[Baby Showers] These 22 Trends are Expected to be BIG for A/W 2022 and 2023

Celestial celebrations, nostalgic childhood characters, and joint baby showers are amongst the 22 baby shower trends which are predicted to boom in A/W 2022 and 2023.

By analysing various data points and collaborating with baby shower planning expert for additional insight, Little Wishlist – an online gift registry for pregnancy, babies, and children – sought to discover the most popular and emerging baby shower trends.

Looking across themes, colour schemes, food and drink, and activities, the insight revealed the following 22 trend predictions for baby showers in A/W 2022 and 2023:

1. Nostalgic childhood characters
2. Animal themes
3. Nature themes
4. Space themes
5. Celestial celebrations
6. Pearlcore
7. Seasonal influences
8. Joint baby showers
9. Maternity health and wellness
10. Eco and environmentally friendly
11. Nude and neutral colour schemes
12. Autumnal tones
13. Multi-coloured colour schemes
14. Soft pastels colour schemes
15. Donut towers
16. Personalised cookies
17. MUMosas (and other mocktails)
18. Baby bottles and sippy cups for drinkware
19. Guest books and advice cards
20. Nursery painting activity
21. Batch cooking activity
22. Baby book swap activity

Julia Boullemier, founder of Little Wishlist, commented:

“In the UK, over 8,700 people search for “baby shower ideas” each month. With this in mind, we sought to discover the most popular and emerging baby shower trends, by analysing various data points, and collaborating with a baby shower expert for additional insight.

“According to our analysis of search volume data, themes around Minnie Mouse, safari, celestial, and moons – as well baby shower guest books – are particularly trending right now. Analysis of TikTok hashtag views revealed that Winnie the Pooh, Halloween, cookies, neutral, gender neutral, sunflower, pastel, twin, and Christmas were also amongst the most popular themes and trends for baby shower celebrations. Expert insight also revealed that multi-coloured colour schemes, eco-friendly considerations, and alternative activity-based events, could be emerging baby shower trends, amongst others”.

More information about each predicted trend is below:

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Themes

1. Nostalgic childhood characters

Nostalgic childhood characters – such as Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Barbie – will be revived as key themes for baby showers into 2023.

Julia added: “The Barbiecore trend is dominating fashion and beauty at the moment, so it’s no surprise to see this reflected into other aspects of our lives, including celebrations such as baby showers”.

2. Animal themes

Various influences from the animal kingdom – including safari, jungle, teddy bear picnic, and bees – are also proving to be popular choices when it comes to baby shower themes, and we expect this to continue.

3. Nature themes

According to Pinterest Predicts 2022, ‘sunshine baby shower theme’ was +110%. The platform also suggests introducing biophilic influences through showing fresh ways to replace flowers with greenery at special occasions. Other nature themes – including those related to weather, flora, and fauna – are also having an influence. Weather-permitting, consider hosting your event outdoors directly in nature during the early autumn months.

4. Space themes

Another inclusion in Pinterest Predicts 2022, space-related themes are also having a moment – ‘star-themed party’ and ‘moon party decorations’ were both +140%, with the platform recommending moon-themed invitations. For baby showers, expect to see lots of decorations featuring suns, moons, stars, and planets, as well as spaceships and astronauts.

5. Celestial celebrations

Astrology themes will also prove popular, particularly amongst millennial parents-to-be. We might see various tarot, zodiac, and horoscope motifs, as well as star-sign specific themes based on the baby’s due date, and celestial RSVPs.

6. Pearlcore

Another inclusion in Pinterest Predicts 2022, pearlcore is also likely to influence upcoming celebrations, including baby showers. The platform saw searches for ‘pearl-themed party’ double, and suggests offering pearl-inspired invitations, table settings, and balloons.

7. Seasonal influences

For due dates near Halloween and Christmas, expect to see various seasonal influences in baby shower decorations and food. For Halloween, you could choose purples, greys, and blacks for your colour scheme, or create a ‘charBOOterie’ (a spooky charcuterie board) for your guests to enjoy. For Christmas, you could go for a traditional red and green colour scheme or decorate with elf motifs or snowy tablescapes for more of a Winter Wonderland style.

8. Joint baby showers

Joint baby showers – for multiple births, or for friends or family members who are pregnant at the same time – is also a growing trend. Personalisation is key to this trend, so think balloons, bunting, and even cake toppers unique to both babies.

9. Maternity health and wellness
10. Keeping the event as relaxing as possible for the Mum-to-be, health and wellness trends – such a detoxing, massages, and meditation – are becoming increasingly popular. Some are even introducing alternative therapies (such as hypnosis, acupuncture, or crystal healing) into their festivities.

10. Eco and environmentally friendly

The environmental impact is also an important consideration for many expectant parents, so little compromises can be made to be kind to the planet when it comes to planning your shower. Opt for biodegradable balloon arches, tableware, and backdrops, and be sure to upcycle, reuse, and repurpose where you can.

Colour schemes and decorations

11. Nude and neutral colour scheme

Whether you know the gender of your baby or not, nude and neutral colour schemes are proving popular amongst expectant parents. Opt for luxurious muted creamy tones and inject pops of colour with rose, mauve or peach hues. Essential features include pampas grass, nude-toned balloons, and foliage backdrops.

12. Autumnal tones

For baby showers planned for Autumn months, colour schemes of orange, red, yellow, and brown will likely prove to be popular.

13. Multi-coloured colour schemes

While traditional baby showers have often seen either a pink or blue theme, people are much more likely to now go for a multicoloured shower. Pick 3-4 statement colours and add vibrant foliage in table decorations and backdrops to complete the look.

14. Soft pastels colour schemes

A multicoloured theme can be toned down by adding in soft pastels instead of vibrant hues. Examples of popular soft pastel shades include powder blue, millennial pink, lilac, mint, and lemon.

Food/drink

Julia added: “When it comes to food and drinks, we might expect to see a range of bespoke snacks and beverages at baby showers, customised and personalised specifically for the occasion”.

15. Donut towers

Donut walls have been popular in previous years, but instead we might begin to see glazed, sugared, or iced donuts piled high on cake stands as a space-saving alternative. Some might also experiment with coloured, gender-reveal style, fillings using food colouring.

16. Personalised cookies

The perfect snack or goody bag item, cookies and biscuits offer a simple sweet treat for baby showers. Expect to see cookies and biscuits shaped like baby bottles, rattles, Babygro’s, dummies, prams – or designed to match the wider baby shower theme.

17. MUMosas (and other mocktails)

Soft drinks or mocktail options are a must for expectant mothers. A MUMosa – an alcohol-free version of a mimosa – ditches the prosecco for sparkling water and orange sherbet. A mocktail version of a mojito can also easily forgo the booze, using just sugar, water, lemon, lime, mint, sparkling water, and ice.

18. Baby bottles and sippy cups for drinkware

Amusingly mimicking baby bottles (and helping reduce clean up), adult sippy cups, glassware shaped into baby bottles, and spill-free wine cups may become the drinkware of choice for upcoming baby showers.

Activities

19. Guest books and advice cards

Doubling up as decoration and a keepsake, guest books and advice cards are growing in popularity during 2022 and so we’d expect to see them get even more popular in 2023. Ask guests to add some advice or a fun memory that both parents and baby can look back on at a later date.

20. Nursery painting activity

The perfect alternative to a baby shower for a practical parent, painting parties get your friends and family involved in preparing the baby’s nursery. If you’re lucky enough to have artistic friends, why not create a mural?

21. Batch cooking activity

Chances are that when the baby arrives you won’t have much time to cook for yourself… Another practical activity, batch cooking gets your friends and family involved with filling your freezer in anticipation of your new arrival.

22. Baby book swap activity

Baby showers often centre around gift giving. However, for those parents-to-be who would prefer a more sustainable or low-cost option, a book swap is a great low-key alternative.

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As well as providing insight into some these trends, Jess Martin – baby shower expert at Ginger Ray – also shared her money-saving tips when throwing a baby shower – “one of the easiest ways to keep your baby shower costs low is to host your party at home, in the park, or at a friend’s house. This will not only cut out the cost of hiring a venue, but it’ll make the occasion more personal to the mummy-to-be. Having your baby shower at home will also make it much easier to make affordable choices when it comes to planning the décor, food, and everything that comes with it. It’s these little efforts to reduce the unnecessary costs and excess waste that the mummy-to-be will appreciate and will make the shower a truly thoughtful experience.

“Opting for a few decorations that are really impactful will also reduce the cost of making your baby shower look great, and balloon arches are a great way to do this. Not only do they allow you to build the colour scheme around them, but they create a stunning venue entrance and photo backdrop too. Alternatively, baby shower in a box kits are a brilliant, fuss-free way to decorate your baby shower venue on a budget as you’ll receive a selection of matching decorations perfect for decorating any venue.

“Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to bring desserts or nibbles to contribute to your baby shower. A dessert table or sweetie station is a great way to encourage your guests to bring an item and with everyone bringing something you can be sure to cater to everyone’s needs and tastes! All you’ll need to do is provide some serving platters, napkins, and cups for the refreshments.”