An alphabet-themed baby shower is a fun and easy way to give the new baby a literary leg up.

Invitations: Have guests save the date of the baby shower by sending out invitations at least a month in advance. If you have a nice printer you can create the invitations on your own. Otherwise, send out an invitation with the ABC's on it. Include the date, time, where the shower is, who is throwing it, along with RSVP information and where the mom-to-be is registered. You can also suggest that guests bring a favorite childhood book to gift to the mom and help her little one learn his or her ABC's.

Decorations: Whether the shower is at a home or out at a restaurant, turn the setting into a welcoming baby shower with a few decorations. String up ABC blocks lighted lanterns around the room. Buy two sets of peel and stick letters and create different words on the wall of the room like mom, baby, love, boy, girl, etc.

Monogram a picture frame with each guest's initials and then print out each guest's full name on a sheet to slide in the frame. The frames can double as place cards and as party favors. Scatter classic wooden alphabet blocks on the tables for decoration, and tie ABC letter balloons on to chairs around the room.

Food: Create a fun menu that revolves around the letters ABC. Start off with an appetizer with the letter "A," such as Alphabet Soup or Arugula Salad. For the main course, chose a dish that starts with a "B," such as Braised Chicken. Finally, finish off your baby shower meal with the letter "C," which of course stands for cake! Or cupcakes, if you prefer. Choose either an ABC block cake or ABC cupcakes.

Games: Keep with the ABC baby shower theme by giving each guest a print out of the alphabet. Start a timer and see who can fill the list with words related pregnancy, new baby, and parenting. The first, second, and third guests to complete the alphabet win a prize. Have each winner stand up and read the entire list to the group. Offer the first, second, and third place winners a bookstore gift card, or one one of three current bestseller books as a prize.

Colleen Dowd contributed this piece to Holidash via Seed. To learn more about becoming a Holidash contributor, visit Seed.com.