Nursery Rhyme Baby Shower, Hey Diddle Diddle

What's more baby quintessential than nursery rhymes?  I was inspired to pull together ideas for a nursery rhyme baby shower when I saw the invitations below (by olive + STAR).  I just loved their simple, yet playful vibe - which can be said of this theme in general.  It resonates a wonderful feeling of old and new - timelessness.

The Invitation

These invitations by olive + STAR are modern and whimsical.  The cow jumping over the moon is perfect for a boy, girl or surprise baby shower.  The mary janes (one two buckle my shoe) are certainly feminine, but olive + STAR works with customers to create original designs - so don't be afraid to ask for a more masculine take (boots would be adorable!).  Mention "Next Stop Baby" in your purchase comment and you will get free shipping.

by olive + STAR

by olive + STAR

This sweet invitation by Down-to-Earth Paperworks includes bits of many nursery rhymes in a personalized poem.  The sample below uses rose pink paper, but the color can (of course) be customized.  As the shop name suggests, eco-friendliness is incorporated whenever possible.  If you mention Next Stop Baby in your order comment you will receive free shipping!

by Down-to-Earth Paperworks

The Menu

Something about nursery rhymes reminds me of barns and farms.  You too?  I think this is because nursery rhymes so often include farm animals.  I'm not sure why, but my guess would be that farming was the only way of life when most nursery rhymes were written.  With all this in mind, here is my menu vision:

Drink - Lemonade sweet tea (check out this recipe from Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box), regular old iced tea, apple cider (cold, warm, mulled or spiked), punch (with or without champagne) and ice water in pitchers garnished with lemon and lime slices are all refreshing choices.  

Food - PIES!!!  Rather than serve a whole mish mosh of food and dessert, how about just pies?  Pies are a perfectly down home treat that everyone will enjoy and there are so many choices: apple, blueberry, cherry, lemon meringue, pumpkin.  You can get creative and make your own chocolate pudding pie (like the gorgeous one below by The Smitten Kitchen) or you can head to your local bakery and pick its specialities.

via The Smitten Kitchen

via The Smitten Kitchen

The Decorations

Continuing with the farm/barn look, here are some basic and inexpensive ideas to pull the theme together.  Also, don't forget baskets - to display the napkins and as a vase for your sunflowers - they scream country and you can probably find a few lying around your house.

A red checked tablecloth is ideal.  Amazon.com of course offers every variety that you can think of: cotton gingham (like below), vinyl and plastic disposable (for 59 cents!).

via Amazon.com

Huge, ceiling high sunflowers might not be an option for your indoor space (go for it if they are or if the baby shower is outside), so cloth or paper sunflowers are a great alternative.  The sunflowers below are made from a sunflower kit by Paper Source, which is fool proof for the slightly less crafty individual.

via Paper-Source.com

Made by N.V. makes these farm animal cupcake toppers.  How cute? How perfect?  If your theme is more particular (Little Bo Peep or Three Little Pigs or Cow Jumped Over the Moon), then you can make your order more particular (sheep or pigs or cows).  Use the coupon code SHIP4FREE to receive free shipping on your order.

by Made by N.V.

The Favors

The little envelopes below are filled with flower seeds for your guests to take home and grow a garden.   SuLu Gifts makes these unique gifts and is offering NSB readers a 10% discount with the coupon code BABY10. 

by SuLu Gifts

The Fabled Needle makes this 4" x 6" notebook, which would be an awesome prize for a baby shower game - a practical and beautiful and themed gift (four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie, remember that one?).  Enjoy 20% off your purchase with the coupon code "blackbird" through May 31, 2011.    

by The Fabled Needle