Baby Shower Napkins Guide: Style An Unforgettable Event For Parents To Be

Celebrate the arrival of a little one in style! Every detail counts when hosting a baby shower, from the streamers on the wall to, yes, the napkins on your table. All these items reinforce the arrival of the new baby surrounded by loved ones.

If you’re in charge of the decor, selecting the right baby shower napkins may seem like a small task, but high-quality napkins make all the difference in setting the right tone. Shower the parents-to-be in elegant fashion with these baby shower napkin tips. 

What to look for in baby shower napkins

Use this checklist as a guide for a table setting that the parents-to-be won’t soon forget.

Styles that suit your party format

Are you hosting a light brunch or hearty dinner? Is the menu a full spread or mostly light hors d'oeuvres? This will determine which types of napkins you need. It also might be worthwhile to stock up on a variety of luncheon napkins, cocktail napkins, and dinner napkins to cover all courses. If you really want to wow a crowd, select pocket napkins that you can tuck in name cards or printed instructions for one of the fun games you’ve planned. 

Customization options

There’s nothing wrong with single color napkins, but it doesn’t hurt to go a step further and really put a personal stamp on the decor. Custom napkins with special designs, like a classic stork or cute teddy bear, are sure to get lots of oohs and aahs. You can also mark the baby shower date or add personal branding with baby’s name (if the parents are comfortable sharing).  

Coordinate with other decor

The best baby shower napkins stand out on their own while simultaneously tying the whole room together. Consider the color scheme of the rest of your decor, including your other table linens. They don’t have to match exactly, but they should complement each other. Mellow rose napkins and a yellow tablecloth or tablerunner, for instance, are perfect for a springtime shower. 

Durability and quality

Of course, you can’t forget the quality of the napkins you’re buying. They can look great, but that won’t matter if guests put their thumbs through wet spots or the colors stain the table — both things that happen regularly with cheap napkins.

Look for paper napkins that feel just like real cloth for the best guest experience. They should be soft-to-the-touch, yet strong enough to handle any spill. For colored napkins, make sure they’re made with premium dyes that don’t run, so your guests’ hands stay clean. 

Enough for the whole crowd

The last thing you want is to get to dessert and find you’ve run out of napkins. Buying paper napkins in bulk ensures you’re covered for the whole party. And if you have a few left over at the end, it’s no big deal. Send some home with the parents-to-be as a souvenir, or save them for your next big celebration. 

Baby shower napkin inspiration

Get inspired with these ideas for baby shower napkin colors. 

Napkins for baby boy

Welcome the new baby boy with any shade of blue. You can never go wrong with lighter hues, such as the classic Robin’s egg-like pale blue or dusty blue napkin. Darker hues like navy are great, especially for a nautical theme. If the parents-to-be are partial to more turquoise inspired shades, mint napkins also make a fine choice. Or, go a little more rustic with blue denim-style napkins. 

Napkins for baby girl

Cover the table in traditional pink or light pink napkins for an elegant ambience. You can also go for bolder shades of pink, such as the magenta-like signal violet, and give the baby girl a royal welcome. 

Napkins for gender neutral shower

The possibilities are endless when it comes to gender neutral decor. Make a statement with bright colors, from kiwi and lime green to fiery shades like luminous orange. Subtle, neutral shades like cream and ecru also make your shower feel upscale and match just about any decor. 

Napkin fold ideas for a baby shower

Go the extra mile with a fancy fold. There are so many easy and impressive ways to fold napkins for your baby shower for every style. Make your party feel like a five-star restaurant with the knot or fan, or keep it simple with an effortless roll, held together by a napkin ring. 

When should you order napkins for a baby shower?

The more you plan ahead, the less stress you’ll have as a host. Give yourself a minimum of two weeks prior to the baby shower date for your napkins to arrive. If you’ve ordered custom napkins, it might be a good idea to order at least three weeks out from the baby shower, so there’s no worrying about them arriving on time. 

How many napkins should you order for a baby shower?

The size of your napkin order will depend on how many guests have RSVP’d, as well as the amount of food and beverages being served. In general, you’ll want to order two to three napkins per guest, per course. That includes your main course, as well as dessert and beverages. If you’ve got 25 guests in attendance for a brunch buffet, as well as a mimosa/mocktail bar and dessert course, you’ll want to order at least 225 napkins. 

Set your baby shower table with Naptec

Naptec’s high-quality paper napkins are perfect for any baby shower. With dozens of color choices and customization available for any image or text, our napkins match any celebration. 

All of our products are made in the U.S. at our Middletown, NY facility. We don’t cut corners, so every order is made with premium materials that look and feel just like real linen. Your guests won’t know the difference, but you sure will when there’s no laundry to worry about at the end of the party. Shop Naptec for your baby shower and celebrate the parents-to-be in style.