Spice Up an Autumn Baby Shower with These Must-Have Treats & Decor

From harvest-inspired decor to hot, cinnamon-spiced drinks, the autumnal theme is warm and inviting—and just perfect for a baby shower. Below, we share 10 ways to bring autumn sights, smells, tastes and a little fun into your sweater-weather soiree.

photo: Wokandapix via Pixabay

Favors with Flavor

Edible favors are the way to go for a baby shower, especially when you can incorporate some amazing fall flavors. Buttery caramel corn is a classic everybody loves, or spice things up with pumpkin spice popcorn from Etsy store Fun Fair Treats. Stick a “She’s About to Pop!” tag or sticker on each favor bag and consider it the tastiest takeaway gift.

photo: Brooklyn Candle Studio

Lighten the Mood

Candlelight creates a warm, cozy ambience as days are getting shorter and cooler. The candles in the Minimalist Collection from Brooklyn Candle Studio ($24) are made with 100% soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. Fall-inspired scents include Toasted Pumpkin, Fern + Moss, Apple Cider and Cardamom.

photo: World Market

Add an Earthy Element

Wood wares, like this Wood Bark Pedestal Stand ($29.99) from World Market, bring both beauty and added function to your shower décor. The natural texture of the wood will give the sense of being outdoors, and the rich hues are evocative of all that's fall. Best of all, the added height let you fill your tables with more treats or shower decorations. Top it with a big pumpkin, clusters of candles, or hors d'oeuvres.

photo: The Republic of Tea

Toast with Tea

A hot cup of tea will make your friends and family want to curl up and stay awhile. Choose sweet scents that evoke the season, like Hot Apple Cider or Caramel Apple from The Republic of Tea. The Hot Apple Cider variety is a blend of apples, cinnamon, cloves and ginger, while Caramel Apple contains rooibos, smooth caramel, apple bits, and vanilla. Both are caffeine-free for the mom-to-be.

photo: Blue I Style

Because…Pumpkins

Baby bump plus autumn equals pumpkins, right? Turn the season up a notch, without going overboard, by popping a pacifier into the face of a jack o' lantern drawn with marker. No carving required! Blue I Style shows you how to create your own little pumpkin.

photo: The Honest Co.

Incorporate Diapers as Decor

Diapers deserve a place at every baby shower. And the outdoors-inspired designs from The Honest Company make this decor idea even cuter. Go retro with a classic diaper cake or wrap stacks of them in color-coordinating ribbon for centerpieces. 

photo: World Market

Go for the Gold

Perhaps the prettiest fall color? Gold. This neutral hue will instantly elevate your shower and can be used in everything from the invitations to food to decorative items. To keep it from going too over-the-top, use darker gold tones and avoid anything too brassy. These Black & Gold Leaf Hurricane Candleholders ($6.99–$16.99) can be used for their intended purpose or to house pens and pencils (for shower games), cutlery, cute straws or even fall foliage as decorations.

photo: Explorer Bob via Pixabay

Sweeten with Honey

If your shower is a brunch-time affair, sweeten the menu with a fall flavor like honey. And go for the good stuff, like Nature Nate’s Raw and Unfiltered Honey. Use it to whip up a big batch of cinnamon honey French toast, which your guests will find both comforting and chic when dressed with pear slices and whipped cream.

Deck Out Dessert

For a sophisticated take on dessert, try this Applesauce Cake from Red Velvet NYC. They'll send you both the recipe and pre-measured ingredients to make baking it a snap. It looks both decadent and festive, and it's beautiful enough to be the table centerpiece, especially atop a stunning cake or pie stand, like the wooden pedestal stand above.

photo: Sweet Home Farm

Make-Your-Own Parfait Bar

Stock a few different types of regular and Greek yogurt, and then get autumnal with the toppings. Try fruits like apples, cranberries and pomegranates, along with toasted nuts, granola (like Sweet Home Farm’s pumpkin flax variety), candy corn, cinnamon to sprinkle, and caramel to drizzle. A parfait bar can also keep guests entertained while gifts are being opened at the shower.

—Whitney C. Harris

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