Let’s start with the invite. Our exclusive vintage shower invitation depicts Daddy Bird and Momma Bird sitting on a wire — making it a great choice for a couples shower (or the more traditional girls-only shower).

Our exclusive “Growing the Nest” party banner is over-the-top adorable with colors of raspberry and blueberry. A perfect choice for baby girl or baby boy. Crystal glitter letters, scalloped papers and decorative trim add to its charm.

Pair up our banner with coordinating cupcake/food toppers and favor bags. Fill bags with mints, petit fours or any other small favors. Personalize the scalloped card on each bag by writing baby’s name or the the name of each guest.

More to come! There’s so many more ways to carry out this Vintage Nest theme. We’re working on a vintage nest corsage for the Mom-to-Be to wear during the shower and save as a favorite keepsake. We’re also working on a vintage nest wreath to welcome baby — makes a unique shower gift from the hostesses to the guest(s) of honor. Hang in baby’s nursery after the shower.

Here’s a few other ideas to use in your Vintage Nest baby shower theme:

• Create a vintage focal point for your banquet table using a small bird bath, bird house or decorative birdcage.
• Hand out blank cards (index card size) to each shower attendee with these words printed on it: “A little birdie told me…” Ask each guest to write a note to baby sharing a special memory or fact about the mom- or dad-to-be. For example: A little birdie told me… when your dad met your mom it was love at first sight. A little birdie told me… your mom loves to eat peanut butter straight from the jar. Ask guests to place their cards in the couple’s “nest egg.” The nest egg could be a large twig nest placed on a guest book table. Be sure to label it so the guests recognize where to place their cards. Present the “nest egg” to the parents-to-be at the end of the shower.
• Jordan Almonds (in the appropriate pink, blue or neutral) work great as “eggs.” Place them in twig nests on the banquet table or create miniature versions for each place setting if the event is a luncheon or dinner.
• Create a baby shower game using an egg timer. Call it “Time for Baby” or “Ready to Hatch”

It’s everything you need to host a vintage first birthday party: party banner, cupcake toppers, and petite favor bags. And if you need just a little extra push, may we show you these? Our First Birthday Party Hats add an extra touch of sweetness to classic snapshots of baby eating his birthday cake.

Thank you to our wonderful customer who submitted this photo of her SWEET little one wearing our Baa Baa Black Sheep Cap. The great thing about this cap is that it’s versatile — perfect as a costume, but it can be worn all through the cold-weather months too! And it’s available in ORGANIC cotton or wool! Sweet!

Here’s a sneak peek at our brand new coordinating line of vintage-inspired baby shower invitations, decorations, favors and more. We’re calling this line Bundle of Joy and we’re designing it in such a way that it can work perfectly for a vintage baby girl shower, a vintage baby boy shower, or a vintage don’t-have-a-clue shower. Bunny, duck and bear with their bottles, booties and pins can be found throughout this line and give it a vintage flair you’ll find hard to resist.

Look for this new and exclusive line to appear at The Baby Gardner in late January.   [UPDATE: The new collection has arrived!]

Congrats to Christy, winner of a $15 gift certificate to The Baby Gardner! Christy, we will email your gift certificate code to use at your convenience. Thanks for playing!

I’m doing a bit of research for our next post. I’ll give you a hint: vintage plastic. Think it sounds awful? Think again! Get ready to fall in love.

This little mermaid is coming to The Baby Gardner! She’s based on a wonderful vintage pattern and completely hand-embroidered by the talented Heather Hales.

Enter to win! Can you guess the new item this little embroidery will show up on? Dive in and leave a comment with your guess. If you guess correctly, you’ll be entered to win a $15 gift certificate to the shop. Winner will be chosen at random. Deadline for entering is Sunday 8/2 at 11pm GMT.

Now how fin-tastic is that? And it’s not even a Friday!

We’re adding the finishing touches, so be sure to look for this new addition to the shop in the next few weeks! UPDATE: Our Sweet Confections and Birthday Sing-Along party lines have arrived!

IDEA #1: A Little Encouragement Goes A Long Way

I was watching Oprah several weeks ago and it was one of her ‘Favorite Things’ episodes. Usually she gives away an obscene amount of free stuff to the audience, but because of the economy, she was introducing ‘thrifty’ gift ideas. Anyway, she was talking about how (years ago) one of her producers had asked each member of the staff to write down what they liked about working at Harpo. They collected all the notes, put them in a simple box and gave them to Oprah as a gift. It was something she still cherished years and years later. Inexpensive but priceless.

That really struck a cord with me. I’m a sucker for sentiment. And then it hit me — baby showers! And after some brainstorming and staying true to my love for vintage, I came up with these: Baby Silhouette Encouragement Cards for the New Mom — now available exclusively at The Baby Gardner.

How to Play:

1. Pass these out to each guest as they arrive at the baby shower. Ask each of them to write a special message of encouragement for the new mom.
2. Collect all the cards towards the end of the shower. Place them back in the coordinating archival envelope.
3. Present the envelope to the new mom as a final gift and watch the tears flow! Allow her to read each one aloud if she likes.

Of course, you could always adapt this idea using your own card design (please don’t copy ours). Either way, you’re looking at a great alternative to the same old baby shower games and you’re giving the new mom something she’s sure to cherish for years to come!

IDEA #2: When Will Her Water Break?

Can’t take credit for this clever game, but it’s one of my favorites. And of course I love the fact that the little babies give it a vintage twist.

How to Play:

1. The night before the shower, fill ice cube trays with water (one cube per guest) and place a baby (available in packs by Wilton) in each slot. [Bonus: Make extra baby cubes to place in the punch bowl as an added touch.]
2. Pop cubes out right before the shower and place one baby ice cube in each drinking glass. Distribute a glass to each guest and point out their impending ‘birth’. Tell them it has to be a natural birth. No biting the ice!
3. The first to ‘deliver’ a baby floating freely in their glass wins a door prize!

IDEA #3: No Thanks Necessary

Here’s another great baby shower ‘game’ that actually gives a helping hand to the mom-to-be.

How to Play:

1. Purchase thank-you cards for the guest of honor before the shower. May we suggest a few vintage-inspired choices at The Baby Gardner?
2. At the shower, give each guest an envelope (those that came with the thank-you cards) and ask them to write their name on the envelope.
3. Collect all the envelopes and place them in a bowl. Draw one name/envelope to win a handsome door prize.
4. After the shower, give the thank-you cards and envelopes to the mom-to-be. She’ll have a helpful head start on her thank-you notes.

In the spirit of this historical election, last Fall we started our own Vintage Election 2008. We asked for your vote to select a new design to be incorporated into our line of vintage-inspired birth announcements and baby shower invitations at The Baby Gardner. Voting ended on Election Day, November 4th, and we announced our winner!

Now, we’re pleased to introduce and inaugurate our brand new design, Baby Bells! We liked your choice so much, we decided to create coordinating thank-you cards as well. 

Thanks to all who participated in our election! Let us know what you think of the results!