If you go down to the woods today You're sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

You remember the words. They were a part of your childhood. We all love teddy bears and what a wonderful theme for a shower to welcome the new arrival.

Bear Invitations

Go to a dollar or discount store and buy one small stuffed bear for each guest on your list. Pick up some remnants of pastel flannelette while you are there. Take the bears home and make diapers for each out of the flannelette. Pin the diapers onto the miniature bears. Make tags out of small pieces of card stock folded in half. Write the details of the shower on the inside of the tags, punch a hole in each tag and insert matching ribbon. Then, tie the tag around the bear’s neck. Either hand deliver the bears to each guest, or mail them in small boxes to each guest. Add a sticker to the outside of the box that reads, “Quiet, baby’s sleeping,” or “Fragile: Baby Bear Inside.” Your guests will be delighted when they open the box and find the delightful bear invitations inside. Ask each guest to bring a uniquely dressed teddy bear with them to add to the effect. Have them place a tag on their teddy’s neck saying who donated it. When the party is over, the Mom-to-Be will adopt all of the teddy bears.

Bear Decorations

If possible, hold the party in your backyard. Spread old quilts or blankets on the ground for guests to sit on during the shower. The Mom-to-Be gets a decorated Muskoka chair to relax in. Tie bear balloons to her chair and, if possible, use a teddy bear decorated blanket as a throw. Tie teddy bear balloons to stuffed bears and then stuff the bears into a wicker picnic hamper. Add a bottle of sunscreen and some insect repellent to make guests more comfortable. Place one basket on each of the quilts that you’ve placed around the backyard.

Don’t use the traditional red gingham tablecloth on the buffet table, go to a fabric store and buy enough teddy bear fabric to make a tablecloth especially for the shower. Another idea is to buy a plain white tablecloth and paint teddy bears on it with fabric paint. Teddy bear stencils are available in most wallpaper stores. Though their original intention was to decorate baby’s room, they work great with fabric paint to make a beautiful table covering.

In case of rain, purchase a large piece of artificial turf. If inclement weather threatens to put a damper on the shower, lay the artificial turf on the family room floor to add an outdoors effect and place the quilts around the room with a picnic hamper in the center of each.

Bear Games

Foraging for Food

Prepare a variety of finger foods, appetizers and snacks, as well as drinks in bottles and cans.

Place all food in air tight containers to ensure there won’t be any spills and hide them around your home.

Place paper plates, plastic utensils and paper napkins on the buffet table.

When your guests arrive, tell them that they are going to have to forage for their food.

When it’s time to eat, allow the guests to search for their food throughout the house. Have them bring it back to the room where the party is taking place so everyone can eat together.

How Many Honey Bees

Fill a baby bottle with yellow jelly beans and add a few black ones. Shake to distribute black jelly beans. Be sure that not all of them can be seen. Keep track of how many black jelly beans are in the baby bottle. Have guests guess how many “honeybees” (black jelly beans,) are in the bottle. The guest whose guess is the closest wins a prize.

A Berry Good Time

Buy several pints of ripe strawberries and make a chocolate fondue. Form two teams and have them form a straight line across the room from the Mom-to-Be. Give each team a teaspoon and blindfold the first guest in each line. They have to carry the strawberry to the Mom-to-Be and place it in a bowl she is holding without dropping it. The first team to get all of their strawberries in the Mom-to-Be’s bowl gets a prize for each member. This should be a small prize such as a vegetable brush or egg time. Then all the guests get to enjoy ripe strawberries and chocolate.

Bear Gifts for Mom and Baby

When you are making out the invitations, ask each guest to bring a “bare” necessity for baby. These gifts can include diapers, baby wipes, bibs, baby oil, bath toys, bath books, hooded bath towels, washcloths, baby bath tub, tub support for when baby gets older, etc. Anything to do with a “bare” baby is fine. Clothing can include diaper shirts, socks, and one-piece jumpers. Have some guests make a donation to buy Mom a “teddy” to wear after baby’s arrival.

Bear Party Favors

There are so many ideas for party favors when throwing a teddy bear themed party. Wrap bear shaped candies or cookies in cello wrap, tie with a ribbon and a thank you note. Allow the Mom-to-Be to hand these out when guests are leaving.

If the shower is in winter, great party favors are things they can enjoy while “hibernating.” These include bath salts, milk bath products, aromatherapy body lotions, bath oils, face masks and shower gels. Other things that will work well with this theme are flavored teas, Echinacea teas, mint or peppermint teas, green tea and various others. Beeswax candles, fragrant floating or tea light candles will all make the winter months fly by. If the shower is held in summer, give instant ice and flavor tea crystals and tea bags, packages of lemonade crystals, small bear garden ornaments or fairy garden ornaments.

Bear Food

Buy a pre-made package of gingerbread dough and a bear cookie cutter. Roll out the dough, cut out bears with the cookie cutters, add raisins for eyes and bake. When it’s time to serve your guests, place in microwave for 20 seconds and serve warm with tea, coffee, lemonade or apple cider.

Make a berry and honey tea to bring out the bear in your guests.

1 Large package of frozen strawberries.

¾ cup of liquid honey.

1 can of orange juice concentrate, partially thawed.

4 cups of ice tea, cooled. (canned or bottled ice tea can be substituted.)

Pour the honey, orange juice concentrate and frozen strawberries into your blender and blend on slow until it is well mixed. Add this to the ice tea in a punch bowl. Serve the tea over ice and add fresh strawberries if desired. This recipe makes 8 servings and can be doubled or tripled, depending on how many guests will be present. It is a cool, delicious and refreshing tea.

Bear Cake

Bake 1 nine inch round and 1 eleven or twelve inch round cake and 7 cupcakes either from scratch or packaged mixes. Bake according to package directions.

Allow cakes to cool when they come out of the oven. Then, place on a cake board using the larger cake for the bear’s body and the smaller cake for the bear’s head.

Place six of the cupcakes at strategic points around the cakes to make ears and paws. Use the seventh cupcake upside down to make the bear’s nose.

Cover the bear with frosting of your choice. If the sex of the new arrival is known, use either pink or blue frosting. If the sex is not known, use peach, mint green or yellow frosting.

Use M & M’s, Skittles or Smarties to add eyes. Place one on the cupcake that represents the nose. If you choose, your can use a different color icing to put a diaper on the bear cake.

Tip

Borrow the Teddy Bear Picnic music from your local library to play while your guests are arriving. It brings a touch of enchantment to the gathering.

If you follow the tips in this article, your shower will be a beary fun time for one and all. Enjoy!