The Baby Shower Planning Blog

First entries in the baby shower cakes contest!

2010-04-29T10:42:00.003-04:00

I recently started a baby shower cakes contest on my site. And I'm excited to have received my first 2 entries! The first one (pic to the left) is an orange lily cake with a cute baby girl in the center. Every inch of this cake is edible!

The second entry is a blue and white baby shower cake, decorated with a blue onesie with the baby's name on it (pic below).

If you want to learn more about how these cakes were made, or if you want to add your own entry to this contest, check out the baby shower cakes page on my site. There's a $50 visa gift card up for grabs! The contest ends on June 4, 2010.

Free printable baby shower invitations

2010-02-16T11:21:00.002-05:00

Saving money is so important these days, when you're trying to plan any type of celebration. As you probably already know, I am a big fan of ordering customized baby shower invitations for stores like Tiny Prints. But, if you're looking for a more affordable option, consider making your own invitations at home.

I recently posted some new printable baby shower invitations on my site. Each template has 2 options, a pre-worded template, or a blank template that you can customize yourself.

Enjoy, and happy baby shower planning!

The Baby Shower Cakes Contest starts today!

2010-01-28T09:39:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking for some cute and creative baby shower cakes to display on my baby shower website. Have you ever made a baby shower cake before? Did everyone at the party simply "ooh" and "ahh" over your creation?

Then you should enter my baby shower cakes contest for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. All you have to do is follow the link for full instructions on entering the contest. Once you enter, I will review your submission and put your cake photo live on my site.

Then, once the contest is over (on March 26, 2010), I will select a winner based on the design and overally creativity. And best of all, the winning creation will be featured on my site, and the designer gets $50!!

I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

Baby shower party supplies

2009-08-05T19:23:00.004-04:00

I've searched my favorite baby shower stores for the best party essentials: invites, decorations, cake supplies, diaper cakes, favors, games, and gifts for both baby and mommy. If you still have shopping to do for your party, or you need a gift, visit the baby shower party supplies page.

While you're browsing, remember to keep these quick shopping tips in mind:

1. If you're a hostess, consider the baby shower decorating kits as an alternative to buying all your decorations separately. The kits come with a complete set of tableware (including a tablecloth for your head table), balloons, banner and streamers. A lot of the kits also have matching invitations and thank you cards.

2. If you are going to be a guest at a baby shower and you need a gift, the most important thing to remember is the baby's gender. Rule of thumb is pinks for girls and blues for boys. Not saying you have to stick with those colors only, but use them as a basis. If you're just stuck on what to get for the baby, buy a baby shower gift for mom instead.

3. Don't wait til the last minute to go shopping! Whether you're a hostess or a guest, it's always best to start looking around early. If you wait until the last minute, you may be rushed into getting something that you are not as happy with.

If you're looking for more tips and suggestions on baby shower shopping, or if you want to offer your own expertise, participate in the Q & A Forum.

Essential Baby Sprinkle Gift Ideas

2009-07-27T15:00:00.002-04:00

Most likely, if you receive a baby sprinkle invitation in the mail, it will pretty much tell you what kinds of gifts to bring.

Why? Because the whole purpose of a “sprinkle” is to not only celebrate the coming of another child, but to also stray away from the unnecessary gifts like baby furniture and lots of clothes.

Just in case your hostess does not specify what type of gifts to bring to a baby sprinkle, I’ve put together a list of 5 essential gifts for this type of celebration. Everything on the list is a crucial must-have for a new baby and the parents.

Diapers – All babies need them; tons of them! Don’t just buy the newborn ones either. Babies need diapers well into the toddler years. *Tip* - buy a diaper cake and you’ll be giving a gift that's not only useful, but beautiful to look at!

Wipes – If you have kids of your own, you know what it’s like to almost run out of wipes. For every diaper the parents use, they’ll use anywhere from 2 to 5 wipes.

Baby food – Even if the mom is planning to breastfeed, she’ll still need plenty of food for her growing baby. A baby food gift basket would be a great gesture.

Baby bath and lotion – This is another useful gift idea that can be presented as a gift basket. Include a few washcloths and baby bath toys to the collection.

Onesies – The parents might have some left over from the other children, but onesies can get messy fast. Many parents use them not only as undergarments, but also as “around the house” clothing for the baby. Babies tend to get food and other stains on their clothes. And a lot of them just get thrown away if the stains don’t come out.

Rule of thumb for selecting baby sprinkle gifts – stay away from the big and unnecessary stuff. You are more than welcome to buy nursery décor, cute outfits, toys, etc. But you don’t want to overcrowd the home with stuff the parents will have no room for. If you know they already have a crib, don’t overload them with another one.

Remember that the idea here is to “sprinkle” the baby and mom-to-be with gifts.

Quick and Easy Tips for a Bar-B-Que Baby Shower

2009-07-17T14:26:00.003-04:00

So, summertime is here and judging by this heat, looks like it's not going anywhere for another couple of months! What says "it's Summer" better than an old-fashioned bar-b-que? If you know someone who's having a baby soon, that's a perfect theme for her baby shower. Check out these useful tips to help make your bar-b-que baby shower a success:

1. Serve great cookout food.
Make sure your menu include the classic bar-b-que items. Serve hot dogs, burgers, grilled chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, and garden salad. For dessert, serve cold stuff to give your guests some relief from the heat. And don't forget some punch and lemonade.

2. Display cool centerpieces.
You want to make sure your guest feel like they're at a cookout as well as a baby shower. So make sure you incorporate baby stuff into your decorations. For your centerpieces, take plush dolls or teddy bears and dress them up with an apron and chef hat.

3. Bar-b-Que themed party favors.
If men will be attending the shower, give them baby bottles filled with bar-b-que sauce or dry spices. For the women, give them scented insect repellent candles or baby bottles filled with chocolate candies.

4. Choose a nice open space.
Obviously, you'll want to have a bar-b-que outside, and your backyard would be the perfect location. If that's not an option, look into having the party at a community park or at the beach.

5. Have a solid back-up plan in case it rains!
Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the party. But just in case the forecast calls for a chance of rain, make sure you can quickly change the party's location. If you're having the shower in your backyard, you can easily move it indoors. If you're going to a park, lots of public parks have indoor recreation centers. But make sure you find out if you are allowed to use the facility first.

And there you have it - everything you need to know for planning an awesome bar-b-que baby shower.

Happy Planning!

Is it tacky to give cash as a baby shower gift?

2009-02-09T11:20:00.003-05:00

For any gift giving occasion, many would argue that giving cash as a gift is a little too impersonal. To some, giving cash implies that you didn’t take time to actually look for a gift, or you didn’t put any thought into it. It’s basically a quick fix.

Despite what most people think, more and more people are resorting to this idea as a baby shower gift. I think it has a lot to do with our current economic situation. People are realizing that times aren’t as easy as they used to be. We’re straying away from the “cutsey” unnecessary gifts like personalized Lenox, and opting instead for diapers, baby formula, etc.

People always want to give the best present for a new baby, and I always tell people to go for what a baby needs, not what the mom wants for her baby, or what you think would be "so cute" for the baby. For example, A cute Easter outfit is a great gift, but a pack of diapers and wipes would be much more useful.

I actually think giving cash is a great gift idea. Imagine if you had 20 guests at your baby shower and each of them gave you $20 (average price of a gift). That’s $400 for your new baby! You can do a lot more with $400 as opposed to a porcelain photo frame or a "designer" car seat.

Of course, you can always give gift cards too, which are pretty much as good as cash. The only catch is that the card will have to be used at a specific store. If you are considering a gift card, go with a Visa card. They are accepted everywhere.

*If you were expecting a baby, what types of gifts would you rather get at your baby shower – clothes, toys and collectibles, or a stack of cash? Do you think it’s tacky to give cash as a baby shower gift?

Reusable baby shower decorations

2008-08-04T18:54:00.003-04:00

Are you planning a baby shower and looking for ways to make your money stretch? Consider these baby shower decoration ideas that incorporate common baby items which can be reused after the celebration is over:

Washcloths for napkins – neatly fold them into a triangle and place them next to your plates. Provide disposable napkins and inform your guests that the washcloths are just for show.

Socks for a rose bouquet – Visit this page to learn how to make a rose bouquet out of reusable baby socks. This makes a great table centerpiece.

Baby bottles, pacifiers, booties for paper weights – You can use any small baby item that’s heavy enough to hold balloons. Fill small bottles with candies, marbles, etc, and tie the balloon string around the bottle, just under the nipple. A pacifier is a bit lighter, so you can use that for just one balloon. Make a few with pacifiers and place them randomly around the room. For baby booties, place a pair of booties next to each other and tie the balloon string around the shoe laces.

Baby clothesline for streamer or banner – Use a bunch of baby clothes, booties, bibs, etc. and create a line to hang across the room. Have your guests decorate some onesies and use those too.

Baby blanket as a tablecloth for gift table – Use a nice, fluffy fleece blanket to drape your gift table. If the table is too big for one blanket, use a crib sheet, which is a bit larger.

Diaper cake – This is the ultimate reusable piece of décor. You can buy a diaper cake or make your own. Either way, use it as your centerpiece for the head table, and make sure the cake is made with usable diapers that the mom can use for future use.

How would you create reusable baby shower decorations?
Click here to share your ideas

Baby shower cake alternatives

2008-07-24T08:50:00.004-04:00

Let’s face it, baby shower cakes are cute to look at but expensive to buy. Unless you have superb baking and cake decorating skills, chance are you will have to purchase a pricy cake for your celebration. Depending on how many people are on your guest list, a small sheet cake from your local grocer might suffice. But if you want something more elaborate, or you need to feed tons of people, start thinking about alternatives to a baby shower cake.

Baby shower cupcakes - You can easily get 24 cupcakes from one box of cake mix and one package of icing. Even if you need to use two boxes of mix, you’ll still spend a lot less than buying a cake for a fancy bakery. You can buy a cupcake stand or just place your cupcakes on a serving sheet. And you can use different colored icing to match your theme. Why not use the cupcakes to make an activity for your guests? Before you guys eat them, see who can decorate them the best.

Cookie tray – Another great and cheap alternative to a fancy baby cake. Chances are, you already have almost everything you need to make cookies from scratch in your kitchen. Whatever you don’t have, you can get it for next to nothing at the supermarket. Let’s say you’re having 30 people, make an assortment of chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, and oatmeal raisin (or whatever you think your guests will like). About 60 cookies is more than enough for 30 people. Neatly arrange your cookies on a round or oval cookie tray.

Cheesecake tray – This is a good alternative if you’re only having a few people. You can find a cheesecake variety tray at any supermarket for about $10. I would suggest buying two, in case anyone wants seconds. Of course, you can use this alternative no matter how many people you’re having, but cheesecake is a bit expensive, so it’s best suited to feed only a few people.

Practically any dessert can be used as a substitute for a baby shower cake, if it is presented the right way. Make sure your main dessert is the main attraction of the food table. The three listed above are my favorite choices. With each of these options, they are easy to prepare (or cheap to buy), and you can offer a variety of choices to your guests.

Do you have a cool baby shower recipe or food idea to share?
Click here to tell us about it!

Cool baby shower traditions

2008-07-22T12:06:00.003-04:00

Here are a few traditional baby shower ideas that you can use to add a special touch to your celebration. All of these activities have been practiced for many, many years. And they are just as much fun today as they were in the past.

Don’t say baby game – This is by far the most popular baby shower game. It’s a good way to get all your guests to participate, it’s easy, and it’s fun. All you have to do is give your guests a diaper or clothes pin as they arrive for the party. Once everyone has a pin, announce that the game is starting. If someone hears someone else say the word “baby”, whoever said the word has to give up their pin! The object of the game is to acquire as many pins as possible. You will decide how long the game will last. Usually, this game is good enough to go on until the end of the celebration.

Baby shower hat – As the gifts are being unwrapped, tear off a piece of the wrapping paper from each gift. If there is a gift bag, just use a piece of the tissue paper. You can also use ribbons. Take a paper plate and tape or glue all the pieces of paper and ribbons to the plate. Punch a hole on each side of the plate and insert a piece of string. Put the hat on the guest of honor’s head and tie it around the chin. Make sure you take a picture of this, and then store the hat away as a keepsake.

Advice book or tip jar – This is another great way to get your guests involved. All they have to do is write down a small piece of advice for the new mom in a book or on pieces of paper (for the jar). She can keep this for future reference to help with those busy mommy days.

Keepsake box – You’ll want to make sure you save a little piece of absolutely everything from the shower. This includes streamers, tablecloth, tableware, favors, gift wrap, papers from any games you played, etc. Store everything in a keepsake box so that the new mom will always have it to reminisce.

Cake keepsake – Before you start cutting the cake, make sure you cut around whatever part the mom wants to keep. Usually the guest of honor wants either the baby’s name if written on the cake, or whatever graphic is on the cake. Tightly wrap the cake and freeze it. Serve the rests to yourself and your guests.

Happy planning!

The slumber bear - the best baby shower present ever??

2008-06-27T09:23:00.005-04:00

I was talking to my best friend the other day about her newborn baby. All is well with both of them! But the mom cannot get her baby to stay asleep unless someone is holding her.

If you know someone who is going through this with their baby, or if you’re experiencing it yourself, don’t worry. The baby is not over-spoiled. ALL babies have trouble falling asleep if they’re not being held.

Why, they’ve spent 9 long months in the womb, surrounded by water and all sorts of creative noises. So they’ve gotten used to it. Nothing would put a newborn baby to sleep better than the soothing sounds of the womb.

So what’s the best baby shower present ever? The Slumber Bear

This cute and cuddly bear is much more that just a plush toy. It’s a battery operated toy that offers all the sounds a baby hears before birth. All you have to do is attach the bear to the rail of the crib and turn the device on. It will start to make all those weird but soothing noises, and your baby will be fast asleep.

In addition to that, the device has an auto shut-off mode and it can detect motion. Once the bear turns off (when it thinks your baby has fallen asleep), it will turn back on again if the baby moves or starts crying!

Check out amazon.com for great deals on the Slumber Bear. Every new parent needs one!

Got baby shower questions?

2008-05-30T11:53:00.003-04:00

Are you in the midst of planning a baby shower and don’t know what to do next? I get plenty of emails every day about the do’s and don’ts of planning a shower. Some people don’t know were to hold the shower, when to send the invites, what to wear to a shower, etc.

So I thought it would be a good idea to start a baby shower questions forum so we can help each other out. This forum is the perfect place for all hostesses, guests and parents-to-be to get informed and share their knowledge with others.

The good thing about this forum is that you do not have to register or login. And in addition to asking questions, you can also answer or comment on questions that have already been posted.

Ready to join the Q & A forum? Click here for instant access. You can jump right in and ask a question, browse around through current entries.

Remember, the idea here is to help and be helped. Enjoy!

Baby sprinkle invitation etiquette

2008-05-20T15:28:00.004-04:00

Baby sprinkles are small-scale baby showers that are specifically reserved for children after the first born. The purpose of this type of shower is to focus on giving the mom to be to small necessities for her new baby, as opposed to the big stuff she already received with baby number one.

So, if you’re throwing a baby sprinkle, make sure you let your guests know that in the invitations. The guests can certainly buy whatever gift they choose, but stress to them, in a nice way, that the mom-to-be has a greater need for certain gifts.

Follow these pointers as a guide for writing your sprinkle invitations:

*Make sure the invitation clearly says “baby sprinkle” and not “baby shower”. This will automatically let your guests know that this will be not quite the same as a shower.

*Use cute baby sayings to stress gift ideas, and to subtly explain the difference between a sprinkle and a shower. Here’s an example:

Bibs, diapers, and bottles galore
The Johnson family is having one more.
All their other kids have plenty to share,
But we still want to show the new baby we care.

The new baby won’t need a playpen or crib.
So just bring the small stuff like bottles and a bib.
Remember it’s a baby sprinkle indeed,
A light showering of things that the baby will need.

More baby sprinkle invitation ideas here.

*Be creative! This is probably the hard part, but it can be done. Use a play on words and try to think of regular words that rhyme with baby words. A good way of doing this is to use an online dictionary to generate rhyming words and syllables for you.

*Lastly, don’t forget to include the basics of an invitation. The cute baby sayings are nice, but it won’t mean anything if your guests don’t have the specifics about the party. Make sure they know who the guest of honor is, the date, time, place, and RSVP info for the baby sprinkle.

Now that you have something to go on, get started on those baby sprinkle invites, and best wishes!

How far along should she be?

2008-05-19T15:50:00.005-04:00

Sometimes a hostess or mom-to-be is not sure of the appropriate time to have a baby shower during a pregnancy. As with all things dealing with baby shower etiquette, nothing is set in stone. Most showers are usually held during the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. You can have the party earlier that that, but here are a few reasons why you should hold off until the third trimester.

1. Give the parents time to adjust. Once they find out they’re having a baby, they’re sure to be shocked, whether they were trying to get pregnant or not. Give them some time to spread the news to family and friends at their own pace, and adjust to the overall changes of being pregnant. You don’t want to overwhelm the mom-to-be with a baby shower too soon.

2. Wait until they find out the sex of the baby. Nowadays, there are plenty of gender-neutral baby shower themes, but lots of hostesses like to select a theme or choose decorations and favors that are gender specific.

3. Give her time to create a registry. After she finds out the sex of the baby, the mom-to-be can take time to create her wish list. She’ll need time to think about decorations for the nursery, clothes, toys, etc.

4. A very pregnant mom makes for great pictures!! Taking pictures is one of the most important aspects of throwing a good baby shower. Guests love to take pics with the pregnant guest of honor. Her belly can also be used for some great games.

5. Having a shower late in the game adds excitement. The baby shower signifies that the baby is almost here. It’s kind of like the kick-off to “crunch time” for the parents. If you throw the shower just a month or 2 before her due date, you add to her anticipation of meeting her new baby.

It’s not imperative that you wait for her third trimester, but be sure not to have the shower too late either. Do not plan too close to her due date because, as we already know, that date is not 100% accurate. You don’t want to risk her going into labor shortly before the party. You’ll have to change the date if that happens. She probably won’t be up to a party right after giving birth.

Do you have questions or concerns about an upcoming baby shower?
Click here to add your question to the baby shower Q & A Forum

Cool favor ideas for a Safari Baby Shower

2008-05-16T09:40:00.004-04:00

During the spring and summer months, the Safari theme is one of the most popular for a baby shower. People love the baby animal decorations, the greens and browns that remind them of the great outdoors, and the great party favors that go well with this theme.

Why do the guests look forward to the favors? Because they are a constant reminder of a wonderful celebration. Baby shower favors are quite versatile. You can use lots of favors for any theme idea. But some favors seem to be meant for some themes.

Here’s my pick for the top 5 safari baby shower party favors.

Plush toys and thank you notes – Buy some small safari animal plush toys, a pack of small blank greeting cards, a 1-hole puncher, and some colorful ribbon. On each card, write something like “Thanks for coming to Lisa’s baby shower”. Punch a hole in the corner of the card (near the fold) and make sure the hole goes through each side of the card. Then, use the ribbon to tie the card around the neck of the plush toy. Get a variety of animals, and use ribbons that match whatever color scheme you’ve chosen.

Baby elephant soaps – At any dollar store you can find cute soaps in a variety of shapes and colors. Buy some small baskets, cellophane and ribbon. Put about 5 soaps in each basket and use the cellophane and ribbon to tie it.

Personalized mini water bottles – This is a nice favor that will keep your guests cool in the warm weather. You can find plenty of online stores that specialize in printing personalized labels, candy bar wrappers, stationary, etc. Your labels can say something like “Lisa’s baby shower – May 16, 2008”, or “Lisa’s little animal will be here soon!” Buy some small spring water bottles and replace the labels with your personalized ones. Or, you can order bottles with the labels already attached. Tie a piece of ribbon around the top of the bottle, and make sure the ribbon color matches your theme.

Decorated cookie – Make animal shaped sugar cookies and decorate them with frosting. You can simply outline the cookie with colorful frosting, or write something like “Lisa’s safari baby shower” on it. Wrap the cookie in cellophane or plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.

Personalized candle tins – There are plenty of online stores that sell basic candle tins with personalized stickers. You can choose from a variety of pictures to go on your sticker, and you can create your own wording. You can simply put the parents’ names, date of the shower, the baby’s name (if known), etc. Present the favors in a small gift bags that match the colors of your decorations.

All these favor ideas are perfect for the safari theme, but you’re not limited to the suggestions above. Let your imagination run wild and be sure to shop around before making a selection.

Keep in mind when you’re shopping for favors that you can always find great stuff at the dollar store. If you want something personalized, you’ll most likely have to order something online.

Happy Planning!

What to do with children at a baby shower

2008-05-15T10:54:00.002-04:00

Many people think it’s the norm to have just adult women (sometimes men) at a baby shower. But you would be surprised at how many people bring their kids along for the party.

It’s likely that the kids will end up running around, finding things to get into themselves. But as the hostess, you should find ways to get them involved in the rest of the guests’ activities. What better way to do that than with great baby shower games?!?

Of course, the kids can play any game you choose, but there are a few that they may enjoy more than others. I’ve listed a few games that children will love, and the adults can participate as well:

Baby shower anagram – Give everyone a piece of paper and something to write with. See how many baby words they can make out of the words “baby shower”. This can also be a learning game for the kids.

Act out a story – This is a great game for the kids to be in the spotlight. Have one of the adult guests read a children's story, such as “Little Red Riding Hood”. As the guest is reading, the kids will act it out. Make sure the guest reads only about 2 lines at a time, and give the kids time to act out that part before moving on. If there are enough kids, you can group them into teams for this game.

Bottle bowling – Line up 10 baby bottles as if they were bowling pins. Roll a small ball and knock down as many bottles as you can.

Those are my 3 top baby shower games for kids, but as I said before, they can participate in any game you want your guests to play. But keep in mind that kids like to be busy. If you have the room, play action games with the kids.

Also remember that the kids deserve game prizes too. I would suggest instead of giving prizes to the winner, just give all the kids a small gift just because they participated.

Another note…

We all know that eventually you’ll get tired of the kids running around all over the place. Keep a stock of writing games, coloring books, and other activities that kids can do while seated at a table. You can even reserve a table as a “kids corner” somewhere in the room.

Best location for a baby shower

2008-05-14T10:38:00.003-04:00

I often get emails sent to my baby shower website asking what's the best place to hold a baby shower.

I always tell people that I am a big fan of having baby showers in someone's home. Having a get-together at your house always creates that intimate and loving feeling. And, it gives you the flexibility to do any type of set-up or decorating that suits your needs.

But, some people prefer to have a baby shower elsewhere for a variety of reasons; too many people coming, they want the party to be outside, they don't feel like doing the cooking and clean-up, etc.

So, if you are having a hard time trying to decide where to host a baby shower, other than your house, take a look at these suggestions:

Church - For some, church is a second home. Lots of churches have recreational and dining halls that can be used by church members. And if the church does have a dining hall, it will most likely have a full kitchen too. This is a great idea if your baby shower will incorporate a spiritual/religious theme, such as "Noah's Ark" or "Little Lamb".

The Park - If your party will be during the spring or summer months, why not take the party outside and enjoy the nice weather? All you really need is a long folding table, or a few round outdoor tables (you can find inexpensive ones at your local market), and some chairs. Don't be afraid to ask some of your guests if they have furniture that they can contribute. Having a baby shower in the park is great for someone who wants an informal gathering, and who likes the outdoors. One thing I should mention about this idea, you should have a back-up plan in case it rains! Make sure you have a second location in mind in case you need to make changes at the last minute.

A restaurant - First, this option will be more costly than the first two. But don't let that discourage you. Restaurant baby showers are an excellent idea if you don't have time to prepare food before hand. Lots of places offer private rooms, or you can request to have your guests seated in a secluded corner. You can even put up some decorations - tablecloth, a few balloons and streamers, etc. Make sure you start planning early if you're thinking about a restaurant baby shower. You'll have to get a lot of info from the establishment to make sure you're okay with their policies.

As I said earlier, having a baby shower at home is the way to go in my opinion. But whatever location you choose, just make sure your guest of honor will be comfortable. Don't spend more money than you have too, and definitely start planning early.

If you have a baby shower question you want to ask, click here to post it on the baby shower Q & A forum. No need to log in, just type your question and submit it. Once it is reviewed and posted live, other visitors can help you out with all your baby shower needs.

The best in baby shower invitations

2008-04-14T20:51:00.003-04:00

Baby shower invitations come in a variety of colors, styles and themes. And tinyprints.com is THE place to find tons of selections all in one place. In addition to their invitations, they also carry birth announcements, baptism announcements, gift tags, address labels, and much more.

The best thing about tinyprints.com is that you can personalize your invitations any way you want. Choose from one of their pre-designed and pre-worded cards, or create your own and add your own picture.

What could be better? Yes, you will pay a little more for custom invites as opposed to buying cards from a stationary store. But the few extra bucks are worth it.

Remember, you want to place a lasting impressions in someone's mind and heart when they open your card in the mail. Personalization will surely accomplish that!

Best themes for a Baby Sprinkle Baby Shower

2008-04-02T09:47:00.005-04:00

Lots of parents-to-be do not want to have a full blown baby shower for a 2nd, 3rd, etc. child. So they have what’s known as a baby sprinkle instead.

Any theme is appropriate for a baby sprinkle, but there are some that do work better than others. You want to choose a theme that focuses on gift giving – of a certain type. Since the baby sprinkle is for children after the firstborn, you want to subtly let your guests know that you do not need as much stuff this time around. Nowadays, most of us re-use baby items – furniture, safety items, bedding, etc.

Let your guests help you with the stuff that you will have to buy all over again, not the stuff you already have.

Here are my favorite baby sprinkle themes:

Little library: This theme focuses on education. The idea is to have all your guests bring baby books as gifts, so the parents can start building a “little library” for the child.

Around the clock: When you send invitations for this theme, you will tell the guests to bring a gift that’s associated with a certain time of day. For instance, whoever gets the 12:00pm invitation can bring in a baby’s blanket for naptime, and the person with the 8:00am can bring something for bath time. Do not tell your guests what gift to bring. Let them decide what baby item is appropriate for a certain time of day.

Sip and see: This is an easy theme also, and should be used for celebrating after the baby is born. Sparingly use decorations around the room, and provide lots of appetizers and beverages for your guests. Let them meet the newborn and mingle with each other. This is a good theme for a laid-back mom. You can play games and do activities, but that is optional. If the celebration is in the spring or summer months, take it to the backyard and have a bar-b-que sip and see.

So, now you know my pics for the perfect theme ideas.

What’s your favorite baby sprinkle theme? Visit my website and share you thoughts.

More that one baby shower hostess?

2008-03-25T10:18:00.001-04:00

Even if you only have a few people on your guest list, hosting a baby shower can end up being pretty pricy. Depending on what you choose for party favors, food, centerpieces, etc., you could end up spending more than you bargained for.

So what’s the solution?

Split the hostess duties with someone else.

Any one of these people can help you plan:

Best friend

Sister

Cousin

Mother-in-law

Grandmother

Aunt

Niece

Anyone else close to the guest of honor

By doing this, you can split the cost of everything in half. And you can split the responsibilities. Let the other hostess be in charge of decorations and favors, and you can handle the food and centerpieces.

Having more than one hostess is especially beneficial if you’re throwing a last minute celebration. Let’s say you only have a couple of weeks to prepare – ask one or even 2 other people to help you plan, and you’ll have more than enough time to get everything done.

Pooh baby shower decorations

2008-03-17T18:56:00.004-04:00

A Pooh baby shower is one of the most used baby party themes out there. Why? Because the Pooh characters are so lovable and cuddly, just like a newborn baby. So if you are planning a pooh baby shower, visit Birthday in a Box.com for the best in Pooh decorations.

This website also has Classic and Baby Pooh decorations, which are slightly different from regular Pooh collection. They have everything from tableware, banners, balloons, streamers, even Pooh candles if you want to add some spark to your cake.

Birthday in a Box.com is one of the best party decoration websites on the net. So no matter what baby shower theme you choose, they are sure to have the perfect decorations for you.

Enjoy!

Best baby shower themes for the Spring

2008-03-06T11:00:00.003-05:00

Whether the mom-to-be is having a boy, girl, or twins, these baby shower themes are great for a celebration in the Spring.

Easter – This theme will enhance pretty pastel colors that will suit a boy or girl. Encourage your guests to wear spring-like colors, and fill the room with lots of springtime décor. Use plush bunnies for baby shower centerpieces, and give your guests small Easter baskets as party favors.

St. Patrick’s Day – Use a light green and gold color scheme for this theme idea. Use leprechaun plush toys, clover shaped stickers, and green and gold beads as the decorations. Use "pots of gold" as your guest table centerpieces. Just fill a glass bowl with chocolates wrapped in gold foil. For a nice touch, hide a small prize in each bowl.

April Showers and May Flowers – Use colorful floral bouquets for your centerpieces, and accent the room with little umbrellas. Use a variety of flowers at each table. You can even give away tulips or tulip seeds as party favors.

Little Sunshine – Everyone looks forward to sun-shiny weather in the Spring. So why not get your guests geared up with a sunny baby shower? Decorate your room with lots of yellow, white and soft blue, which will give it a “sunny sky” feel. Send out yellow invites and thank you cards, and give your guests lemon drops or lemon cookies to munch on during the celebration. And don't forget the lemonade. As a party favor, bake sugar cookies and draw a sun on them with yellow icing. Wrap the cookies in clear plastic and tie it with a white or yellow ribbon.

Any theme you choose will be just fine any time of the year. But these themes listed above are perfect for getting everyone ready for spring. Even if you live in an area that’s still snowy in March and April, these baby shower theme ideas will make everyone feel warm and colorful inside.

Happy Planning!

The "Sip and See" Baby Shower

2008-02-21T08:49:00.003-05:00

If you want to have a baby shower but you’re pushed for time, just hold off on hosting the celebration until after the baby is born. Once the little one arrives and the new parents have had time to adjust, throw a “Sip and See” baby shower.

This type of shower is basically the baby’s first public appearance, so here are some planning ideas to make the little one feel like a star.

You still want to choose an overall theme, but just decorate and plan on a more informal level. Since this idea is called “sip and see” most planners incorporate the “tea party” theme ideas into their party, but any theme will work.

Throw up a few balloons, centerpieces and other decorations throughout the room, and be sure to use nice tablecloths. If you’ve already had pictures taken of the new baby, using a different picture in a nice frame for each table is an excellent centerpiece idea.

Remember, the idea here is to show off the new beautiful baby. So don't go overboard with the decorations. You want them to be nice, but you do not want them to be the main focus of the room.

Provide lots of finger foods or appetizers for your guests, and a range of beverages. Try to set up the tables so that the guests can walk around and mingle, but be sure to provide places to sit. Since the guests will be indulging in your food, be sure to provide hand sanitizer since they will be around the baby.

If you want to play games or do some activities, the tip jar, advice book, or scrapbooking ideas will work well with the “sip and see” theme. These ideas do not require to much moving around, but they are still fun. And they will provide the new parents with a few keepsakes.

Even though this is a more informal baby shower, you still want to give out party favors and thank you cards. And since the baby is already born, inserting a picture of the baby in each card will be a nice touch.

Happy Planning!

Turn your pictures a baby shower collage

2008-02-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a great way to make use of your baby shower pictures - download them onto your computer and make a baby shower collage.

The easiest way to do this is to use Google's Picasa. You can download it here. Picasa has tons of great picture editing features, including cropping, coloring, sharpening and more.

Here are the instructions for turning your pictures into a collage:

Go to your start menu and open Google Picasa. You will find that all pictures that have been saved to your computer have already been added to your Picasa file (how convenient!)

On the menu at the left of the screen, select the appropiate folder that contains your baby shower pictures. Once the folder opens up, highlight all the pictures you want to use for the collage. To select multiple pics, simply hold the "ctrl" key as you click on them.

Once all your pictures are highlighted, Click on "collage" at the bottom of the screen. You can choose to turn your baby shower pictures into a grid, picture pile, contact sheet, or a multi-exposure.

You want to select "picture pile" from the drop-down menu, but you should also play around with the other features.

Once your collage has been created, you can save it, print it, and add it to your baby shower keepsakes.

Have fun with Google's Picasa!

Choose

The perfect gift for a mom-to-be...Site Build It!

2008-02-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

Most of you know by now that I am a proud and satisfied Site Build It! Customer. SBI! Is the backbone behind my website baby shower planning made easy!

Right now, they have a Valentine’s Day sale going on, where you can get one SBI! Site for just $100 when you buy another site at the regular price ($299). Ask anyone who knows anything about building a website, and they will tell you that this deal is too good to pass up.

So, why is this the perfect baby shower gift? Because it’s the gift that will last a lifetime. It’s an opportunity for a new mom to start working toward financial freedom. Click here to take a look at how these people got out of the rat race thanks to SBI! And if they can do it, so can the mommy-to-be.

Give her the option of working toward being a stay at home mom with Site Build It! And hey, why not use the other site as a gift for yourself??

Ready to buy the perfect baby shower gift? Click here to order SBI! And don’t wait too long. The Valentine’s Day special ends at the stroke of midnight on Feb. 14th!

Coed baby shower games

2008-01-31T09:24:00.000-05:00

Inviting men to the party? Let them be a part of the fun with these perfect coed baby shower games:

Baby bottle drinking contest – Make sure you have enough baby bottles for all the men. Fill it with anything, water, juice, soda, etc. See which man can finish their bottle first.

Creative diaper – This game will test the guys’ quick thinking skills. Place a bunch of dolls on a table, and make sure there is enough for each guy to have one. In front of each doll, place a bowl with the following items: paper towels, toilet tissue, diaper pins, scotch tape, stickers, glue, baby washcloth, rubber bands, stapler. Each guy has to pretend that the baby needs to be changed, but there are no diapers anywhere! They have to get creative and make a diaper for the doll. The women can vote and decide which creation is best.

Distractions – This game will reveal if the men are truly as organized as the women. Give each guest a card with a “distraction” written on it. For example, “phone ringing”, “someone’s at the door”, “oven timer”, or “baby crying”. One at a time, each guy will take turns trying to multi-task all their distractions while holding the baby (one of the dolls). The hostess will walk around the room and each time she taps a guest on the shoulder, that guest will yell out their distraction. The guy will have to take care of whatever is yelled out, while at the same time, having to keep an eye on the baby.

Pack the diaper bag – What if daddy is taking the baby out for some quality time? Let’s make sure he knows how to properly pack a diaper bag. Give each guy a piece of paper and pencil. They will have 2 minutes to write down everything they will need to care for the baby while they’re out. Whoever can come up with the most items will win.

Name the baby item – Place a bunch of baby items on a table with a number on it, and make sure they are all visible. Give all the guys a pencil and piece of paper, and see who can properly name the most baby items.

Who knows daddy best – this game is just like “who knows mommy best”. Create about 10 – 20 questions about the dad-to-be and see who can answer the most.

Make sure your coed baby shower game will appeal to both men and women. Men like to be active and competitive, so try to choose action games.

And don’t forget about your game prizes. Stay away from the cutsey stuff like candles, soaps and lotion sets. Have some sports stuff, cigars, beer bottles, etc. on hand.

And the most important tip of all, have fun!!

How to decorate your baby shower chair

2008-01-31T08:25:00.001-05:00

Before we get started with the decorations, what exactly is a baby shower chair? It’s where the guest of honor will be sitting during most of the celebration. Many people like to use a rocking chair, but any type of seat will do, as long as it’s comfortable.

First, you need to decide where the guest of honor will sit. Make sure there is enough room to stack the presents around the baby shower chair, wherever you decide to place it. A corner of the room is best, somewhere near the head table. Also make sure the mom-to-be can easily see all the guests from her seat. Her back should not be facing anyone.

Now, on to the decorations. Basically, make sure they match your overall theme in both color and style. Let’s use the teatime baby shower theme as an example.

Take a look at these baby shower chair decorations for “teatime”:

*Use a lace tablecloth to cover the entire chair, or just drape it along the back and arms of the chair.

*Place a small side table next to the chair. Cover it with a lace tablecloth and a cute teacup set.

*Use two small “church hat” figurines and stick them on the arms of the chair.

Look at these baby shower chair ideas for the “moon and stars” theme:

*Tie a pillow to the top of the chair.

*Place a side table next to the chair with a moon and stars crib mobile on it.

*Place moon and star shaped peel-off stickers on the wall near the chair. Glow in the dark stickers would be perfect.

*Surround the chair with bedtime story books.

Get the idea? However you decide to decorate your baby shower chair, just make sure the guest of honor will be comfortable. Make sure the decorations are not too cluttered, so that she can easily get in, and out of the chair.

As with all your baby shower decorations, do not forget to take a picture of the chair, especially while the mom-to-be is opening her gifts.

Make a Baby Clothesline

2008-01-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

A baby clothesline is one of those baby shower items that can be used in many different ways. Use it as decoration after the gifts are opened, as a great gift for the mom after the shower is over, or as a display for taking pictures of the gifts as part of the keepsakes.

Here are instructions for assembling one:

You will need a standard clothesline (find one at any dollar store), diaper pins or clothes pins, and the baby items.

Find a secure place to hang your clothesline. You want it to be visible during the shower, but it should not get in the way as your guests are walking through the room. Hanging it against a wall is a good idea. If you ceiling is high enough, you can hang it so that it drapes through the center of the room (similar to how you would hang a streamer).

Next, as the gifts are being opened, assign one person to attach their gift to the line, attaching it with the diaper or clothes pin. You can also attach a card to each gift with the name of whoever bought the item. Or, after the clothesline is complete, use it as a game and see if the guests can remember who bought what.

Try to add variety to the clothesline by NOT hanging similar items next to each other. Scatter smaller items like bibs, hats and booties between the larger items (onesies, baby outfits, coats, etc.). Do not hang heavy items to the line, as the weight will cause it to fall.

Once the clothesline is complete, be sure to take a picture of it. If you can get the entire clothesline in one shot, that would be great. If not, section of the clothesline and take about 3 or 4 pictures.

After the baby shower is over, the mom-to-be can keep the clothesline as is until after the baby is born, or she can remove the items for packing.

Unique baby shower gift wrapping ideas

2008-01-29T12:12:00.001-05:00

We all know that shiny wrapping paper is a beautiful site. It lights up the room and makes a gift seem a little more special. But there are other unique ways to conceal baby shower gifts besides traditional wrapping paper. And if you’re going to a baby shower, this is the perfect time to learn some of these great tips. If you want to put a smile on her face, consider some of these unique ways to give the mom two or more gifts in one-

*If your gift is in a box, wrap it with a baby blanket and secure it with ribbon. This idea is especially great if the gift is related to baby bedding, such a mobile for the crib.

*For smaller gifts like baby bottles and pacifiers, use a large bib and a ribbon. Just place the items in the center of the bib and enclose them by bringing the edges together. Then, use a ribbon to tie the bib at the top. With this method, there’s no need for a gift bag or box.

*For clothing, neatly fold and stack the items and wrap them with a blanket or sheet. You can also use the clothing as cushion for a small gift basket.

*What about bathing items? Use the bib technique, but with a towel. Take baby wash, lotion, washcloths, etc, and tie them up with the towel. Secure the towel with a large ribbon.

*If you prefer to use regular wrapping paper, spruce it up with a unique baby gift topper. If you’re giving feeding supplies, use a pacifier or teether and attach it to a ribbon on the top of the box.

See how easy it is to get creative with your baby shower gifts?? Have fun wrapping!

Creative gift ideas for a daddy baby shower

2008-01-11T13:09:00.001-05:00

If you're throwing a daddy shower, or if the both parents will be at the celebration, you might have a little trouble finding the perfect gift for the lucky guy. But here is a great baby shower gift for dads that he's sure to love:

The New Daddy tool belt!

All you have to do is buy a regular tool belt at any department or home improvement store. Fill it with everything he'll need to take care of his baby when mommy is not around. Be sure to include the items on this list:

bottle

jar of baby food

burping cloth

pacifier

teether

rattle

diaper, wipes, and cream

rubber gloves and goggles. Trust me, he'll want them in case he has to change a diaper!

changing pad

tongs - for handling the dirty diaper

list of instructions and/or handy tips

Some people think of this idea as a baby shower gag gift, but it can be very useful too. Choose this gift idea and you'll surely bring laughter and some much needed new daddy stuff to the party.

Congrats to all you dads-to-be out there!

Menu ideas for a Valentine’s Day Baby Shower

2008-01-07T13:11:00.000-05:00

If you’re having a baby shower close to Valentine's Day, then that would be the perfect theme for your party. And here is a great way to incorporate this “lovely” day into your menu.

Appetizer:

Red, white and pink mints.

Crackers with heart-shaped cheese – You can find a heart shaped cookie cutter at any craft or dollar store.

Heart shaped breadsticks – Just buy some refrigerate breadstick dough from the market and shape them into hearts. Then follow the baking instructions on the package.

Main dish:

Grilled sirloin tips with sautéed onions and mushrooms.

Baked fish with lemon.

Grilled chicken with peppers.

Side dishes:

Steamed veggies.

Steamed rice.

Desserts:

Chocolate fondue.

Heart shaped cookies or brownies.

Fruit Tart in a heart shaped pan.

Chocolate ice cream served in martini glasses.

Drinks:

Red or pink punch served in martini glasses. Add that special touch by serving heart shaped ice, and accenting the glass with a fresh strawberry.

Strawberry smoothies.

Sparkling cider.

Now, spruce up your tables:
*Use a white tablecloth for you buffet table and spread some red and pink synthetic (or real!) rose petals throughout.

*Fill a heart shaped bowl with Hershey’s kisses wrapped in red paper for your centerpieces.

*Eat by candlelight and use red and pink candles.

Be on the lookout for even more Valentine’s Day Baby Shower ideas in the near future. I’ll be adding them to my baby shower website soon. In the meantime, check out my other theme ideas, or contact me to share your ideas for the Valentine’s Day theme.

Happy Planning!!

Gift ideas for the Baby Shower Hostess

2008-01-04T14:23:00.000-05:00

All soon-to-be and new moms, this one’s for you. If you recently had a baby shower, be mindful that your hostess took a lot of time and effort to make your celebration a success. Because of her superb planning skills, you were able to spend time with your loved ones, enjoy a nice meal, and you got lots of great gifts for your little bundle of joy.

So give your hostess a small gift as a token of your appreciation. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive. Just something that says “thank you”. I believe gift cards are always best. With a gift card, the hostess can get exactly what she wants. But some people think gift cards are a little impersonal, like money. So, if you want some other ideas, take a look at the list below:

Purse – What woman doesn’t like a nice purse? You can find some fashionable and inexpensive ones at stores such as Target and Macy’s.

Manicure/Pedicure kit – You’re the one carrying the baby, so nobody deserves as much R&R as you. But, the hostess has been doing a lot of running around lately. So this gift idea is sure to be well received.

“Thank You” gift basket – A small basket with chocolates or gourmet food.

Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works lotion set - If you don’t know her favorite fragrance, give her a variety to choose from.

Spa Certificate – Treat her to an awesome massage!

Gift card to her favorite restaurant – In this case, giving a gift card won’t seem impersonal at all. It’s just like giving her a plate of her favorite dish.

Jewelry – This gift idea depends on your budget. Some women do not like costume jewelry. If this is the case with your hostess, you can find high quality and reasonably priced jewelry and popular department stores.

House plant or flowers – A nice piece of home décor that's very affordable.

Artwork or photo – If you have an old picture of the two of you together, get it digitally enhanced and put it in a nice frame. And write her a personal note on the back.

Picture of the new baby – When the baby arrives, you’ll be so excited to start clicking away with your camera. Give your hostess a small photo collection of your new little one.

This list is just a few of the many possibilities for hostess gifts. Remember, no matter what you choose, it’s the thought that counts.

The Blessingway

2008-01-02T09:53:00.001-05:00

How many of you have heard of the traditional Native American tradition called the Blessingway? It's not that well know among traditional baby shower participants, but it's a nice alternative to those who are looking for a more spiritual celebration. The blessingway is a ceremony that focuses on the journey of pregnancy rather than just recognizing the new bundle of joy.

Blessingways stray away for traditional baby shower games, favors and gift giving. But they are still very entertaining. The guests usually participate in more spiritual activities such as using birth beads, making belly casts, and candle lighting.

Check out the link in this post for more ideas and information about this unique baby shower alternative.

Can't stand the cold and dreary weather - Get ready for Spring!

2008-01-01T13:43:00.001-05:00

We’re in the heart of the winter season and, for some of us, that’s the worst time of the year. I personally like winter – but it’s been brutal in some parts of the country. For those of you looking for some great baby shower ideas that will take your mind off of the dreary weather, here are five great ways to make Springtime a part of your celebration:

1. Use lots of pastels – You can use pastel colors any time of the year, but they are especially great for the Spring. Use lots of soft pink, blue, lavender, yellow and light green in your baby shower decorations.

2. Have an indoor baby shower picnic – What says “it’s Springtime” better than an old fashioned picnic? Serve up some barbeque, cold salads, and lemonade for your guests, and you can use picnic baskets for the decorations. For your baby shower centerpieces, take medium sized baskets and stuff them with pretty silk flowers or a plush toy.

3. Use one of these classic Springtime themes – rubber ducky or sailboats. Both of these nautical ideas use great soft colors that will have your guests looking forward to warm and comfortable weather.

Cute gifts for a holiday season baby shower

2007-12-02T11:33:00.000-05:00

I came across a wonderful gift idea for baby showers during the holiday season. I was browsing the web looking for holiday gifts for my family, and I ended up at thingsremembered.com. Things Remembered has stores in many popular malls and shopping centers, and they are known for personalizing great gifts.

Since most of us are in the midst of decorating our homes, Things Remembered is offering snowflake and angel shaped tree ornaments, and they have cute snow globes.

If you've been invited to a baby shower close to the holidays, these gifts can be the perfect keepsake for a new mom.

Here are some personalization ideas for these gifts:

"Crystal's baby shower
December 2nd, 2007"

"Congratulations or your new baby"

"Special holiday wishes for you and your new baby"

Keep in mind that it does cost a little more to have a gift personalized, but it's very worth it. Get an in-depth look at these great gift selections at thingsremembered.com.

Ideas for an inexpensive baby shower menu

2007-11-14T11:14:00.001-05:00

Do you need some great ideas for baby shower food but you're strapped for cash? You want the food to be tasty and well presented, but you don't want to spend a lot of money. Let's say you're expecting 20+ people. Here’s my suggestion for an inexpensive baby shower menu:

For the appetizer, a cheese and cracker tray will do. Instead of going with just one kind of each, spice up the tray by offering at least 2 different cracker flavors and maybe 3 different cheeses. Crackers come in all flavors nowadays, such as butter, garlic, herb, veggie, etc. For the cheeses, choose a mild cheddar, Swiss, and Monterrey jack. Buy a disposable cookie tray and arrange the items in a circle interchangeably. And that’s that!

For your main course, always start with a garden salad because the ingredients are both cheap and filling. Also offer at least 2 kinds of dressing. In my experience, store brand dressing is just as good as the name brand stuff.

The heart of your menu will be whatever meat and side dishes you serve. These are my favorite affordable choices:

*Spaghetti
*Chicken Parmesan
*Meatloaf
*Sandwich bar (offer different kinds of lunch meat, along with white, wheat and rye bread)

For the side dishes, go with your favorite potato dish, fresh steamed veggies or rice. But make sure it goes well with your meat. If you're serving spaghetti, there's no need for mashed potatoes too.

I like these main course choices because all of them require only a few ingredients and they can feed a houseful of people.

Now, on to dessert. If you’re having an edible cake, well there you have it! Just buy some ice cream to go along with it. Here are a few more cheap dessert options:

*Cookies (chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin)- Get the pre-prepared dough so all you’ll have to do is spoon it out and put it in the oven. Baking from scratch will require more money for ingredients.
*Brownies- Buy the Betty Crocker mix (my favorite), and all you’ll have to add is eggs, butter and water.
*Ice cream sundaes- Buy lots of vanilla ice cream, and offer your guests their choice of chocolate, strawberry and caramel toppings.

So that’s it! Consider these tips and you’ll be able to satisfy everyone’s appetite and still have some change left over!!

Holding on to baby shower memories

2007-11-07T13:43:00.001-05:00

A baby shower is one of the most memorable occasions in a soon-to-be-mother’s life. So whether you’re the hostess or the guest of honor, make sure you protect the memories of this special day.

The hostess and some of the guests are sure to have a camera on hand, and taking pictures is great for building memories. Why? Because when compared to just thoughts, pictures offer a more vivid reminder of those special times. Make sure you take pictures of EVERYTHING-the cake, centerpiece, all the decorations, the buffet table, of course the gifts, greeting cards, and even all the guests. Use the pics to create a book or online photo album.

What’s more real than pictures? You guessed it…a video. Here’s another great way make sure you always have a reminder of you baby shower on hand. If you plan to record your celebration, there’s no need to have someone walk around with a video recorder the entire time. Just get the most important stuff. Record the gifts being opened, the games as they’re being played, and let your guests say a little something to the newcomer on camera.

You’ll also want to gather some items from the baby shower to add to your collection. Take a piece of wrapping paper from each gift and tape them onto a sheet. Save something from every piece of the decorations; the streamers, a deflated balloon, one of the centerpieces, even one set of tableware. Put all these items into a nicely decorated box and tuck it away in a safe place. This is known as the keepsake tradition. It’s just like saving little memories from a wedding reception.

No matter how you decide to remember your baby shower, you’ll be amazed at how pictures, video and keepsakes will put a smile on your face…even when you’re little one is all grown up!

The perfect Autumn baby shower

2007-10-26T10:16:00.002-04:00

Here in Philly, PA, it’s finally starting to feel like autumn. After having to deal with temperatures in the 80’s for most of October, I can actually wear a sweater today!

But anyway, if you know someone who has a baby on the way and the mom-to-be loves the fall season, then that could be a perfect setting for a baby shower. Here are some great ideas for incorporating all things autumn into your celebration:

*Choose fall colors for your baby shower decorations. Some good ones are brown, red, orange, dark yellow, gold, and green.

*Buy some synthetic leaves and scatter them over the floor and attach some to the walls.

*Use a pumpkin centerpiece. Yankee Candle has some great pumpkin candles that will fill the entire room with a lovely scent.

*Have a Thanksgiving style meal. You don’t necessarily have to bake a huge turkey, but choose menus in which turkey is the main ingredient. For instance, turkey finger sandwiches or turkey chowder (a perfect compliment to the crisp weather). For your other menu items, serve mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin or sweet potato pie, egg nog, etc.

*Give away little turkey figurines as your baby shower favors. You can deck them with a pink/blue ribbon. Little pumpkin or apple cinnamon candles, or Thanksgiving recipe books are other great favor options.

*Play some fall/autumn games. Have a scavenger hunt and hide autumn related items, and play “pin the feather on the turkey”. Use your imagination!

*To the guests: buy seasonal gifts like a newborn Halloween costume or a plush pumpkin toy.

***Needless to say, check back in a few weeks for my suggestions on a “Happy Holidays” baby shower. That time of year is right around the corner!

FREE Baby Shower Newsletter

2007-10-18T14:26:00.000-04:00

Would you like to receive a free monthly newsletter that gives you tons of baby shower information?

Of course you would! And I am very pleased to announce that my free e-zine, The Baby Shower Bulletin, is now up and running.

The Baby Shower Bulletin is filled with fun, creative and affordable baby shower ideas, and it's delivered right to your inbox every month.

Click here to sign up, and enjoy!

Tips for planning a surprise baby shower

2007-10-16T08:39:00.001-04:00

1. Make sure you state on the invites that it will be a surprise. If you don’t, someone may slip up and alert the guest of honor.

2. Be discreet about getting ideas for baby shower themes and a menu. Try your best to learn the expectant mom’s likes and dislikes without being too obvious. Pay attention to her favorite colors, stuff she picks out on her own for the baby, and the kinds of foods she orders at a restaurant.

3. Hide the baby shower decorations. As you stock up on balloons, streamers, tableware, etc., make sure the guest of honor never sees them. Hide them in your closet or at someone else’s home.

4. Plan a little “fib”. In order to make sure that your mom-to-be will be available for the celebration, tell her that someone else is having a get-together for a completely different reason. For instance, say that one of your mutual friends is having a party for one of her kids. If you say something vague like, “everyone is getting together on Saturday for a family dinner or cookout”, she may catch on, or at least be a little suspicious. The best tactic is to tell her nothing at all. See if you can get her out of the house for a few hours, and charge someone else with the set-up. Then when you get back home and open the front door, she will be alerted to all the guests and decorations, which will reveal the surprise.

5. Plan the perfect grand entrance: Regardless of the baby shower’s location, the actual “surprise!” is key. Make sure your ultimate giveaway coincides with whatever story you told the guest of honor. If she thinks she’s on her way to a kid’s birthday party, then you don’t necessarily have to have all the lights turned off with everyone hiding behind chairs. Just tell the guests to act normal, and yell “surprise” as soon as the mom-to-be walks in. She'll be suspicious if she walks up to a dark and quiet house if there's supposed to be a party going on. However, if she has no idea that she’s going to a get-together, then you can use the “everyone hide” approach. Either way, your mom-to-be is sure to be grateful for her baby shower surprise.

Baby shower gift ideas for the Winter

2007-10-11T22:15:00.001-04:00

For most of us, the seasons are changing and the cold weather is moving in. If you are going to a baby shower within the next few months, here are ten great gift options to keep both the new baby and mommy warm and cozy during the winter.

1. Hand-made quilt or blanket
2. Hat, scarf and glove set
3. Baby wipes warmer
4. Mug and cocoa mix for mom
5. Cozy slippers for mom
6. Warming baby oil or lotion
7. Bottle warmer
8. Winter decor for the nursery
9. Pajamas for baby and/or mom
10. Blanket sleeper

All of these baby shower gifts can work all year round, but they will be especially appreciated during cold months.
Happy shopping!

3 pieces of advice for selecting the perfect baby shower theme

2007-09-28T10:36:00.001-04:00

1. Think about the expectant mom’s personality – This is, by far, the most important tip. You want to make sure the mom-to-be is comfortable at the shower, so select a baby shower theme that’s good for her lifestyle. Is she a hip and trendy mom who loves to hang out with friends and family? Then a more modern theme such as “Little Diva” or “Girlfriend’s Lunch” would be great for her. She may also like a coed baby shower.

For the more conservative or laid-back mom, she may appreciate a theme with subtle colors and decorations. Perhaps the “It’s a boy/girl” theme. And if your guest of honor likes to be fancy and the center of attention, definitely go with the “Princess/Prince Charming” theme.

2. Don’t think about your budget too much – You can easily plan for any theme on a budget. Even if you want some fancy baby shower decorations or an exquisite buffet for your guests, you don’t have to empty your wallet to get what you want. Remember to shop around for the best prices, and check out your local dollar store. You’ll be surprised at how much stuff they carry!

3. Choose the appropriate theme for a boy or girl – This should go without saying. Make sure your theme matches the baby’s gender. You shouldn’t use a theme such as “Little Diva” for a boy, or “sailboats” for a girl. If you don’t know the sex of the baby, choose a unisex theme, such as “rubber ducky”.

History of the Baby Shower

2007-09-24T11:41:00.001-04:00

I've been searching like crazy lately, trying to find out how Americans started celebrating baby showers. Unfortunately, I could not find too much information. But here's what I did learn:

Turns out that baby showers became popular after World War II, and they were originally held about 1 month after the baby was born. The new mom's female friends and family members got together just like we do today, but the purpose was to comfort the new mom, and give her as much support as possible. That's basically the reason we have baby showers today, but I would say the main focus is on the new baby, not so much the mom.

There is even some thought that the ancient Egyptians or Romans could have started the baby shower craze, but no concrete evidence.
With the exception of having the celebration before the birth, and having men attend a baby shower, most of the etiquette and traditions have remained the same. However, it's not really frowned upon in today's society to go against tradition.

So, how exactly did we start celebrating baby showers?? I guess this is one of those questions we'll just never know the answer to. But, I won't give up! I'll keep searching, and I'll definitely keep you updated! If you have any thoughts or information to add about the origination of baby showers, please post a comment.
Thanks!

Community baby showers for charity

2007-09-18T08:12:00.000-04:00

Has anyone ever been to a community baby shower? They are getting popular all over the country. The idea is to have a traditional baby shower at a community park or recreation center, and the guests of honor are all expectant or new moms in the community who could use a little financial help. The other guests bring diapers, feeding supplies, baby safety items, etc, as gifts. They are wrapped at the baby shower, and then distributed to new or soon-to-be moms. Sometimes they are distributed at the shower, while some organizers deliver the gifts to their homes. This is a great way to be a part of something positive while having fun at the same time. If your area is planning a community baby shower for charity, please share your ideas in order to help others in their planning.
To all those new and expectant moms out there, congrats!

What is a Baby Sprinkle?

2007-09-12T10:56:00.001-04:00

When baby showers initially became popular, people only held them for the first born baby. Why? Because the average family believes in hand-me-downs. We re-use baby clothes, cribs, high chairs, and other stuff in order to save money.

But in today's world, we've come to realize that we should in fact celebrate all of our babies. And we do that by having a baby shower for the first child, and a baby sprinkle for the others. The celebration got its name because this time, the guests will "sprinkle" the baby with gifts instead of "showering" them. The parents-to-be don't need as much stuff for the second and third babies as they did for the first one.
Any theme will do for a baby sprinkle, but the most popular one is the "baby's library" theme. This theme focuses on gathering educational items for the baby, rather than clothes and toys. Click here for planning ideas for the baby's library theme.
For those of you who want to have a shower for a second or third child, the baby sprinkle idea is just that - an idea. Nowhere is it written in stone that you cannot have a full-blown shower for all of your children. Some people think it's a bit greedy to ask people to buy gifts for all your children, but just leave the choice to them. Let your guests know that you're throwing a shower to celebrate the coming of your new baby, and that gifts will be appreciated, but they are not necessary.

Sextuplets!!! Are you kidding me?

2007-09-06T21:40:00.000-04:00

Have you heard the news? A couple out of Florida recently gave birth to sextuplets. And the mom, Karoline Byler is only 29 years old. And on top of that, she already has another child. Hats off to her!! Can you imagine becoming pregnant and looking forward to your new baby, only to find out that you're having 5 more than you expected! The newspapers are reporting that all the kids and the mom are doing great! And, they were showered with gifts, including a one year's supply of baby food and formula.
This got me to thinking about have a baby shower for multiple children. I think I could swing a twins or triplets shower, but a celebration for six babies...all at one time?!?!? It would certainly be a nerve-racking experience, but all that hard work will pay off in the end. The more babies there are, the more love there is to go around. If you've ever hosted a multiple-baby baby shower, I would love to hear about your experiences. In advance, thanks for sharing.
And to the proud parents of the Florida sextuplets, Congrats!! You deserve it.

Can I throw my own baby shower?

2007-09-04T12:48:00.000-04:00

Why not!!

Even though baby shower etiquette is constantly changing, one practice that has stood the test of time is to not throw your own shower. People think it's like asking for gifts for yourself. Imagine getting an invitation in the mail that says something like this:

" You've been invited to my birthday party!
If you are coming to my party,
please RSVP with me, the hostess, by June 1st.
I am registered at Target".

Sounds pushy, right? Well, I think asking for gifts for your baby as opposed to yourself is different and completely justified. People nowadays know how it is; if there’s a baby on the way, he/she will need things. And since most of us don’t live on Rodeo Drive, having people donate stuff would be a great help. And you should expect your friends and family to help you out, because that’s what they’re there for. So, for all of you expectant mom’s who want to take charge and plan your own celebration, go right ahead, and have fun!
But what about those of you who live far away from everyone? Your other option is to wait until the baby is born and mail out baby announcements, or have some kind of get-together at a big holiday to show off the new baby. And believe me, in either case, the presents will come by the truckload because people naturally love to spoil babies.
I personally think it’s great to have someone else other than the mom-to-be to plan the baby shower. The bun in the oven is causing enough stress as it is. The expectant mom should be relaxing and getting ready for the big day instead of worrying about decorations, food and party favors. But hey, it’s up to you. Your baby shower should be about what you want.

Long Distance Baby Shower

2007-09-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

Ok, so you want to plan a baby shower, but the expectant mom lives far away from everyone! You want to have a shower for her a few months before the baby gets here, but that means she won't be able to travel. So what do you do??

Have a long distance baby shower!

The basic idea is to just have the shower as if the mother-to-be were there, and then send the celebration to her afterwards. Don't know how to get started with planning a long distance baby shower? Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Make it a surprise - Just imagine the look on the expectant mom's face when she opens a package in her mail, and finds lots of gifts, decorations and a recording of her baby shower. You'll have to somehow get a baby registry from her without telling her why you need it. Just tell her that you want to get an idea of what she still needs for the baby, so that you can buy her something.

2. When you send out the invites, make sure you let everyone know that this is a long distance shower, meaning the mom-to-be won't be there. And stress to everyone that it's a surprise.

3. Have your video recorder on hand - At the event, you are going to celebrate as usual. As the hostess, you will be responsible for recording everything. Make sure you give everyone an opportunity to say a little something to the soon-to-be-mom, and don't forget to record those games (she'll get a kick out of watching that). When it's time for the gifts, tell the guests to bring them unwrapped so that the mom can see them on camera. After all the gifts are recorded, everyone can wrap their own gifts and put them in the shipping box. Also, make sure the new mom can get a good look at all the food and decorations. Remember, you want to make her feel like she was actually there.

4. Send the shower to her - Pack all the gifts, greeting cards, some or all of the decorations, and, of course, the video and send it off to the guest of honor. If you can fit a diaper cake into the box, send that as well.

That's it! That's all there is to planning a long distance baby shower. The mom-to-be will certainly appreciate everyone's efforts in making the end of her pregnancy a special one.

The Power of Baby Shower Graphics

2007-09-01T18:21:00.001-04:00

When you prepare your baby shower invitations, using graphics can be helpful to both the mother-to-be and the guests. Graphics can reveal the sex of the baby and your shower theme without you having to write that information out. Your words are important, as some things will have to be written (time/date/place, RSVP info, etc). But you want the invites to be short and sweet, and you can accomplish that by using baby shower graphics.

If the mother-to-be is having a baby girl, pink invitations will tip off your guests. And this is great information for those guests who will not be buying a gift from the registry. And, of course, blue invites will say "it's a boy". If your baby shower theme does not include the color pink, and you want the invites to match the theme, simple accent the the invite with a pink ribbon or sticker. For example, if your theme is Mickey mouse, then your invites will be mostly black, red and blue. So tape a small pink ribbon on the front of the card. Or, if you want to be more straight-forward, buy or make invitations with the "It's a girl" baby shower graphic already on it.

Another note: you may have guests that want to buy baby clothes or home decor that will match your baby shower theme. And again, keep this in mind because not all of your guests may look at your registry. You can easily tell them what the theme is simply by buying invites that match.

The guests can also use baby shower graphics to add flare to their gifts. Let's say your theme is "Classic Pooh" (I always use this example because its my favorite!). You looked in a few stores but cannot find Classic Pooh wrapping paper. Just look for a matching color instead. For the Classic Pooh theme, the best color is mint green. You will have no problem finding an accent for the gift box, such as a small Classic Pooh plush toy or figurine (think of these examples as 3D graphics), so make that a part of your gift.

After the shower is over, use some graphics for your baby shower thank you cards as well.

Get more ideas for invites, themes and thank you cards here.

Location, Location, Location

2007-09-01T11:27:00.000-04:00

If you are unsure about where to host a baby shower, weigh the pros and cons of all your options. The most popular location is in someone's home because of the intimate setting and low cost. But there are other places to consider, depending on the expectant mom's personality and your budget.

A restaurant: Rent a private room at a nice restaurant, and you will have automatically eliminated your having to cook. You will still acheive that intimate home setting because you'll have all the privacy you need. And even though you won't have as much say-so as you do in your own home, you can still decorate the room. And the best part, no dirty dishes after everybody goes home!!
A hotel suite: You will have to put out money for a hotel room, especially a suite. But there are some pros to this option as well. Compared to a restaurant, you will have more freedom to decorate the room, and you'll have more privacy. If the baby shower budget allows, choose a hotel that has a refrigerator in the rooms, and some even have full kitchens.
Are you by the waterfront? Have a beach baby shower. This is a great option for those moms who like the outdoors and the cool beach breezes. But its not my favorite option. First, who's going to carry all the food and whatever decorations you have from the car to the beach? And what about the weather?? You'll be crossing your fingers hoping it doesn't rain. You can set a rain date, but it may rain on that day too!! Your best bet is to stay indoors. But, if you really like the idea of having a beach baby shower, be optimistic. Expect the best but prepare for the worst.
Another outdoor option - a baby shower picnic in the park. As I've said, having a baby shower outdoors isn't my thing, but it is another good idea for the outdoorsy mom. You'll just have to be prepared for the weather.
Now, here's one outdoor idea that will work. A baby shower pool party. Should you have unexpected weather, just take the party inside. Problem solved!

These location options are a great way to put a new twist on old baby shower traditions. But no matter where your celebration will be, remember why you're celebrating in the first place. And that reason alone will make any baby shower a success.

"Catch the Cradle" - A unique baby shower game

2007-08-31T17:29:00.000-04:00

Do you need an idea for a unique baby shower game? Why not try to predict who's next in line for a baby?!?

Name of the Game: Catch the Cradle (or diaper, or bottle, or anything baby related. But I think "Catch the Cradle" just sounds more...catchier!

Instructions: Buy a small toy baby cradle and a little baby figurine. Hopefully, you can find a cradle with a baby attached. If not, just glue the figurine into the cradle. Toward the end of the baby shower, have all the guests gather around somewhere in the room. The mom-to-be will turn her back to everyone and, you guessed it, she will throw the cradle to the crowd. Whoever catches it is next in line for a baby shower!

The baby shower prize: Now that's the tricky part. Even though we know that whoever catches the cradle is not actually destined to be the next person to have a baby, I think it would be fitting to give a baby shower-related prize for this game. And I mean something more "to the point" than a candle or plush toy. Something that really says "get ready, there's a baby on the way" (and hopefully the winner will know that we're not serious). My suggestion: a "pamper yourself" basket, filled with lotions, bubble bath, chocolates, maybe a pair of soft slippers. Anything that women use to ingulge themselves in relaxation. This is a great gift for "Catch the Cradle" because the winner will be rewarded for being a good "sport", just by participating (and, of course, she's being awarded because she won).

I wish I had thought of this when I threw a shower for my sister. The guests would have loved it. But when it comes to a useful idea, as the old saying goes, better late than never. And all good ideas should be shared.

So when it's time for your baby shower, make sure you play the unique baby shower game "Catch the Cradle". It will be a true crowd pleaser.

Baby shower on a budget

2007-08-30T08:44:00.001-04:00

Even if you're only inviting a few people, buying supplies for a baby shower can be expensive. There's the decorations, the cake, other food, invitations, etc. Here are my suggestions for saving some money for your party.

Send an Evite. You can save money on postage by sending online invitations instead. and http://www.evite.com/ com gives you a lot of options for personalizing your invitations. If you prefer to mail your notices, your can make your own invitations on the computer instead of buying them. You will, however still have to buy the envelopes. But all you will need is one box, and that's cheaper than a stack of invitations.
Dollar store decorations. In today's world, there's a dollar store on every corner. And they all carry tons of baby shower decorations. You can find tableware, streamers, balloons, even cute candles.
Shop wholesale for foods. If you're having 20+ people at your shower, you could end up emptying your wallet at the local supermarket, even if there is a sale. So if you have a chicken recipe on your menu, go to a wholesale meat store rather than the market. You'll probably have to go to a few stores to get everything you need at the best prices, but you will end up saving a lot of cash, so it's worth it.

Welcome to my blog

2007-08-29T17:49:00.001-04:00

I am in the midst of creating my baby shower planning website and things are going great. I chose Site Build It! for the host, and I am completely satisfied so far. I currently have information about the following baby shower stuff on my site:

Themes
Gift Registry
Invitations
Decorations
Games
Food
Thank You Cards

You can visit the best baby shower planning guide here to see what I've done so far. I should have some more pages built in about a week. So stay tuned for the updates!