Are you looking for a cute, whimsical theme for an upcoming baby shower you’re hosting? Whether the mom-to-be is expecting a boy or a girl, a jungle safari themed baby shower is perfect for a wild crowd. Candles and Favors is here to help you every step of the way!

Step 1: Work out logistics

Pick a time, date and location that are convenient for the mom-to-be and your guests. Make sure you don’t plan the party over a holiday weekend when guests may be out of town. Put some thought into the logistics up front so your guests can enjoy the party instead of thinking of where they need to be an hour after the party ends.

Step 2: Purchase professional, personalized invitations

Make your guests feel special and take the time to choose a personalized, professionally printed invitation. For around the same cost as purchasing blank, impersonal invitations, you can customize the wording, and match your jungle animal theme. Clever wording like “Come monkey around with us” or “We’re wild with excitement” add even more customization to your invitations. Send your Jungle Themed Baby Shower invitations out around 6 weeks before the party to give guests plenty of time to RSVP and clear their schedule.

Step 3: Get wild with decorations

The decorations for a jungle party themed baby shower can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make them. Start with a Jungle Theme Personalized Banner that coordinates with the invitations you sent out to remind guests of the theme as soon as they walk in the door. Strategically place houseplants, ficus or palm trees around the room for a natural backdrop. Use ropes for vines and hang stuffed animals (wearing diapers, or course) on the vines. For the centerpiece – a jungle safari themed diaper cake! Personalize the cake to match the invitations and the banner and ask guests to bring small theme-related toys to decorate the cake.

Step 4: Plan a jungle menu

Just a few simple touches can turn any menu into a jungle safari themed menu. Garnish serving dishes with banana leaves and come up with creative names for refreshments. Serve wild mushroom dip, trail mix and tropical fruit salad along with other menu items. Offer bottled water with personalized labels as an alternative for guests who don’t want punch or soda. Use banana leaves to garnish serving platters, and order a jungle animal themed cake from your local bakery.

Step 5: Play safari themed games

Plan a couple games for guests to play at the party, but remember to keep it simple. Have guests guess the baby animal name for common jungle animals. Whoever gets the most right, wins! Or, play a fact or fiction game: list facts (and fiction) about baby jungle animals and have guests guess which are true and which are false. Let guests share their parenting knowledge with the expecting mom and have them fill out advice cards. Put all the advice cards in a basket and choose one to read out loud and win a prize!

Step 6: Matching favors, prizes and thank you notes round out the party

Jungle Theme Personalized candle favors make a quick, easy and inexpensive jungle safari baby shower favor. Or, make your own favor. Use cellophane bags and personalized jungle theme tags and sticker labels. Fill the bags with animal crackers, bath salts, personalized m&ms, or whatever else you can dream up. Don’t forget to order matching Jungle Theme Thank You Cards for the expecting mom.