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  4. A Book-Themed Baby Shower Full of Inspiration

A Book-Themed Baby Shower Full of Inspiration

Updated January 29, 2020
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Credit: Tara Donne
Party throwers showered the mom-to-be with some of her favorite childhood stories in this inspiration-filled party.
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Credit: Tara Donne

By the time of her baby shower, Elizabeth Colling had already received practical presents–burp cloths, onesies, and such–from her family and friends in California. So, to stand out amongst the sea of gifts and festivities, her friends in her current home of New York decided to throw her a baby shower all about children's books, a nod to Elizabeth's enduring love of literature.

Instead of focusing on one singular author, like Dr. Seuss, or a particular tale, like Beauty and the Beast, the soirée celebrated the love of the written word and the creation of stories. Focusing on books partygoers had loved when they were kids themselves, the party's theme was born.

One sunny Saturday in June, Elizabeth and her husband Stephane gathered together in a Brooklyn brownstone with their loved ones. Artfully decorated in the mom-to-be's favorite colors of pink and gray, the group shared advice on parenting while enjoying an array of tasty treats. The menu incorporated some of the expecting mother's favorite flavors—rose and jasmine. Decorated in shimmering-yet-simple materials—ink and paper—the space came alive as guests' imaginations ran wild.

The menu, displayed on the spines of favorite children's books wrapped in colorful paper, highlighted a variety of Elizabeth's culinary preferences—with a storybook twist. From Jack and Jill Iced Jasmine Tea to Sugar-and-Spice Layer Cake with Flying Banners, guests were guaranteed to find a delectable option. Here, take a look at a literature-lover's dream baby shower and find out how to plan your own wow-worthy bash to celebrate new life.

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Chic Literature-Inspired Invites

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Credit: Tara Donne

Invitations came with a bookmark and a bookplate—the latter was to be put into a book for the baby and mother to cherish for years to come. Artist Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. created the stationery from her own hand-painted illustrations.

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Bookish Buffet Table

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The buffet table was decorated with a curated selection of cherished children's books. The theme continued with a select menu with dish names featuring nods to the mother-to-be's favorite characters.

  • Brunch-Themed Baby Shower Recipes

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Colorful Paper Straw Garlands

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Color coordinated straw adorned garlands added to the baby shower theme and hung brightly over the drinks table. This craft is a fun activity for kids as well as for the friends of the expecting mother. Create the decoration using nylon twine and straws.

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Storybook Menu

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The spines of paper-covered books listed the Mother Goose-themed menu that was as charming as it was tasty.

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The Mother Goose-Themed Menu

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Perfect for teatime, the savory-sweet menu included "Goldilox" Tea Sandwiches, Mary Quite Contrary Garden Salad, Peter Piper Pickled Prawns, Little Boy Blueberry Scones, and Miss Muffet's Lemon Curd.

  • These Are the Best Baby Shower Themes

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"Goldilox" Tea Sandwiches

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Credit: Tara Donne
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Skewers in moon-shaped "Goldilox" (smoked salmon) sandwiches are topped with stars cut from old book pages and glued together.

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Humpty Dumpty Custard Cups

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Crisped prosciutto tops a savory custard cup that guests won't be able to resist.

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Happily Ever After

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The self-serve bar is filled with a "pail" of Jack and Jill Iced Jasmine Tea and mellow Hush-a-Bye Bellinis.

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Baker's Man Brownies

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Bake a batch of these rich chocolate brownies as fast as you can. These velvety treats are charming in cupcake liner.

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Ring Around the Rose-Petal Fools

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Sugared rose petals garnish ethereal Ring Around the Rose Petal Fools floating on clouds (doilies folded in half ).

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Sugar-and-Spice Layer Cake with Flying Banners

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Banners fly from the mascarpone-frosted peaks of a towering Sugar-and-Spice Layer Cake.

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Little Lamb Cookies

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Elizabeth made little lamb cookies as thank-yous for her guests to shepherd safely home.

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    1 of 13
    2 of 13 Chic Literature-Inspired Invites
    3 of 13 Bookish Buffet Table
    4 of 13 Colorful Paper Straw Garlands
    5 of 13 Storybook Menu
    6 of 13 The Mother Goose-Themed Menu
    7 of 13 "Goldilox" Tea Sandwiches
    8 of 13 Humpty Dumpty Custard Cups
    9 of 13 Happily Ever After
    10 of 13 Baker's Man Brownies
    11 of 13 Ring Around the Rose-Petal Fools
    12 of 13 Sugar-and-Spice Layer Cake with Flying Banners
    13 of 13 Little Lamb Cookies

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