Ten Tips for Planning a Unique Baby Shower

Personalize the Party. Does the mom-to-be have a favorite color, movie, or hobby? There is no reason the party has to be decorated in pinks or blues or with rattles and ducks. If the mom-to-be's favorite color is purple, run with it! If their favorite film is Twilight, consider having vampire rubber duckies as party favors and red as the prominent color of the day.

Theme your Cusuine. Skip the traditional finger sandwiches and cakes and have an Italian style baby shower with pasta dishes and cannolis, or a Mexican fiest with a taco bar and churros.

Hold a Pre-Contest. Want to inspire guests to bring the expectant mother diapers or some other staple needed? Announce a competition in the invitation, offering surprise giveaways to the person who brings the greatest number of diapers, wipes or other items, and perhaps have prizes for the runner-ups, too. The mom-to-be will get the much needed, handy items and the guests will have fun from the get go!

Host the Baby Shower in a Non-Traditional Setting. Pack a picnic lunch spread and take the shower to the park. Or host the shower at the zoo, a pizza parlor, or another fun location to add variety to a day everyone will be certain to remember!

Make an Advice Book. Put your words of wisdom into a booklet form (easily created on your home computer or with the help of a print shop.) Then add a number of blank pages in the book for all the baby shower guests to add their sage words of advice. This is a book the mom-to-be will treasure and a great way to "mark" the occasion.

Allow the Other "Guys" to Attends. Who says that baby showers can only be attended by women? Throw a night-time shower complete with games and party fun suitable for both genders and have a great guys and gals baby shower night out.

Share a Little Bit of the Past. Have each guest bring a sentimental keepsake from their first baby or from their birth. Display the items on a decorated table. This will offer a fun trip down memory lane for all.

Take the Mom-to-be Shopping. If you have a small group for baby shower guests, have everyone meet at a designated store and purchase the expectant mother guift certificates for the store or present her with a money envelope that everyone has contributed to. The shop the day away helping her pick out colors and features for the items she selects.

Have the Baby Shower After the Baby is Born. Why not shower gifts on the little one after he/she is born? Especially, if the baby is a second or third child in the family. They are less likely to need items up front and the parents will have a better idea of needs, plus the baby can partake in the event! Or, consider having a Before and After Baby Shower. Host one for helping the new mom out with essentials such as car seats and diapers, and the second as a "welcome the baby" shower where guests can less practical and more frivalous gifts, if they wish.

Have a Paporatzi Party. Treat the mom-to-be like a movie star and roll out the red carpet. Place disposable cameras at each table and designate a videographer to video tape the big event. Instead of traditional party favor, have mini-swag bags to hand out filled with fun and inexpensive items such as lip gloss, candy, and play jewelry. The marquee sign is the limit, pull out all the Hollywood stops and treat the expectant mom to a memorable "opening" night.