on the inevitable “what are you having?” questions. Here’s how to plan a day she’ll never forget!
Choose Gender-Neutral Colors
It’s inevitable that pink is associated with girls and blue with boys. These are largely social constructs that define the slew of baby items found in stores, and if either color is dominant at the baby shower, then odds are everyone will think they’ve stumbled upon the answer to “girl or boy?” You can avoid such circumstances by zeroing in on a few hues that are more neutral in tone. The right colors set the tone for the event, so it’s important to be very specific here! Some of the shades most commonly used in gender-neutral baby showers include yellow, gray, and green. You don’t have to limit yourself to one single color, though. After choosing a main hue, add a metallic complement, like gold or silver, to add a little glitz to the affair. If the mom-to-be loves all things bright and colorful, consider rainbow colors instead! This is a fun way to give the room a brilliant look.
Select a Gender-Neutral Theme
Gender-neutral baby shower themes can actually give you some guidance and direction if you’re feeling a little lost about how to proceed with your plans. Maybe you have a color in place but aren’t quite sure what to do next. Or you may not have a specific shade in mind just yet, but want to see what kind of theme is most appropriate. In this situation, take into account a few factors. Has mom expressed a wish for a specific theme? Is there something that she and her partner especially love, such as nature, travel, or art? By focusing on a personal element, you can ensure that the baby shower will be far more thoughtful and heartwarming.
Otherwise, focus on light and fun ideas. A bumblebee theme is always welcome — and you can easily find bee-themed invitations that celebrate the buzzy baby’s new arrival! You can also play on the gender-neutral concept by sending out adorable invites that make it clear that mom is taking a wait-and-see approach.
Safari and zoo themes are also popular, especially for parents who love animals or have pets. Welcome everyone to the festivities with a sweet “Welcome to the Jungle” banner, and send a colorful baby shower invitation that incorporates a variety of hues. Cookies shaped like giraffes and lions contribute to this fun concept.
Of course, you can never go wrong with a Disney-themed baby shower either! This is a thoughtful idea for the mama-to-be who loves all things Mickey and Minnie. A super-sweet invite featuring Winnie the Pooh is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces, as is one with Bambi and Thumper.
Choose Gender-Neutral Gifts
Don’t forget that gifts should err on the gender-neutral side too! If you’re not sure what to purchase, go straight to her registry for ideas. If there isn’t one, stock up on baby essentials — you can be sure that she will need an abundance of diapers, bottles, and wipes for the foreseeable future, and she’ll love you for keeping this in mind. Blankets and bibs in neutral colors or with cute patterns are also smart.
On the more playful side, think about those baby mementos that no little one should be without. There are many classic baby books, for example, that are worth adding to the library now. Even if the baby won’t be reading anytime soon, mom will appreciate the opportunity to line the shelf in the baby’s nursery with some fun choices for the future. Favorites include Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, and Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.
Enjoy the Festivities
After you’ve selected a gender-neutral baby shower theme, you’ll find that it all comes together pretty easily. Narrowing it down will help you choose the right decorations, food, and other elements that transform your party space into the ultimate celebration for the upcoming arrival!
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