Calling all book lovers! Book clubs are a trending topic among group chats, and as a bibliophile, I completely understand why. Plus, from personal experience, having or hosting one is a great way to secure a girls’ night these days. Whether you love listening to audiobooks or flipping through the pages of a physical novel, book clubs bring people together. And if you’re expecting or know someone due with a little one soon, I have an idea that’s definitely worth throwing out there if you need ideas for a baby shower—a book club-themed baby shower!
Throwing a ‘Baby’s First Book Club’ is the perfect (and cutest) way to welcome the newest member to the club. So, gather your friends, and share the love for books while celebrating the mom-to-be and the cutest little book lover coming soon! Keep reading for inspo on invitations, decor, food, games, and more for this adorable shower theme.
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A Book Club-Inspired Baby Shower
This gender-neutral baby shower theme is a take on the beloved book-themed baby shower, where decor is usually focused on nursery rhymes and children’s classics. However, a book club-themed baby shower allows you to embrace the love for all books across all genres and isn’t limited to books for babies and toddlers. Although it’s important to note that you can still tailor this theme to the children’s books we grew up reading!
‘Baby’s First Book Club’ Shower Invitations
Get guests excited for this precious theme by sending out book club-inspired invitations. Word the invitation as if it’s “a new chapter” for the expecting mom, or state it’s “Baby’s First Book Club” on the invite. Discuss with the mom-to-be whether sending out a physical invitation or an Evite is best.
‘Baby’s First Book Club’ Decor Inspo
You can’t have a book club-themed baby shower without hints of books throughout the room. Take excerpts or pages from the most beloved storybooks and novels, and make them into a table runner, banner, or bouquets for the most adorable decorations. Better yet, consider hosting a book club baby shower at a local bookstore.
Food and Drink Ideas
There are a few angles to take with a book club-themed baby shower when it comes to food, and I have to say, all of these options are cute. Decide what direction you want to go in, whether it’s finding inspo from favorite novels, storybooks, or leaning into picks from a local coffee shop. Regardless of what kind of eats you choose to serve, you definitely can’t go wrong with your decision.
Make literary-inspired recipes
A fun way to carry on the theme is to make recipes influenced by classic storybooks and novels. Choose a recipe that pairs with each book club book and display it next to each dish. For example, if your mom-to-be has a favorite beach read, choose seaside bites like lobster rolls and fresh fruit.
Serve coffeeshop delectables
Cozy coffee shops are one of the best places to sit down with a book. So what better way to give a coffee shop atmosphere than by serving coffee and pastries at a book club baby shower?
Have snack-sized bites and appetizers
Serve snack-sized bites, like tea sandwiches, crudités, dips, and desserts (like these book-themed cookies!) Having a variety of appetizers with a selection of drink options will keep guests happy.
Book Club Baby Shower Games and Activities
Play a baby name game based on literary characters
Whether the mom-to-be has solidified a baby name or not, playing a baby name game that fits with the theme can be a fun activity for all. Have everyone write down two to three beloved book character names on separate pieces of paper, toss them into a bowl, and then draw them in pairs to come up with first name and middle name combos. Who knows? The best baby name just might be born through this fun workshop session!
Book suggestions and reviews for the mom-to-be
For expecting moms who love to read, late-night hours spent with a baby are sometimes easier with a book to read. Have guests jot down a must-read book on a book review card, so she can easily decide if she wants to add it to her late-night TBR list.
Have a ‘make your own bookmark’ station
Set up a station with all the materials to make a darling bookmark. Make a bookmark out of pressed flowers, Polaroid pictures, and other materials. It’s the perfect craft activity that shower guests can take home, too.
Give parenting advice on a library card
Getting advice from seasoned moms can be so helpful for new moms. Have guests jot down baby advice on a themed library card to give the expecting mom a ‘library’ of advice or encouragement.
Book Club Baby Shower Favors
Don’t forget to thank your guests with a baby shower memento. These adorable book club-themed gifts and favors are the perfect send-offs.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
Images in feature graphics linked in the article and credited to: @geminijoyevents | Instagram, Savage Sweets MD | Etsy, Honey Wild Paperie | Etsy, Caitlin Whilhelm | Etsy, Precious Chapters | Etsy, and Hudson Co Creative | Etsy.
