10 fall baby shower ideas to welcome a new little pumpkin
Your favorite mom-to-be has a baby due toward the end of the year—and as the weather starts to cool and the leaves begin to change, now is the perfect time to throw a fall-themed baby shower for your best friend, sister, daughter, or co-worker, complete with autumn décor and flavorful fall treats.
Paperless Post has everything you need to throw a fall-themed baby shower, from customizable fall baby shower invitations to baby shower decorations from Paperless Post Party Shop. We’ve collected our favorite fall baby shower themes for welcoming any new bundle of joy—paired with ideas for snacks and activities—to honor Mom and her new baby.
Table of Contents
1. Pumpkin patch
Give your baby shower a classic fall feel when you host a little pumpkin-themed baby shower. Full of pumpkin spice and everything nice, this fall baby shower theme celebrates all the flavors and colors of autumn. (If the mom-to-be wants to paint her belly like a pumpkin to match the theme, all the better!)
- Invitation: Send a pumpkin-themed baby shower invitation like “Fall Pumpkin” by Little Cube. Remember to add a Registry Block to include links to where the parents-to-be are registered!
- Refreshments: It doesn’t get cuter than a refreshment table adorned with pumpkin cheesecake truffles by Host the Toast.
- Décor: Choose decorations in orange paired with other fall baby shower colors like reds, greens, and yellows to make your party space feel just like a pumpkin patch. Add pumpkins from the actual patch for an extra fall touch.
- Activities: Hold a pumpkin carving contest and let the mom-to-be judge.
2. Fall forest
Take a stroll through the forest when you host a woodland-themed baby shower. Baby bears, foxes, squirrels, and deer are all on this guest list when you add woodland baby shower invitations and décor. Lovers of the great outdoors and camping enthusiasts may especially enjoy this autumn baby shower theme!
- Invitation: Invite guests to the woods with the “Forest Parade” invitation by Petit Collage or the “Bandit and Foxy” invitation by Little Cube.
- Refreshments: For the ultimate woodsy vibes, set up a trail mix station and serve s’mores bars by Baking a Moment.
- Décor: Decorate with woodland baby shower decorations, including mushroom plates and napkins, for a whimsical forest feel. Add candles around the space for an especially ethereal vibe.
- Activities: As guests enter the party, have them add to a tree of love with a fingerprint tree activity by Ten Thousand Hour Mama.
3. Halloween baby shower
If the shower or the baby’s due date falls near Halloween, turn the holiday into your October baby shower theme. Get into the spooky spirit with these Halloween baby shower ideas to welcome the future little trick-or-treater to the neighborhood.
- Invitation: Use the “Magical Owl” invitation by Paperless Post to invite guests to your Halloween baby shower. Add a Photo Gallery Block to show off pictures of the mom-to-be in various costumes from Halloween’s past. Friendly ghosts, black cats, and dancing skeletons are all welcome to join the festivities when you add wording to let guests know that it’s a costume party!
- Refreshments: Set an adorably frightening refreshment table, starting with a 7-layer spider web dip by Chelsea’s Messy Apron. (Just make sure to take pictures before guests enjoy the dip!)
- Décor: Choose Halloween decorations that are on-theme, without being too scary, like cute pumpkin plates and monster tableware.
- Activities: Liven up your shower with classic Halloween games, such as bobbing for apples or ‘Pin the hat on the witch’. Add in baby shower games like ‘Bottles up’ and ‘Boogeyman’—perfect for breaking the ice and getting the party started.
4. Sunny sunflowers
Sunflowers are in full bloom by the time fall rolls around. Celebrate the mom-to-be’s new little blossom with a sunflower-themed baby shower that beautifully incorporates the yellows and browns of autumn. Bonus points if sunflower seeds make their way into your party menu or even your fall baby shower favors.
- Invitation: Put sunflowers front and center when you send the “Busy Mama” invitation by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Arrange a fruit platter in the shape of a sunflower, or prepare a delicious—and healthy—sunflower strawberry salad by Taste of Home.
- Décor: Decorate your party space with lots of sunflower bouquets and floral baby shower décor. Add a bit of French flair with some floral Ladurée decorations, as well.
- Activities: Set up a gardening station where guests can decorate small pots and plant sunflower seeds in a handful of soil. Their flowers may even make an appearance before the baby does!
5. Fall harvest
Enjoy the flavors of fall when you host a baby shower focused on the fall harvest. Decorate with dried flowers and corn, stalks of wheat, and any other farm-appropriate décor that fits in your party space.
- Invitation: Set a seasonal mood when you send the “Autumnal Wreath” invitation by Paperless Post, or make your message a bit more amusing with the “Fruits of Labor” invitation by Cheree Berry Paper & Design.
- Refreshments: Create a platter with fall vegetables like butternut squash and carrots, or serve caramelized onion and goat cheese bites by Delish to capture the rustic tastes of autumn.
- Décor: Serve savory food and drinks on fall entertaining party supplies adorned with red and orange autumn leaves.
- Activities: If you’re hosting your shower before Thanksgiving, have guests create cornucopias with plastic—or real—fruits and vegetables for their Thanksgiving centerpieces.
6. Thankful for our little one
We all know what—or whom—the parents-to-be are most thankful for this year! Use this November baby shower idea to express thanks for a new life in your circle. It references Thanksgiving without taking over the holiday, leaving plenty of room for an upcoming feast.
- Invitation: Invite guests to your Thanksgiving-themed baby shower with invitations like “Autumn Baby” by Paperless Post or “Autumn Boughs” by Felix Doolittle. Make sure your invitations for this theme go out well in advance to avoid conflicts with other Thanksgiving plans.
- Refreshments: Save the turkey for turkey day! Instead, set up a Thanksgiving appetizer platter by Family Fresh Meals and add mini pumpkin pies by Sally’s Baking Addiction to your refreshment table.
- Décor: Include festive Thanksgiving decorations in your shower décor, such as turkey-themed party crackers or table name cards.
- Activities: Once you’ve served refreshments, go around the room and have guests express what parenting moments they’re thankful for—either with their parents or their own kids. They can write their memories down or share them with the group.
7. Peter Rabbit
Bunnies aren’t just for springtime showers. Embrace a storybook spirit when you host a baby shower with a Peter Rabbit theme. It’s perfect for a “build the baby’s library” party or any other shower that focuses on books for the baby.
- Invitation: Send the “McGregor’s Garden” or “Portrait of Peter” invitations by Peter Rabbit for a nostalgic touch.
- Refreshments: Combine the two best parts of a Peter Rabbit party—food and little bunny bottoms—with a mini cheese ball bunnies recipe by Hungry Happenings.
- Décor: Paperless Post Party Shop has an array of Peter Rabbit decorations and party supplies to match your theme, including garden-themed hanging garlands and tableware.
- Activities: Keep the literary vibe going with a game of ‘Guess the Baby book’. Gather quotes from popular children’s books and see how many guests can name them out of context—including “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” of course!
8. Fall baby-Q
Take advantage of temperate fall weather before winter sets in with a Baby-Q. This baby shower theme works well for couples’ baby showers where men are included on the guest list—or when everyone on the list craves burgers and beer. Make it a potluck or BYOB, and plan on grilling until the sun sets!
- Invitation: Invite hungry guests to your Baby-Q with the “Sunny Spread” or “Ribs and Bibs” invitations by Paperless Post. Add Guest Questions to check for dietary restrictions or food preferences.
- Refreshments: For a sophisticated take on BBQ fare, make room for bourbon-and-cola-glazed steak kebabs by Southern Living on your menu. Create a potluck spreadsheet and add it right to your invitation with a Link Block so everyone can contribute to the fare.
- Décor: Set out BBQ party supplies from Paperless Post Party Shop amid your other baby shower decorations.
- Activities: Since everyone’s outside, host a variety of field day games like sack racing and hula hoop contests.
9. Apple of our eye
An “apple of my eye” baby shower is a popular September baby shower theme—though it also works all throughout fall. Set up apple-themed decorations and lots of apple-flavored treats for a sweet gender-neutral celebration. If you have apple trees in your backyard, consider hosting outdoors to enjoy a breath of fresh autumn air and bites of fresh fruit.
- Invitation: Use an invitation like “The Apple Doesn’t Fall” by Mr. Boddington’s Studio to invite everyone to your apple-themed baby shower.
- Refreshments: From apple pies to apple cider, the refreshment possibilities are endless! We love these cinnamon apple scones by Most Lovely Things for a sweet afternoon treat.
- Décor: Drape red decorations across your party space as well as baskets of apples—which double as extra snacks.
- Activities: Set up a caramel apple station for guests to create their own desserts. If you’re close to an orchard, consider taking everyone apple-picking after a nice brunch!
10. Autumn (rain) showers
If you’re looking for the ideal autumn baby shower idea, look no further! Focus on fall rainstorms and blustery days with this weather-themed baby shower—complete with umbrella decorations and smiling clouds. If it happens to rain on the day of the baby shower, that just keeps the theme going!
- Invitation: Celebrate the beauty of fall when you send invitations like “Whatever the Weather” by Little Cube or “Let It Soak In” by Hello!Lucky.
- Refreshments: For a citrusy twist on the traditional punch bowl, prepare a lemony fruit cooler by Taste of Home—and serve them with umbrella picks, of course.
- Décor: Decorate your party space with moon and stars décor and fluffy clouds (activity by HGTV). Then, prepare to send guests home with fall baby shower favors or party crackers to remember their special day.
- Activities: Help the parents-to-be decorate their nursery with a cloud sponge-painting activity. They can create their own designs on paper or paint clouds right onto the nursery walls!
When should you send fall baby shower invitations?
Autumn falls right between summer vacations and winter holidays, making it an ideal time to host a baby shower—as long as the invitations go out on time! Fall baby shower invitations should go out around six to eight weeks before the shower, giving you plenty of time to follow up with RSVPs—and guests lots of time to shop and prepare for the upcoming celebration.
- September baby showers: Send invitations in July or August.
- October baby showers: Send invitations in August or September (especially if the baby shower happens close to Halloween).
- November baby showers: Send invitations in September or October (especially if the baby shower is around Thanksgiving).
Celebrate a new season with Paperless Post
A baby shower celebrates a new arrival, along with a new season of life for the parents-to-be. Paperless Posts knows that planning a baby shower is an act of love and the ultimate gift in honor of a brand-new family member—and we’re happy to take on the details for you. From stationery-inspired Cards to our intuitive guest management features, we have the tools you need to celebrate both parents and babies alike.
For showers in a different season or theme, find even more baby shower invitations to fit your party’s needs. Check out our guide to baby shower invitation wording for the right message ideas, or learn how to throw a work-friendly baby shower that doesn’t feel like work at all. With Paperless Post on the guest list, your baby shower will be as sweet as pie.
Welcome a new little one with adorable, customizable designs to fit every theme.
