There’s a reason baby showers have been a tradition for generations. It’s a beautiful reason to gather with friends and family and celebrate. A new baby entering the family is always a reason to celebrate. Being able to make those memories early on with lots of laughs, giggles, and stories while pampering the parents-to-be is why baby showers are so traditional.
Having family and friends gather to celebrate a baby about to be born can be very soothing for parents expecting their rainbow baby. The term “rainbow baby” is used for babies born after a loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or child death — the idea is that life can color following a storm.
Hosting a rainbow baby shower can be a beautiful way of honoring the loss in the family while celebrating new memories that will be made. For anyone hosting a rainbow baby shower or looking for ideas for their own, here are some ideas to get started.
Rainbow Baby Invitations
When it comes time to send out the invitations, there are so many beautiful options available with a variety of designs and, of course, colors to choose from. The invitations can be full rainbow, with the brightest of reds, greens, and purples. Or it can be more subtle, with pastel colors, watercolor, or patterns.
Themes Within the Rainbow Shower
While it may seem like a rainbow baby shower will obviously have rainsbows, that’s not always the case. The theme can be taken literally and focus on the rainbows, or there can be a more creative approach where the rainbow is about their baby.
For example, the theme could feature whimsical mushrooms and not rainbows, but still be within the theme of welcoming a baby following a loss.
Honoring Loss
Rainbow baby showers are meaningful for people who have experienced the loss of a child whether that be during pregnacy or after. There are a lot of ways for the parents to honor the loss of their child while still celebrating the new life that’s entering the world.
For some, the baby they lost is honored through the decorations, and it’s a large part of the party. But others prefer to make the spotlight on the loss a little dimmer.
Rainbow Baby Shower Games
Love them or hate them, baby shower games are tradition, and with so many to choose from, there’s something that will get the parents-to-be and guests excited. Shower games for a rainbow baby theme are pretty varied.
There are of course the standard fun ones, like guess how many candies are in a jar, write down what you think the baby food you tasted really was, and a challenge to not say the word “baby.”
But there are some meaningful things to do as well, including writing a note to the rainbow baby about their sibling that they can read later, or custom-designed onesies.
Shower Decorations — Bright Colors
One of the most magical things about baby showers is all the details that come together in the decorations. For a rainbow baby shower, these decorations can be all on-the-nose rainbow-themed, from hanging rainbows to more abstract ideas, with the colors taking center stage.
Shower Decorations — Neutral Colors
Another option is to use a more neutral version of a rainbow so it’s less about the bright varied colors. Whichever you choose, there are numerous ideas, from a big balloon centerpiece to rainbow raindrops streamers.
Cake and Cupcakes for a Rainbow Baby Shower
The cake or cupcakes is always the focus of a baby shower, outside the parents-to-be, of course. They are usually the centerpiece of the food table, and they’re a beautiful way to make a memorable baby shower.
There are several cute ideas to bring the rainbow theme into it, including cupcakes that connect to make up the design of a rainbow or a cake in rainbow layers.
Rainbow Baby Shower appetizers
There are a lot of options for rainbow baby shower foods that are not only really delicious but beautifully eye-catching. From fruit skewers and chocolate pretzels to colorful crudités and sugar cookies, there’s something for every guest to enjoy.
Keepsakes
Something really beautiful about baby showers is the ability to sprinkle love not only on the parents-to-be, but for the new baby entering the world, too. Having keepsakes that the parents can hold on to and revisit years later always makes for a beautiful way to celebrate.
These keepsakes can be books with words of wisdom for the baby or a guestbook that has everyone’s hopes and wishes for the little one coming into the world.
Shower favors
It’s a customary practice to send guests home with a little gift, and there are so many cute ideas for a rainbow-themed party favor. There are candles that can incorporate the bright colors of the rainbow, bath bombs to help guests relax at home, wrapped cookies, or favor boxes filled with candy.
