Make Decorations for a “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Themed Baby Shower

I recently made decorations for a “Baby It’s Cold Outside” themed baby shower-the perfect theme for a shower at the end of January.  It was so much fun and  when this little boy arrives he’ll have everything he could possibly need.

I’ve wasn’t able to share anything until after the surprise shower and by then I was computer-less.  Thankfully that’s all in the past and I’m finally able to share these adorable decorations.

Baby It’s Cold Outside Baby Shower

The Inspiration for the decorations!

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Most of these decorations can be done with traditional cutting methods, but my personal secret weapon that makes creating the components of these decorations a snap is my Cricut Explore.  I honestly don’t know how I got along without it.  It’s hands down the absolute best purchase for crafting that I have ever made. It’s my #1 go to craft tool and does so much more than simply cut paper and create stencils.

First thing I did was cut snowflakes–Lots and Lots of snowflakes!  The shower was held in a hall and I wanted to do something behind where Rebecca (the soon-to-be Mom) sat to dress it up a bit.  I decided to hang a backdrop of blue and white baker’s twine with snowflakes in varying shapes and sizes from the ceiling to the floor.  Then large blue and white tissue paper snowflakes were placed randomly in front of them.

This is what the wall looked like (below).  It really was pretty, but the photos just couldn’t catch it accurately!  The room itself was painted in a peach and white color scheme and the lighting wasn’t very good for photos!

We also has the large tissue paper snowflakes in a variety of sizes hanging all throughout the room, as well as balloons in snowflakes patterns and in baby blue and white!

An area of wall with Snowflakes as a backdrop (not a great shot, but it really did look nice)Centerpieces

The Table Decorations

Preparing the Mason Jars & Placards

The centerpieces were the most fun to make.  I painted large wide mouth Ball Mason Jars baby blue with two coats of Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint  in “Glacier” blue.   Then I lightly sanded the raised areas to “rustic” them up a little and sealed them with satin polycrylic.  I made placards on my Cricut,  saying “Sweet Baby Boy” out of plain white cardstock with a blue and white dotted cardstock overlay and hot glued them to wooden sticks that I painted white.

Painted Mason Jars and drying painted wooden sticks for the “Sweet Baby Boy” placards.

“Sweet Baby Boy” made with white cardstock with baby blue and white dotted cardstock overlay.

Supplies for Snow Covered Branches

This is definitely an outdoor project if at all possible! At the very least–good ventilation!

Epsom Salts

Branches

( I cut thin branches from a shrub in my yard)

Krylon Spray Adhesive

(I used two and a half cans–I tried 3m brand but it was a gross yellow color and turned the Epsom salts yellow–didn’t look nice at all)

  Large Shallow Plastic Container or Cardboard Box

(large enough to hold Epsom salts and full length branches)

Disposable Plastic drop cloth or some protection for spray area and for drying branches

I had decided on the snow covered branches, taking inspiration from the invitation and had seen a technique where you use Epsom salts and spray glue.  I have to say, I am now the owner of a pretty pathetic looking shrub on the side of my house, but it was so worth it.  I cut a bunch of branches about a foot long each and approx 5 branches per mason jar (I made a dozen centerpieces).  Then I cut them to a size I felt looked good with the mason jars, about 10 inches, give or take an inch.

 I used a long, shallow container to hold an entire bag of Epsom salts ( I wound up throwing the container out afterward, there was too much glue all over it).

Epsom Salt in plastic container to “snow” branches!

Now for the messy, but fun, part.

You will need spray glue (I used a little over two cans for 12 centerpieces), your branches and container of Epsom salts handy, rubber gloves would be a good idea too!  Simply hold the branch  at the very bottom in one hand, spray it with the glue (make sure to cover all sides) and then lay it in the Epsom salts and cover the branch well–kind of like breading chicken!  Shake it off lightly and set aside to dry.  It’s messy business, but if you can let them dry well, you wont have too much of a mess when their done.  I ran out of table room so I had to improvise!

Spray Glue

Yup, sometimes you have to use whatever is on hand when you run out of space!  By the way, the spraying was done outside and the branches were brought inside after.

No table was damaged in the process of drying the branches!

Aren’t they pretty?  You can do this to any branch and use them for decorations all winter.  Endless possibilities here!

The Centerpiece Assembly and Favors

Supplies

Your Snowy Branches

Your Painted Mason Jars

A decorative label for the jar front

The Placard (Sweet Baby Boy)

Floral Foam

Modge Podge

Buffalo Snowflakes

Pom Pom Trim

I used floral foam cut to fit inside each Mason Jar as a base for the branches.  I then arranged the branches sticking them in the foam so they fanned out toward the sides-similar to arranging flowers.  I didn’t go too heavy with branches and I tried to keep them at a height where they weren’t blocking people from seeing each other across the table.

 I made the decorative label for the front of the jar by cutting large white circles with a decorative edge on my Cricut.  I sprayed them with some silver glitter spray and then glued blue snowflakes onto the center.  Then I glued it to the front of the jar with some hot glue.

I inserted the stick with the placard, making sure that the placard was centered in the arrangement above the decorative label.  Next step was to hide the floral foam.  I actually poured Modge Podge onto the floral foam at the base of the branches and then used Buffalo Snow on top (probably a little more than 1/4 cup because I wanted it to come high enough to be seen).  I did press the snow it into the Modge Podge a bit so it would adhere to the foam.  Then let them dry overnight!

Finally, I trimmed the top edge of the Mason Jars with an adorable pom pom trim (again using hot glue).

I found adorable little packets of icicles on clearance and cut small snowflakes and glued a few of each onto the branches.

Sweet Baby Boy Mason Jar Centerpiece for “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Baby Shower!

Let’s not forget the favors.  This was a huge shower, nearly 80 guests, we wanted cute, simple and reasonably priced.

Supplies

Small Wide Mouth Mason Jars

Baby Blue Gross Grain Ribbon (the width of the jar lid rim)

Blue & White Bakers Twine

Candy of you Choice

Tags (I made mine, but you can buy tags)

I made adorable little tags that complimented the placards and the label on the centerpiece printed with a tiny blue snowflake,  “Rebecca’s Baby Shower” and the date of the shower.  These were tied (with blue/white baker’s twine) onto ribbon trimmed mason jars filled with chocolate kisses and blue candies.

Sweet Favors

And for the Hot Cocoa Bar we had a sweet little sign that was made with a frame painted in the same paint as the jars and embellished with snowflakes framing a chalkboard-look printable.

Hot Cocoa Bar Sign

It was a lovely afternoon, lots of people, presents, food, games, and fun.

Everyone loves a party and this was a great success.  Now we just have to be patient and wait for that sweet little boy to make his entrance.

If you have questions, please contact me by leaving a comment below or using the contact page (in the “About” section above on the menu bar).

Karen

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was written by Karen Ploransky, The Decorated Nest.

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