This book themed baby shower is full of sweet DIY details. I hope you enjoy them!
Baby showers are a special occasion. Baby shower honoring family? EXTRA special. Here's a look at the book themed baby shower I recently hosted to help celebrate the arrival of a new baby niece; she'll be here soon and we are over the moon about it!
Details For This Book Themed Baby Shower
- Invitations that included an old library card
- A DIY book backdrop made from old damaged books
- Bookmarks as party favors for guests
- A little section where guests brought a special book for baby
- Vintage books used in centerpieces
- Vintage book pages used as a table runner
The book theme just sort of happened. The mom-to-be loves reading and knew she wanted to incorporate children's books into the shower somehow. I know her personal style of romantic with a touch of vintage and just put it all together. Baby Love Story was born.
The invitation envelope was lined with an old book page and I included an old fashioned library book card inviting guests to bring a book to gift to baby. There are so many books to give for a baby shower, here are some favorites.
Good Books for Baby Shower
- The Wonderful Things You Will Be
- If Animals Kissed Goodnight
- Welcome to The World
- I Love You to The Moon and Back
The venue was magical. I recently discovered this great picnic spot and turns out they put on one fabulous event too. From the setting, to the food, to the service, I couldn't have been more pleased.
If you're looking for a place local to you to host an event, I would encourage you to think out of the box like I did. This was the first event the nursery had hosted but it turned out perfectly.
The rows of reclaimed wood farm tables set the stage for a wonderful place to serve guests lunch.
The lush greenery lent itself nicely to this outdoor shower. Here, a canvas print (inspired by the invitation) serves as decor and was sent home it mom to be used in the baby's room.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a sneak peek at the flowers and centerpieces. They were just perfect. I created them myself using flowers from our local farmers' market and wood flower boxes.
The table runners were easy to make using old book pages (did you know you can buy bundles of these on Amazon?) I ripped them out of old books (gathered at garage sales and book stores who get damaged donations) using glue dots so they would stay in place.
Fresh peaches added a brilliant pop of coral color to each centerpiece.
For favors, guests had a bookmark at their seat. Wooden bookmarks printed with the watercolor coral heart from the invitations. You could use a stamp or a sticker to add any decor element you want! You could even stamp or draw on guests names to make them more personal or use as a seating place card.
This small baby shower book display was one of my favorite details. Each guest brought a favorite children's book for baby and we displayed hem in wooden crates to make a mini bookshelf.
The dessert buffet was a focal point of the baby shower. The backdrop was made using old book pages and the buffet was the perfect way to display desserts for guests to enjoy.
A closer look at the sweets which included mini cheesecakes in glass baby food jars.
Desserts were served while mom-to-be opened gifts.
While opening gifts, mom sat comfortably in this pretty vintage upholstered chair.
I hope this book themed baby shower inspires your next event. The details would also work nicely for a book themed wedding or anniversary party using the "love story" theme Happy planning!
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April says
How did you get the books to stay open on the backdrop? I saw that you stapled them but what trick did you use to help the pages stay open and not floppy?
Tori says
I stapled them open with a staple gun.
Courtney says
Do you happen to remember what you wrote on the library card?
Brittany Lewis says
Where did you make the invitations. I love the font. I'm trying to mimic your creations for my own baby shower if you don't mind. How you incorporated those hearts, for the canvas and center pieces. Where can I find it.
Meghan says
Love this!
Where did you get the invitations?
HostessTori says
Hi Meghan, I made them :)
Brittany Michelle says
Gorgeous! How did you get the backdrop to stand straight up, did you drill it to the dresser?
Tori says
No I didn't. I leaned them up against big cement planters that were at the venue. Hope that helps!
Danica says
So beautiful!! Where did you get the wooden bookmarks?
Tori says
Hi Danica, I ordered them from this site: https://www.cardsofwood.com/ But there are a lot of options on Etsy too!
Danica says
Thanks so much!!
Wendy says
Wooden base from center pieces? Oh my....so in love !😩❤️
Tori says
Hi Wendy! They are from Saveoncrafts.com!
Emma says
Beautiful!! Where did you get the canvas and bookmarks from?!
Tori says
Hi Emma, ordered them from this site: https://www.cardsofwood.com/ But there are a lot of options on Etsy, too!
Julia says
Absolutely love this! are you available for hire? I'm in Texas and throwing my sisters Shower there in SoCal!
Olga says
Can you share how you did book background? how was it attached
Tori says
Hi Olga! I stapled the books to a piece of plywood using a staple gun. (shhhh don't tell the librarian).
Aleah and Nick says
Totally adorable!
Carrie Harris says
This is absolutely stunning. I'd want to go to this party and never, ever leave!
Ariel Nathan says
This party is absolutely breathtaking! From the book page center piece to the color palette - every picture was eye candy! Love what you do and can't wait to follow along!
XO,
Ariel
Nichole says
What a gorgeous shower! My sister is due very soon with a girl, and we threw a book themed tea party. I had just closed on a house the week before and was a bit of a mad person, and so we opted for a more simple party at a tea room. Now, I wish I had gone all out; this shower is stunning!
momofagem says
Absolutely cute!
Kristin A. says
Tori! This is beautiful!! It's magical and those floral pieces are gorgeous! That venue turned out perfectly too. Amazing job. bravo!
Torrie says
Tori you are amazing at what you do.. I love it.
Courtney says
Everything was absolutely gorgeous......Magical day!
Thank you so much!
roni says
what a beautiful event. Like they say "its all in the detail" and you went beyond the details. The backdrop was to die for,, and those table runners,,, oh my,, the flowers, the venue,, all so perfect. Congrats to you, and to the future mom to be.
Kenna says
Gorgeous shower, what a lucky momma-to-be! (Almost made me want another baby so I could have another shower!) My favorite part is the open book backdrop- love the dimension it adds! So creative!
Tori says
Thank you Kenna! This backdrop could work for so many occasions (bridal shower, graduation party, book club, anniversary "love story")!
Rebecca says
can you tell me how you made the book backdrop?
Tori says
Rebecca, Don't tell your librarian but I gathered old/damaged books and ripped them in half (so they weren't as thick) and then just stapled them to a piece of wood.
Melissa says
Such a beautiful shower! Love the soft colors and the decor is fabulous!
Tori says
Melissa, inspired by the nursery! She's going to have one gorgeous room :)
Carmen says
Oh my! This is so gorgeous. I really love the unexpected color palette of peach & plum. Great job!
Tori says
Thanks Carmen!
Chris @ Celebrations At Home says
Tori, this is absolutely perfect! I love EVERY detail!
Tori says
Thank you Chris!