Baby Shower Ideas

Incorporating a theme in your baby shower is optional but it can help you coordinate the various aspects of your party. A theme can also make gift hunting easier for guests. If you know the mom-to-be will be enjoying several showers, you may want to narrow the scope of your party to provide her with gifts she won't receive elsewhere.
Simple themes often work best, such as ones centered on a traditional symbol of a newborn. The following are creative suggestions for invitations, decorations, gift ideas, activities, and food. Remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money. The best party details may be those you make yourself. Consider how certain ideas might work independently of any particular theme or mix and match various ideas to create your own theme.

Diaper Shower
Diapers are the quintessential baby fashion accessory, so why not make them the focus of your party?

Write party details on a sheet of stationery. Fold it to resemble a tri-fold diaper and fasten it with a gold safety pin. Or fold and fasten a piece of white or pastel flannel. Write party details on a cardstock postcard and insert it into the cloth diaper.
For a centerpiece, diaper a potted plant or vase of flowers with a piece of baby-themed fabric. Secure the fabric with diaper pins. Give the centerpiece to the mom-to-be after the party. Also, you can stuff silverware into folded diaper napkins.

You can also make a diaper cake. To make one, open one disposable diaper and roll it up. Open a second diaper and wrap it around the first. Continue rolling diapers to form even layers. Secure the finished "cake" with tape and curling ribbon. Decorate with baby essentials such as pacifiers or stuffed toys. Roll other small gifts between the diapers if you wish.

Teddy Bear Shower
Nothing is as cuddly as a new baby or a teddy bear. Combine the two for a shower that will leave guests feeling warm and fuzzy.

Make or buy cards shaped like a bear. Write party details on them and attach them to a small stuffed bear. Hand-deliver or mail each invitation. If you’re mailing the invitation, cut air holes in the box and label it with a phrase like, "Please don't feed the bear."

Invite guests to bring a favorite teddy bear. Use them as decorations. As an icebreaker, have each guest tell a story about his or her bear. Award prizes for the funniest bear names or stories.

Challenge guests to give gifts that either are bare essentials or are bear-related, such as a sleeper with a bear motif, teddy bear for the baby, or a sexy teddy for the mom-to-be.

Family Tree Shower
This shower is a great way to celebrate the budding of a new branch on the family tree. Design family trees on cardstock. Write party details on the leaves.

For a centerpiece, create a family tree by sticking branches from an ornamental or flowering tree in a vase weighted with sand or marbles. Hang baby-related items such as rattles, toys, or booties, from the branches. Or if the guests are primarily relatives, hang a small, framed baby photo of each from the tree, using pink and blue ribbons.
Challenge guests to identify the babies. Give the tree to the mom-to-be after the party.
As a group gift, give a gift certificate to a tree nursery, where the expectant parents can find the perfect tree to plant in their baby's honor.

Shower for Multiples
For the couple expecting more than one baby, a shower that provides items in multiples will always be welcome.

Make a paper chain invitation that features the anticipated number of babies.
Have the same number of centerpieces as there are expected babies. If you know the babies' sexes, arrange the centerpieces in corresponding colors. Decorate with baby paper chains.

Many parents of multiples struggle just to provide the basics for their children. The following are items that these parents need most. Keep in mind that some parents of multiples may appreciate "frivolous" gifts for their little ones even more than practical ones.
Pool funds to buy an expensive item, such as an extra car seat, swing, crib, highchair, or play equipment for the yard. A stroller designed for multiples is also an ideal gift. (Note: Side-by-side strollers don't fit through doorways easily.) Remember that this equipment will receive multiple uses, so quality and durability are important.
Every piece of baby clothing (including shoes) will be needed in multiples. Ask the expectant parents how they feel about dressing the babies alike. Some wouldn't dream of it, while others can't wait. Share their feelings with guests.

Baby Shower Favors
As busy as you’ll be planning a baby shower, you might be tempted to forget giving a favor to your guests. But favors provide a way to say thank you to your guests for attending your party, and they give them something to remember the event.
Taking care of the party favors and prizes for the shower you're hosting can be simple and fun. Your guests aren't coming to the shower to walk away with armloads of gifts, so small mementoes that cost very little are fine. The same party stores that carry goodie bag items for children's birthday parties sell a wide assortment of key chains, candy, mini pacifiers, pens, magnets and more. Another solution is to make your own favors. Here are a few homemade favors you can create:

Certificates of Achievement. Print up some "Certificates of Achievement" for people who win the games you play. Depending on the games these can be for the person with the best memory, the best guess, the funniest drawing… whatever games you choose to play. Be creative and come up with certificates suitable to the games you're playing. Leave a blank line on the certificate for the person's name.

Bookmarks. You can print and laminate your own bookmarks. They can be as elaborate as a collage of photos (people, animals, nature) or designs from clip art.

Food. Make cookies, brownies, or other sweets wrapped in translucent wrapping paper to present as a prize or favor. Popcorn also works, and if you want to put in the time, homemade jellies or breads are welcomed prizes.

Winner’s Photos. Have an instant camera on hand and take photos of the prize winners with the guest of honor. Each prize winner gets a photo to take home.

Jewelry. If you have children who enjoy making jewelry, have them create an assortment of beaded jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and key chains. Place all of these in a basket by the door and let your guests pick their favorites.

Gift Baskets. Create small gift baskets with assorted items such as soaps, lotions and bath beads. Or, if your tastes are on the gourmet side, try an arrangement of shortbread cookies, chocolates and tea.

Whether you decide to buy or make your favors, your party favors don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Something simple and from the heart is a perfect favor for any baby shower.

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