The Modern Minimalist Baby Shower

Are you planning a baby shower for a pregnant friend or sister? Does she go for modern simplicity in her wardrobe? Does she tend towards a hip minimalistic approach in her home? Is she a lover of all things gray, white and taupe? If so, she (or you, if you're the expectant mom) will LOVE this theme. It's especially good for a gender-neutral baby shower. The elegant gray Boba Wrap, with the metropolitan vibe it evokes, inspires this baby shower.

Style Notes

This style is all about clean, spacious elegance. It generally calls for neutral tones and sometimes incorporates interesting pops of color (think steely gray with a persimmon stripe). With its "less is more" mindset, applying this design idea to a baby shower has the advantage of potentially being less work-intensive than a more traditional shower with lots of frills. It still offers opportunity to express your creative side with pops of color and whimsy, but overall, its Zen-like nature invites a sense of peace and calm. 

Going beyond the effects of the minimalist pallete, there are more philosophical aspects to consider. Embrace the gift of simplicity in planning this shower. Minimalism values quality over quantity, and naturally tends towards sustainability and of-the-moment (even hipster) accents. We've applied these principles to the party favors, decor, games, etc. We've also made suggestions that create space for meaningful connection between mom and guests, and thought about how style can meet function—mindfully.

Invitations
Simple. Clean. Neutral background and text. Pop of color.
Straight lines. Sans-serif text with handwriting font highlight. Subtle geometric shapes.
Snail mail invites on recycled and compostable paper. RSVP via email.

We love what they're up to with baby shower invitations over at Minted.com

Decor
Monochromatic layering. Pops of color and whimsy. Touches of nature.
White on white on gray. River stones and flowering branches. Mismatched bottle vases. Reusable linen and rented china.

• Simple white settings on neutral table with nature accents

• Whimsical feather garland

• Take cues from this modern minimalist nursery

Baby shower space basics to remember:

• Include a welcome table where guests can sign a guest book

• Invite guests to write their name and address on a thank you note envelope (so helpful later to a mom-to-be)

• Have a table for gifts with easy chair access for mom to open and show gifts

• Remember the tissues (sometimes those itty-bitty booties are real tear-jerkers!)

Food and Drinks
Beautifully crafted. Healthful, decadent, and refined. Classic meets chic. Foodie. High quality.
Tea sandwiches and canapés. Charcuterie and salad. French macaroons and naked cake. Champagne and mocktails.

When it comes to food, "modern" and "minimalist" means anything but boring. Here is a sample menu with links to recipes and instructions.

• Champagne cocktails

• Tea sandwiches

• Botanical canapés 

• Artisan charcuterie boards

• Arugala salad 

• French macaroons 

• Naked layer cake | (How To Video)

Activities
Conversation starters. Tasteful sharing games. Artistic modern crafting. Encouraging words.
Sharing stories about mom and dad. Decorating organic onesies. Holding a blessing circle.

• Mother's Blessing (Blessing Way) ideas

• Baby wishes and advice to baby bucket lists

• Decorate organic cotton baby clothes

• Is a gender reveal part of your baby shower? These gender reveal ideas will help

Favors
Memorable natural beauty. Connection with mom and baby. Cherished treasures. 
Detailed keepsakes with mom and baby's name. Memorabilia from the shower. Birth-related involvement.

• Blessing candles to light when mom goes into labor 

• Nursery-themed charms

• Tree seeds to plant on birth day 

Gifts for Mom and Baby
Simple well-made basics. Organic earth-friendly products. Multipurpose essentials.
Organic cotton baby layers. Wool shearling cuddle pad. Stretchy baby wrap in neutral tone. Natural postpartum care.

If the mom-to-be is registry-shy or guests are looking for off-list inspiration, here is a list of some inspired baby shower gifts for the modern minimalist.

• Earth Mama Angel Baby pregnancy, postpartum and baby products  

• Sheepskin blanket

• Silk baby cap 

• Hand-knit wool longies 

• Natural maple wooden teethers 

• Classic nursing shawl

• Boba Wrap gray