Monkey See, Monkey Do! Planning a Monkey-Themed Baby Shower

If you’ve had just about enough of the traditional pink and blue baby showers, it’s probably time you take a walk on the wild side with a jungle- or monkey-theme baby shower. A playful theme that's fun and easy to pull off, it’s not limited to just boys but can be used for girls, too. Swinging through the air with ease, compliments will soar like little monkeys at play. Here’s how:

Since monkeys are brown, that should be your basic hue along with a few accent colors. For boys, try a combination of blue, brown and beige, and substitute pink with the brown and beige for girls. If you want to keep it gender neutral, simply go with the yellow and brown. Add some touches of green throughout to symbolize the lush, green forest where little monkeys love to play for a tropical look that will make guests feel like they're on safari. No matter which color you choose, you can create a monkey theme that’s focused on Curious George at the circus with bright red and yellow, a playful party in the jungle with earth tones or even a retro party with a sock monkey theme in any color you choose. Sock monkeys are so fun!

A monkey theme deserves something more fun than flowers. Consider using baby accessories, necessities and gifts as centerpieces for the tables and to add special touches to the decor. Monkey-themed diaper cakes with a plush monkey on top, Five Little Monkeys gift baskets and even personalized newborn baby gifts, like blankets and photo frames, can be used to accent the table. Another way to incorporate useful items is to create a clothesline of adorable baby clothes. From onesies to socks, cute baby outfits with monkey themes can be strung across the room or over the cake table. Because these are all items Mom can use, she’ll certainly appreciate these practical centerpieces and decorations because they're essentially more gifts for baby! To enhance the jungle theme, place lots of plants and trees around the room and use monkey grass or raffia skirts around the tables. Set the stage with some jungle music playing in the background and create a few “vines” with brown and yellow crepe paper accented with a few plush monkeys hanging from them.

When it comes to a monkey-themed baby shower, there are lots of creative ways to say “Thanks for swinging by!” Monkey shaped cookies are a treat that guests can enjoy at home, as well as safari-themed candles. Bamboo coasters are also a useful gift that will remind them of your jungle theme.

You’ll likely see lots of invitations already printed with monkeys on them. But if you want something totally unique, you can always create your own. How about a banana-shaped invitation with the details on the back? Or send guests a tiny stuffed animal with a “monkey message” attached with the details of the event as a unique monkey-gram. They’ll surely remember this invitation and have a keepsake reminder of the event.

As an unexpected detail, jazz up finger sandwiches by cutting them out with a leaf-shaped cookie cutter. Cakes and cupcakes can easily be decorated with monkeys and served along with the typical baby shower fare. But for a fun sweet treat, let guests create their own banana splits for dessert—everybody knows that monkeys love bananas!