5 Gender Neutral Baby Shower Themes

Whether you’re a proud parent-to-be or a loved one planning a shower for your long-time friend and their newest little family member, you know one thing for certain—throwing a baby shower is a time-honored tradition that celebrates new parents and their bundle of joy, showering them with love and gifts for this next exciting life chapter.

Although there are pros and cons to finding out the gender of your baby, some parents prefer to keep it a surprise. And while a bubblegum pink and baby-blue color scheme was all the rage for baby showers in the early 2000s, the past two decades have given these celebrations a modern makeover. Now, gender-neutral baby shower themes that feature neutral hues, modern designs, and a variety of adorable customizations are the new trend.

Don’t get us wrong—we appreciate a pop of pink or blue as much as the next shower planner, but we also love these gender-neutral baby shower ideas (and we think you’ll fall in love too).

Looking for inspiration to kickstart your creative flow? We've got you covered. Here are five of our favorite gender-neutral baby shower themes to pique your interest:

With so many enticing and picture-perfect gender-neutral shower themes to choose from, how do you decide on the one? There are a few factors to consider before you finalize your top choices.

While you might have spent an afternoon exploring Pinterest's endless array of Under the Sea decor ideas and falling more in love with each click, consider this: What types of themes would the parents appreciate most?

Ask yourself the following questions to help you narrow down your options:

• What are their hobbies?

• Do they have any favorite colors?

• Have they previously mentioned any themes they preferred?

Planning well-orchestrated and stylishly decorated gender-neutral baby showers doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are several ways to create the baby shower of their dreams on a budget:

• Create DIY decor

• Repurpose used items

• Focus on key pieces

Once you have your eyes on the prize and have chosen an unforgettable theme the parents will adore, it’s time to create a list of decorations that’ll make the shower’s motif really pop. From the balloons down to the napkin holders, here are some of our top baby shower decorations that coincide with the themes listed above.

When the guests sit down, you want them to ooh and ahh over the table’s charming details. From tablecloths to specially crafted napkins, no table setting can be left behind that doesn’t exude your theme’s motif.

Below, we shower you with a few tips on table-setting for each gender-neutral baby shower idea:

• Woodland creatures – For this theme, the more greenery, the better. Look for wooden placemats, place cards that sit on top of animal figurines (bonus points if they’re whittled), and leafy garlands to accent each place setting.

• Outer Space Adventure – A few simple decorations will take this baby shower straight to the moon. Opt for metallic table runners, star-shaped plates, and galaxy-themed placemats. If you have the materials, you can also make DIY napkin rings, each topped with a planet from the solar system or a star.

• Jungle Safari – You can’t go wrong with animal-print napkins, bamboo cutlery, and large tropical leaves as natural jungle-inspired placemats.

• Under the Sea – Take your guests on a seafaring adventure beneath the waves, starting with tablecloths in a range of blue hues. The Little Mermaid herself would marvel at the finer details of the table settings, such as seashell napkin rings and fish-shaped plates.

• Vintage Circus – For a classic circus vibe, we recommend red and white striped tablecloths, carnival ticket seating cards, and a vintage popcorn bucket full of freshly popped kernels waiting to greet each guest.

You can easily bring a splash of pizazz to the walls and ceilings of the venue with a few hand-chosen decor items, depending on the theme:

• Woodland creatures – Tapestries and murals are a cost-effective and simple way to immerse your guests in the theme. To turn a bare wall into a fairy-filled forest, hang a forest tapestry and adorn the space with paper lanterns and shimmering lights. And the guests of honor will stand out with a neutral balloon garland poised behind their table.¹

• Outer Space Adventure – Search for a large space mural and hang foam or blow-up planets from the ceiling. You can also add ambiance by dimming the lights and lighting up the ceiling in a galaxy of stars with the help of a star projector.

• Jungle Safari – This plant-filled motif is another excellent excuse to load up on greenery, such as giant tropical leaves and ferns. You can add dimension to your wall decor by hanging them on the wall alongside jungle animal cutouts.

• Under the Sea – Create the ultimate ocean-filled atmosphere by hanging an underwater tapestry accompanied by the quiet lapping of ocean waves in the background. For a quirky touch, hang jellyfish lanterns and seaweed streamers from the ceiling.

• Vintage Circus – Hang vintage circus posters on the wall and incorporate a colorful balloon arch behind the table where the guests of honor will be sitting.

The table settings wouldn’t be complete without a centerpiece that captures the essence of the theme.

• Woodland creatures – Fill a mason jar with mini pine cones and fairy lights. Place them atop a circular slab of wood and surround them with petite potted plants (that could easily double as shower favors). Two birds, one stone!

• Outer Space Adventure – For this theme, there are several centerpiece options to choose from, such as rocket ship models, star-shaped lanterns, or different-sized moon-themed candles. You can select a different centerpiece at each table or mix and match a few smaller items at each one, depending on the size of the table.

• Jungle Safari – Add a pop of color to the neutral hues of a jungle safari-themed shower by adding a bright color palette with tropical flower arrangements surrounded by small stuffed animals or handmade clay critters. Or, for a bold statement, you could fill small terrariums with ferns, succulents, moss, and miniature animal figurines. Voila—instant jungle!

• Under the Sea – Glass fish bowls will make an excellent start to your under the sea centerpiece! Fill your bowls with colorful pebbles and faux seaweed, and complete the look with tealight candles floating in seashells.²

• Vintage Circus – To evoke the traditional charm of the circus, arrange tent-shaped lanterns as the focal point of your centerpiece and place vintage-style circus animal figurines around the lantern. Alternatively, you could place an antique clown figurine or doll at each table, surrounded by mini mason jars full of different circus treats, from Circus Peanuts to animal crackers.

As the party planner, you'll be busy organizing a memorable shower for your nearest and dearest. That’s why Posh Peanut is here to simplify one aspect of the shower: the gift selection process.

With thoughtfully created baby essentials, such as unisex baby rompers and gender-neutral swaddles, there are plenty of soft and stretchy options to choose from. Made with viscose from bamboo, these garments ensure that the baby will be wrapped in a breathable, lightweight fabric that’s gentle on sensitive skin.

Make the shower truly special with a little something from Posh Peanut.

Sources: 

¹Pretty Collected. How to Throw a Woodland Themed Baby Shower.

https://prettycollected.com/blogs/news/woodland-baby-shower

²Sisoo. DIY Shell Craft Idea: Tea Light Candles.

https://sisoo.com/how-to-seashell-tea-light-candles-diy/