This shower theme is perfect for the grandparents who love books and all things literary. Encourage guests to give their favorite book from childhood or one recommended for young readers. A personalized inscription turns a storybook into a lasting keepsake.

Color Palette and Decor

For this shower, try working with three colors — black and white and read (red) all over. You can use black and white polka-dot or check linens and red or black napkins. White dishes add an uncluttered touch to this literary décor.

Red roses, tulips, or carnations will add a punch of color to the table. Hot Tamales or Red Hots in clear mason jars, jelly jars, or wine glasses dot the serving table, interspersed with stacks of books wrapped in white butcher paper or newspaper. Use red licorice laces to tie napkins and flatware together.

Invitation Ideas and Script

Create your own version of a library checkout card using manila card-stock and a date stamp. Use your computer to recreate the columns or simply line them on with a ruler and black ink. Use the baby family name as the library name, with the hosting family’s home as the branch.

• Title: Baby Hanes

• Authors: Tiffany and Thomas Hanes

• Editors: “Nana” and “Papa” Hanes

• Due Date: August 3rd

• Come celebrate the release of this first edition

• With a book “signing.”

• Friday, July 7th at 7:00 P.M.

• Dinner at Hanes Library Building

• Bring a favorite child’s book and write in your good wishes.

• Call the head librarian for more information!

The Perfect Game or Activity

“Name That Rhyme” game. Guests try to name that nursery rhyme with only a few words as the clue. For this game you will need:

• A nursery-rhyme book (Classic Nursery Rhymes by Paige Weber is a good one)
• A small pad of paper (one for each guest)
• Pens and paper (one for each guest)
• Rhyme quiz and answer sheet

Before the party begins, select phrases from the nursery-rhymes book. Choose two snippets per person for as many people as you expect (e.g., write 30 if you expect 15 people). Create an answer sheet for yourself.

Give all your guests a sheet of paper and a pen. Read the line aloud, as in “The sheep’s in the meadow.” Each guest must write the title of the rhyme from which the line is derived on their paper. Repeat until you’ve used all the rhyme snippets. Now go back and check the answers. Whoever has the most correct is the winner.

Variations on this game could include using lines from classic children’s literature, movies, or songs.

Gifts That Work with This Theme

One of the best things about the Grandparents’ Shower is that the gifts can be more whimsical or more unusual. In this case, guests are asked to give baby a book. The result will be an instant library. The books can be geared toward infants and toddlers or include books for baby’s adolescence and young-adult years.

Other book-related ideas include:

• Personalized books with grandchild’s name
• Bookends
• Baby scrap and photo book
• Bookcase (this would also be a great group gift)
• Rocking chair: perfect to rock and be read to!
• Tell-Me-a-Story Tape — a story you record on tape or CD (also a terrific activity at the shower—if you are techno-savvy)

Favors

Everybody likes to go home with a present, even a grandparent. These favors don’t have to be baby related, and they don’t have to break the bank.

• Customized crossword puzzles. There are websites that can create them while you wait, and others that take your order.

• Bookmarks or bookplates. These can be simple, crafty creations or polished and customized. The internet offers dozens of sites to order from, such as My Own Labels, The Stationery Studio, or you can create your own. Use the same style and art from the shower invitation to carry out the theme.