Hosting a Monkey Baby Shower? Need some ideas to get your creative juices flowing? The following in-depth ideas and resources will help make your monkey baby shower incredible.

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Monkey Baby Shower

The theme “monkey baby shower” is popular indeed and it is easy to see why, as you can have so much fun with this theme. You can choose from a variety of monkey types, from the plush and cuddly, to the 1940’s inspired sock monkey. You can have fun with invitation wording too. You can be tongue and cheek and write “See what monkey business gets you?” Or you can be just plain fun and use language such as “Swing on by to help us celebrate Jenny and her new baby.”  You can be silly and create decorative posters that read “Jenny and Marc were sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.” Whatever type of monkey theme you choose, spend a few minutes below to not only be inspired, but to also gain helpful tips and tools to create your very own fabulous monkey baby shower.

Monkey Baby Shower Color Palette

We thought the following color schemes were easy to incorporate into a monkey baby shower using happy, yet baby-oriented colors.

For boys: we incorporated a soft blue, yellow, chocolate brown and spring green.

For girls, we used pink, butter yellow, chocolate brown and spring green.

Once you’ve settled on a what type of monkey theme, it’s time to determine what type of invitations and how many. A really good rule of thumb is to ask the Mom-to-be for a guest list. Don’t assume who should be invited. Ask for a compiled guest list at least 6 weeks before the date of the shower. Some great tips according toEmily Post is to host the shower 4 to 6 weeks prior to the due date and send invites 3 to 6 weeks before the shower. Today it is even acceptable to host a shower within the first few weeks after the baby’s birth date.

Urbanity Studios’ Monkey Baby Shower Invitation

These monkey baby shower invitations (shown above) set the stage for a playful monkey baby shower. Both the girl monkey baby shower invitation or the boy monkey baby shower invitation features a cloth-diapered, baby monkey swinging from a vine. The fun argyle pattern adds a modern twist and the invitation offers plenty of space to offer details about the shower. What is also great about this design, is that any color within the design can be changed to reflect your monkey baby shower color scheme i.e. change the argyle pattern to shades of green, change the monkey’s diaper to pink, etc. These invitations are printed on heavy card stock and come with square flap envelopes. Save yourself some time addressing the envelopes with our Urbanity Studios’ Address Labels(* need to create these in zen and pn) that include not only your return address, but also your guest’s mailing information.

If you are interested in purchasing Monkey Baby Shower invitations from Urbanity Studios, you can receive an exclusive 10% savings. Use code Monkey10 during checkout for any of our monkey-themed designs.

Because a monkey themed shower implies casual and fun, play with the language that you use on your invitation.  These examples below will help set the stage for your perfect monkey baby shower.

Invitation Wording Sample #1:

There is no monkey business here…
It’s time to shower Amanda,
for her due date is very near.

Join us for an afternoon of
bananas and fun, as her party will begin at one
on October 10, 2012

Smith’s Home
123 Street
Anytown, US 55555

Please reply by October 1st to
Mary 555.555.5555

Hosted by Sarah, Ann and Kim

Registered at Land of Nod, Babies R Us and Target
Invitation Wording Sample #2:

Jungles, Monkeys, Bananas and more
join us for Amanda’s baby shower
and see what we have in store

Her baby girl’s due date is very near
so let’s shower her with gifts for the upcoming year

September 5, 2012
2 – 5 p.m.

Cafe She-She
123 Main Street

Please accept or regret to Sue by October 31st

Registered at Babies R Us and Pottery Barn Kids

Invitation Tip: Be prepared and ready to mail out the shower invitations 4 weeks in advance.  Ask the mom-to-be for the list and addresses about 6 weeks prior to the event.  Be sure to ask her to include phone numbers and email along with the addresses.  Be prepared to call and or email invitees if they haven’t responded by the requested response date.

RSVP Tip: Many folks don’t know what RSVP means.  To help spur guests to respond,  include on the invitation “Please accept or regret” (so there is no confusion as to what they should do) by date (so they know when they need to do it by).

There are all kinds of monkey decorations on the market.  We wanted to go beyond bananas and stuffed monkeys and opt for decorations that lend themselves to a more sophisticated, yet playful monkey themed baby shower.

Decoration Tip: Focus your decoration energy on your entry way and buffet table and or table setting.  Incorporate ferns, flowers and stuffed monkeys into your decor for a great looking event.

Monkey baby shower decorations for the entrance

If weather permits, think about decorations that could help guide guests to the party entrance.  We all know that monkeys live in jungles and love to swing from trees, so think about using jungle and tree inspired elements.  An easy and inexpensive way to do this is to line the walk with Shepherd’s hooks from which to hang moss balls.  The effect is pretty and simple to pull off.

Source: The Party Dress

These moss balls are easy to make and the ribbon can easily be changed to match your color scheme.  Learn how to make your own moss balls with this handy tutorial.  You could even hang a stuffed monkey from one or two of the Shepard’s hooks for fun look.

Tip: Don’t have Shepard’s hooks or don’t want to make moss balls?  Line your walk way every 12 – 18” with helium balloon bunches within your color theme.  Anchor the balloons into the ground and tie them securely to plastic forks and stick the fork tines into the ground.

Like shown above, go to the effort to create a welcome sign to hang on the front door or near the entrance.  It helps welcome guests, lets guests know they are at the right place (if they didn’t get the hint from the walk way decorations) and invites them to enter a fantastic event.

Free resource: Feel free to download this cute welcome sign for your event. Print it, cut it, glue it to a heavy card stock and hang with ribbon. Select from either the boy or girl version.

Monkey baby shower decorations for the location
In carrying out the monkey theme, make a large moss covered letter that either starts with Baby’s first name or last name.  Hang it above the buffet table, place on the mantel or even hang it on the front door.  Place a stuffed monkey near the letter, wearing a ribbon around its neck (in the shower color scheme) and you have a stylish decoration element to add to the party (and possibly give as a gift for the baby’s nursery).
Tip: Get the large letter how-to from Dear Lillie.

The Table

Wow guests with a beautifully planned buffet table or table setting.  By using symmetry you can take an ordinary food spread and make one killer statement that will make guests go bananas with compliments.  This is one example of food display genius.

 

Source: My Bride Story

This simple, yet beautiful display is easy to achieve.  Create risers to elevate plates of food. Cake stands and boxes (wrapped in color-themed gift wrap or fabric) are sturdy yet inexpensive risers. Use serving platters that are all the same color and the result is simply stunning.  For the monkey baby shower theme, replace the artichoke bouquets with bananas or coconuts and replace the Brussels Sprouts runner with kiwis and anchor each end of the table with matching stuffed monkeys donning tied bows of ribbon around their necks.

Table Display Tip: Don’t have six cake stands to create the look above?  Invert glasses and place square or round plates on top for the same effect.

If you are placing your buffet against a wall, make an even bigger statement by adding a personalized monkey baby shower poster on the wall behind your buffet ($8.95-$5.95 each).  It adds a great, fun touch.

Or, another idea is to use monkey decals placed around your party space.  Target offers monkey wall decals that are reusable, easily removable and super cute.  Use these decals for the party and tell mom that they are hers to take home for baby’s nursery after the party.  Great double duty item.

Source: Celebrations at Home

Inexpensive Decoration Tip: If artwork hangs in matted frames within the party space (say in your living room), swap out the artwork for patterned scrapbook paper that matches your color theme.  This provides a big wow factor, but is super easy and inexpensive to incorporate.

The Monkey Baby Shower Menu
Thank guests for taking time to celebrate with you and the mom-to-be with great tasting food.  Depending upon the time of day you have the shower, will help to set appetite expectations for guests.  For example, if you are having the shower at eleven o’clock in the morning, then guests will most likely expect lunch or brunch.  Three o’clock in the afternoon would imply appetizers and or sweets.  The following two menus are perfect for a brunch or an afternoon gathering.

Food Tip: A great way to make sure guests arrive with the correct level of appetite is to include wording such as “light lunch will be served” or “brunch will be served” on the invitation.

Food Tip: If you are not providing guests with a formal place to sit during the shower (for example, at a table) make food bite size and/or easy to eat, served on a small plate while either standing or sitting.

Morning Monkey Baby Shower Menu
For a morning/luncheon affair, this brunch menu will do the trick.
Get the full details and recipes for the morning monkey baby shower menu. Below are food ideas as well as beverages to be served.

(each recipe/quantity serves 10-12)

Source: Austin Wedding Blog

 

Menu

Bite sized pancakes

Monkey Bread

Bagels & Cream Cheese

Fruit Parfait

Fruit Platter

(assortment of fruit that is in season)

Banana Chips

Monkey Cake Pops

Guest Food Tip: If guests know each other well, they will tend to eat more than a group of guests who just met.  If the group isn’t well acquainted, assume each recipe will serve 12-14 instead of 10-12.

 

Drinks

Mimosa

Wine

Coffee with assorted creamers

Afternoon Monkey Baby Shower Menu
For a late afternoon baby shower, these menu ideas are perfect.  Get details for the monkey baby shower afternoon menu here.
(each recipe/quantity serves 10-12)

image source:Country Living

 

Small Reuben Sandwiches

Salad in a Jar

Banana Split Station

Monkey Cake Pops

Runts and Banana Chips

Cost Saving Tip: Save money by purchasing plates and napkins within your color theme instead of plates and napkins adorned with monkeys. Or, save the most money by having guests use real plates and utensils.

Tie napkins with ferns to stay within the monkey baby shower theme.

Baby shower activities range from blind tasting baby food or guessing the circumference of mommy’s belly.  With the monkey baby shower theme, you could get very creative with monkey oriented games; however, after a recent survey taken by Urbanity Studios, over 92% of respondents said they either “disliked” or “strongly disliked” baby shower games.  We agree with the respondents and think baby shower games are more of a distraction than necessity. However, you can incorporate an “activity” in which everyone can participate.

We suggest having your monkey baby shower flow as follows: Start with drinks, then food, then gifts.  Be a great hostess and introduce yourself to those you don’t know and make sure you introduce guests to each other.  Offer everyone something to drink when they arrive and be sure to be one of the first people to greet the guests when they enter your home or location of event.  When it is time to eat, offer a toast by welcoming everyone and then introduce the activity for the day.  Ask guests to think about a really fun game, memory, activity that they did as kids that the mom-to-be can use when baby gets older (and ensure that baby doesn’t monkey around to his/her detriment). Tell guests as mom opens a gift from them, it will be their turn to share their childhood game, memory or activity.

As memories and laughs are shared, be sure to take great notes and give to the mom after the shower for her reference later.  This is a great baby shower activity and you will be surprised at the sighs of relief you’ll hear when guests learn there isn’t a “game”.  You’ll also be surprised at the great memories and ideas that guests will share~some of which you could use with your own children.

Monkey Baby Shower Favor Ideas

Party favors for guests are becoming quite the norm for many types of parties including baby showers. Favors are utilized as a small thank you gift for guests and don’t have to be super costly. s Several favor ideasexist from the edible to the fragrant that will leave a lasting impression with the shower guests.

Monkey Candy Favor Bags
These fantastic favor bag ideas, from Martha Stewart, are filled with goodies and tied up with a little monkey key chain, however could easily be tied with ribbon. These favors are incredibly easy to put together too. We found thatParty City had inexpensive yellow lunch sacks that could be filled with a variety of candies such as Banana Laffy Taffy, Haribo Banana Gummies, Banana Jelly Bellys, Yellow and Green M&Ms.  Create a little tag that says “Thanks for Swinging By” and you are good to go.

Monkey Bath Confetti Favors
The shower is to pamper the mom-to-be, but why not give your guests a small gift to pamper themselves? These unique bags ofbath confetti with personalized favor tags is a nice touch. Each bag contains dried soap and when added to a bath, creates bubbles and a lovely scent.  The confetti soap is priced at $1.98 each and contains enough bath confetti for one bath.

Monkey Munchies in a Jar
Give guests a tasty treat they can make at home. These Monkey Munchies in a jar, seen atSave the Date for Cupcakes, will delight guests long after the shower. Each jar is layered with the dry ingredients that make up scrumptious cookies. Guests simply need to mix in an egg, vanilla and butter before baking this tasty treat. To complete the favor the jars are adorned with sock monkey labels, sock monkey cloth and red and white twine. Truly adorable! For a complete list of ingredients and baking details head on over toBakerella

Unique Baby Shower Gifts

It can be fun to give gifts that are in theme with the shower. Below are a variety of gifts for many budgets that work well with a Monkey Baby Shower Theme.

Gifts Under $20

Alphabet Art ($18.95)
Personalized gifts are sure to be a hit for the mom-to-be and what’s more personalized than a piece of art for the nursery with the baby’s name and color scheme? Urbanity Studios’ offers a fantastic selection ofAlphabet Art to choose from and each design can be personalized not only with the baby’s name, but also with nursery colors. You can request any color combination so the Alphabet Art matches the nursery theme. Each art piece is sized 11”x14”, printed on a creamy textured card stock and fits in a standard size 11”x14” picture frame. Each print is priced at $18.95 (not including the frame).

Monkey Plush Pacifier ($14.95)
This darlingmonkey plush pacifier, found on Amazon.com, is great for kiddos who have a latex allergy because it is crafted out of medical grade silicone. The plush monkey not only helps mom keep track of the pacifier, but also serves as a soothing friend for baby. The pacifier is 4”x4”x4” and recommended up to 6 months of age. The item is listed for $14.95 and has fantastic mom reviews. You can buy this as a main gift or include it as a gift-wrap embellishment.

Monkey-themed receiving blankets ($16.99)
Carter’s offers a variety of patterned receiving blankets, including these adorablemonkey blanket sets. The blankets are woven with a cuddly flannel and sized 30”x40”. These are perfect for lining strollers, swaddling your newborn or tummy time. Each set contains four blankets and is listed for $16.99.

Monkey Leg Warmers ($9.95)
These adorable leg/arm warmers are courtesy ofBibi and Mimi and are created with a soft cotton/nylon/spandex combination featuring little monkeys. Each pair runs $9.95 and can be used as leg warmers or arm warmers. Each warmer is 13” long and not only keep little legs warm, but are great when it comes to diaper changing as you don’t have to deal with tights or pants.

Sock Monkey Infant Slippers ($15.95)
Thesesock monkey slippers are warm and cuddly and fit newborns up to 1 year of age. They are created with ease-of-care in mind as they can be machine washed. They also have non-skid soles for those little ones learning to crawl or walk.

Monkey See, Monkey Do Book($3.99)

ThisMonkey See, Monkey Do book is written  by Marc Gave and illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers.The story is written in a rhyming fashion and is accompanied by colorful illustrations. It is paperback and sized approximately 9” x 7”. The perfect story to add to any baby’s library.

Gifts under $50

Sock Monkey Crocheted Hat ($30)
These snuggly infant monkey knit hats are made (or crocheted rather) to order byThe Crafty Tortoise. Each hat runs $30 and is hand-crafted with acrylic yarn (think easy to care for) and fits a 3 to 6 month old.

Monkey Mobile ($35)

This Danish created mobile adds a fun monkey motif to any baby’s room.  Themonkey mobile is listed for $35 and measures 23”x20”. Each figure is created out of a Serigraphical foil, which in essence is screen printed foil. What a fun decorative element to a nursery!

 

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Big Book ($20.51) – Eileen Christelow
This paperback book is written by Eileen Christelow and contains 32 pages of fun illustrations and content. The book describes how five little monkeys begin jumping on the bed and one by one fall off. All of this is happening without the knowledge of their mommy. The book is a large paperback book sized 14” x 17” that will be a fabulous addition to the nursery library.

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We had so much fun gathering ideas and sharing with you. We you find our ideas helpful or give you inspiration of your own in creating your next Monkey Baby Shower. We’d love to hear if you’ve hosted a Monkey Baby Shower and what worked well. Please feel free to send us comments or questions.

Let the celebration begin!
The Urbanity Studios Team