Baby Shower Ideas

Planning a baby shower is a lot of fun. The best part is your efforts bring joy to the mama-to-be's heart, and creates precious memories she'll never forget. Listed below are some baby shower ideas for the invitations, decorations, food, and gifts for Mama; all at a cost that won't break the bank.

If Mama is planning on decorating the nursery in a certain motif (Giraffes, teddy bears, rainbows etc.) coordinate all aspects of the baby shower along the same theme. If she doesn't, simply choose one you think she'll enjoy.

Specialty shops offer a wide selection of baby shower decorations and party favors include coordinating invitations and thank you cards, but can be a bit pricey. Keep expenses low, ($3.00/$5.00 total per guest) by shopping at your local dollar store or department store for better deals. You could also design and create your own invitations and decorations with supplies purchased from an arts and crafts retailer and still stay within the same cost frame.

If designing your own invitations, include the location, date and time of the event as well as some gift ideas for Mama, and note if she has a baby registry. Something like this will work just fine:

You are cordially invited to join us on (Date) as we celebrate Cathy's leap into parenthood. We will gather at (Establishment including address) at (Time). Cathy has chosen (Theme) or Cathy is registered at (Store Mama is registered at if any). We will serve a potluck lunch (Or appetizers/finger foods) and would welcome a special dish prepared by you to share. Please R.S.V.P. to (Contact number). We look forward to celebrating this very special time in Cathy's life with you.

Include a separate slip of paper with gift ideas. While there are endless choices for gifts, be sure to include something personal for Mama like bubble bath, aromatherapy soaps or a gift certificate to a spa.

Design Mama's thank you notes using the same theme used for the invitations.

Whether you're hosting the baby shower at someone's home or in a rented hall, think party, party, party when decorating.

Using a heavy gauge wire, shape an archway over the chair Mama will sit in to open her gifts. Decorate it with balloons, flowers, baby shoes, bows or a combination of all. Hang streamers and balloons all around the room. Cover the tables with either disposable or linen table clothes, and sprinkle some confetti on top. Party favors can be placed in front if each chair and candles are a nice touch to any theme; be certain to monitor open flames.

To create a table that's a little off the beaten path, choose transparent table covers and place pictures of babies and nursery items underneath them.
Place a service setting for each guest on the tables. (Be sure there are enough plates, beverage glasses, napkins and utensils for all guests plus 10 extras as a back-up)

Whether you're preparing the food yourself or asking guests to bring a dish, inform everyone of food allergies (If any) that anyone may have. Special dishes can be prepared for these guests.

There's really no wrong choice when choosing what food to serve. Finger sandwiches coupled with a veggie and fruit tray with accompanying dips are always a hit, as well as a pot luck consisting of hot home-made dishes, fruit, rolls, salads, and a veggie tray. Offer both hot and cold beverages, and for dessert, purchase/bake a special cake that symbolizes the event. Serve it with at least 2 varieties of ice cream.

No party is complete without games to play. While there are lots of options I'll list just three.

Question and answer game
Comprise a list of motherly questions like, how many diapers does the average baby go through in a week? What's the longest period of time you've gone without sleep because the little one refused to quiet down at bedtime? What's the most common boy/girl name? Have everyone write their answers down and see who gets the most correct.

Truth or consequences
Ask questions relevant to motherhood. Were you terrified at the thought of going through labor? What's the cruelest thing you said while in labor and who did you say it to? I'll leave you to your own imagination when it comes to the consequences.

Motherhood hangman
Using a chalk-board or an easel with paper pined to it, play a few rounds of hangman using only words/phrases relevant to motherhood.

Giving out prizes isn't required, but if you choose to do so, keep them simple.

And there you have it, a baby shower that the mama-to-be will recall for years to come, doesn't tug to hard on your purse strings and has that personal touch to it.