One of the most important events in the life a couple is discovering they are going to be parents.  Nothing can compare with that feeling of delight that rushes through the body when you are informed of the news.  Everyone experiences the same sense when they hear the news about the blessed event for the first time; that feeling of anticipation mingled with anticipation for the future.

Whether you are preparing for the arrival of a boy, girl or twins, you can be sure your family and friends will arrange to hold a baby shower for the new baby.  What better way is there for first-time couples to receive some of the most required items for their nursery?

The first step to setting up a baby shower is to choose where and when to hold it.  If you are needing to keep your out-of-pocket expenses down, then use one of these options:

•    Your home
•    A Friend’s home
•    Your Church
•    A Community Hall
•    A Picnic Shelter at a local Park

Once the site is set and definite for the planned event date, then it is time to plan the guest list for the shower.  After deciding on who is attending, the next step to settling on what entertainment and food you should plan.  First, will it be a surprise event?  Will the new father be invited?  Will it a full family celebration?

More and more, baby festivities are becoming a family affair; especially when older siblings are already part of the family unit.  Making the event family oriented gives you a whole different set of options for having  an extraordinary affair, yet observing the event’s  finances small.  One very laid-back and commonly expected way is to have a Pot Luck where everyone brings their favorite foods.  A Pot Luck is fitting for either a barbecue or a park picnic.

Holding a family baby affair, while eliminating some planning problems, does present others; like what types of amusements to have that everyone can participate in.  This can easily be planned around with a little resourceful cleverness.  Have games everyone can play.  Just be sure to have fitting prizes for any age winner.

•    Egg on Spoon Race, or golf ball on the spoon
•    3-legged Sack Race – always a family favorite
•    Ball Toss – Toss the ball at a target or through a hoop, closest one wins
•    A Scavenger Hunt
•    If you are at the park and the sand pit is large enough, hold a sand sculpting contest.
•    Charades or Pictionary
•    Guess the number of beans in a jar, or similar idea

Now that you have the place, day and time, who’s coming, food and entertainment under control, the next step is to make up your mind about decorations.  I like to use a similar theme as the parents are using in the nursery for the shower and invitations.  I also recommend giving presents in the same theme to go well in the nursery.  If the party is a surprise, be sure to include that on your invite.  If you are having a family party, then make a note to the adults that kids are not only invited, but are encouraged to be present.  I also suggest that the host/hostess of the shower offer to keep a gift registry of which guest plans to purchase what gift.  This simple gesture will be most treasured by the new parents.  Also when several guests cannot choose what to give, you will have the chance to indicate presents  or encourage one or two guests combine their funds.  Invitations should be sent out at least 45-30 days prior to the party date.  Request RSVP’s should be returned no later than 30 days before the event.

Decorations for the shower will be by and large decided by whether the party is inside or outside.  Inside, you can use balloons, streamers and banners, as well has tablecloths and matching napkins and paper plate themes.  Outdoors, you will probably want to keep the balloons, streamers, banners and tablecloths to a minimum in case it gets windy.  However, a lot of scotch tape can help keep most things in place.

One way to give a very useful present yet have a spectacular centerpiece is to use either a diaper cake or a baby gift basket as your central decoration.  Once the party is finished, the diaper cake or gift basket is a fully useful gift for the new parents.  Diaper cakes and baby gift baskets are a spectacular way to decorate as well as give as presents.  New parents are partial to getting all the surprises each holds.

So now you have a fully designed, inexpensive baby party that will be an event that your friends and family will  think of for years to come.  Good Luck!

———-

Kathy Barto
www.FairyliciousDiaperCakes.com

There are many ladies (and men) now a days who are extremely gifted of making everything they do a success.  And planning a baby shower would be no different.  It is the exact occasion to demonstrate the new mother (or parents) how much they mean to you.

For a creative individual handling baby shower decorations can be a snap.  Going to any online store that has diaper cakes or baby gift baskets can give you a ton of thoughts for decorating, as well as a few unbelievable centerpiece displays.

Before settling on decorations, you need to come up a idea for the baby shower.  There many ideas are available, such as: themes for girls, themes for boys, themes for when you don’t know the gender, themes for the new mom, themes for both parents, teddy bear themes, as well as many other traditional and unique decorating ideas.  Once you have decided on the idea, use it for not only the decorations, but the invitations, the games, etc.

Diaper cakes are a logical choice for a beautiful, yet functional centerpiece.  They are chiefly made from rolled up disposable, cloth or organic diapers and then tied in layers with trimmings.  Then instead of frosting, you use baby blankets or baby bath towels to cover the diapers.  And, top the whole thing off with plenty of most needed baby products, toy and stuffed animals, and plenty of ribbons and trimmings.  What could make a better decoration or gift!  If you feel that making the actual diaper part of the cake is too complex, then buy a ready-made 3 or 4 tier diaper cake base.  These are actually very sensibly priced and will decrease your work by half.

Baby Gift Baskets are also a heartfelt gift for the expecting parents.  Instead of placing your “ingredients” on a cake they are beautifully arranged into a basket, bucket, or other such container.  These are especially nice if you set up a long table and need more than one centerpiece.  Or, they make a whimsical addition to any diaper cake and you can put one on each side of the diaper cake for a truly special display.

Make your own banners.  Most everyone has or has access to some type of computer graphics program.  Once you have your artwork finalized take it to a copy shop and have them put onto a banner size of your choice.  Accent your banners with balloons and streamers which are in general accessible at any party store or website.

If you are having an all ladies’ party, then plan your games with a few crafts included.  Everyone likes to take something home as a keepsake, so include at least one or two craft type project with your games.  You can make candles, soaps or even 3D decorations for the baby’s nursery, such as wall artworks or photo frames, etc.

Many hostesses now are planning showers for both the new mother and father.  If that is the case, then gear your games to include ones that will keep the guys involved.  The same goes if you are including kids.  Keep in mind to have prizes for all the winners.

If the new baby’s father, older brother(s) and/or sister(s) will be in attendance, it would be very kind to give them each a personal gift just for themselves.  It will make them feel a part of the merriment and make the new mother very appreciative for your forethought.  There are now a lot of very smart gift ideas for new dads and siblings, as more and more the complete family is being invited to the baby shower.

Whether you are crafty or not, planning for a new baby’s shower can be a totally pleasurable  process.  Don’t by shy, let the “inner you” come out and astonish everyone!

Kathy Barto
FairyliciousDiaperCakes.com