Baby Shower Books Instead Of Cards, Are You Jumping On This Trend?
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Baby showers are always such an exciting time, you get to celebrate new parents and a baby on the way, it’s beautiful, right? Traditionally, guests arrive with adorable greeting cards filled with well wishes for the growing family. However, a new trend has been growing, inviting guests to bring something more special than a traditional card — ‘baby shower books instead of cards‘. In this article, we explore this baby shower trend, provide guidance on how to make the request, offer examples of wording for invitations, suggest the best books to bring, and share ideas for personal messages to fill the pages of these cherished keepsakes.
Why Do Expecting Parents Ask For Baby Shower Books Instead Of Cards At Their Baby Shower?
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It might seem odd, but trust us, there’s a good reason parents are making this request. More often than not, it stems from a desire to foster a lifelong love of reading in the family’s newest member. And while greeting cards hold sentimental value, they often find themselves tucked away in a drawer, or worse…in the trash.
However, a children’s book offers the gift of imagination, learning, and bonding between parents and their little ones. Plus, when the gift giver leaves a special note inside of the book, it makes story time extra special as the baby grows older and older. Gifting a book over a card emphasizes the importance of literacy and the joy of cultivating a child’s imagination from the earliest days.
In fact, we did this at my baby shower and my boys LOVE reading through all the books with a special message inside of them. It just gives it such a special touch that truly goes a long way.
How Do You Ask For Books Instead Of Cards For A Baby Shower?
Although it might feel awkward, it doesn’t have to be! Plus, as a mom who once made the same request of her baby shower guests and who has honored the request attending other baby showers, I promise, it’s not too bad. An easy way to do it when sending out your baby shower invite!
You can find baby shower invitation ‘inserts’ that include a gentle suggestion encouraging guests to bring a children’s book in lieu of a traditional card. Take a look at this one here on Etsy, isn’t it cute? If you want to make your own, here are a few examples of wording to convey this request graciously:
- “In lieu of a card, we kindly request that you bring a baby shower book with a personal message for our little one. Your favorite childhood book or a beloved fairy tale would be a perfect addition to our baby’s library!”
- “Help us build a library for our little one by bringing a children’s book instead of a greeting card. Your personal touch and well wishes will be treasured for years to come!”
- “Instead of a card, we’d like to make a small request. Please bring a book you think baby would love best.”
By framing the request in a creative way to contribute to the baby’s future and emphasizing the personal touch of a handwritten message, guests are likely to embrace this thoughtful gesture with enthusiasm. Plus, book gifting is a great way to kickstart baby’s love of books long before they’re ready to read.
If you still need help, you can download our free baby shower inserts (they come with a diaper raffle and a bring a book instead of a car insert) to make this popular baby shower trend easy without spending a dime.
10 Best Baby Shower Books To Bring Instead Of A Card:
Some parents will make an Amazon wishlist of all their favorite childhood books (usually on their baby shower registry). This makes it helpful so that nobody is gifting the same children’s books over and over again.
Plus, you can’t really go wrong. Whether you get board books or a paperback book, it’s still a story that baby will grow up reading and likely enjoy. However, if you’re unsure of what books to request or gift, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best books to include with your baby shower gifts.
Examples of what to write in a baby shower book:
As a parent, I thought it was so sweet when guests wrote a sweet message inside of the books we were given in place of a traditional baby shower card. Some messages were simple, like “we can’t wait to meet you baby” and others were a little longer and much more thought out. Regardless, this is another thing you can’t go wrong with. If you need some ideas of what kind of meaningful messages to write in baby’s book, we have some examples for you below:
- “Dear baby, may this book be the first of many adventures we share together. With each page turned, may your imagination soar and your dreams take flight. All my love, [Your Name].”
- “To our little one, as you grow, may these pages be filled with laughter, learning, and love. With each story we read, may you know just how cherished you are. With love, [Your Name].”
- “For our sweet baby, may this book bring you joy and wonder, just as you have brought joy and wonder into our lives. With all our love and excitement for the journey ahead, [Your Name].”
- “To our precious bundle of joy, may this book be the beginning of a lifelong love affair with stories, characters, and adventures. With love and anticipation, [Your Name].”
- “Dear little one, may the pages of this book be filled with dreams, laughter, and endless possibilities. With all our love and hopes for your bright future, [Your Name].”
As you prepare for the arrival of your unborn baby, surrounded by the love and excitement of your close friends and family members, consider the lasting impact of this beautiful baby shower trend. Opting for baby shower books instead of cards isn’t JUST a trend either; it’s a heartfelt choice that resonates deeply with nurturing and comfort for baby. Each thoughtful gift in the form of a book carries the potential to spark imagination, cultivate curiosity, and strengthen the connection between you, your little one, and your loved ones.
I’ll never forget those early days with my newborn son, reading him a colorful storybook as I rocked him to sleep, it’s a precious memory I’ll always hold onto forever. So, what’re you waiting for? Opt for the books in place of the cards, you won’t regret it.