Give a baby shower that will not be easily forgotten. Keep it simple, but fun. A baby shower does not have to be a costly event.

Baby Shower Idea #1

Have your own distinct flower arrangements. Make sure to prepare a special flower arrangement for the soon-to-be mom, so she can take it home with her. Start with a fashionable flower dish, filled with floral foam in which to insert the flowers. Add a variety of different colored fresh or artificial flowers to the dish. As a final touch, inset a baby rattle in the center. Place the flowers on the gift table, refreshment and coffee tables.

Baby Shower Idea #2

Prepare several snack trays; one with a variety of finger sandwiches, another with healthy choices such as deli sliced turkey or smoked chicken. Simply roll each slice with a piece of Swiss cheese and place on the tray. Using a toothpick for each, add either black or green olives or both as a garnish to dress up the platter. Any kind of stuffed mushrooms are sure to delight your guests. You may also want a tray of sliced fresh vegetables served with a dip placed in the center of the tray.

Baby Shower Idea #3

Plan a variety of games, such as "diaper a doll while blind-folded." All you need is a doll, a diaper and safety pins and a dark blind-fold. For another game, empty a bag of cotton balls on the floor. Blind-fold players and have them take turns trying to pick up the cotton balls with a spoon and put the cotton balls in a basket. It will be tricky, but a lot of fun to play. Give the person with the most cotton balls in her basket a small prize.

Baby Shower Idea #4

Prepare fruit punch. Use a crystal punch bowl, fill it with fruit punch and add slices of peeled, fresh oranges to enhance the flavor of the punch.

Baby Shower Idea #5

For a really great looking gift table, use a white lace table cloth.

Baby Shower Idea #6

For easy clean-up, use disposable cups, plates and eating utensils. Select colors that work best with the color scheme you have for the baby shower.

Other Baby Shower Ideas

• You may want to present a small gift to the very first guest. It can be anything that you choose. Use your imagination.

• For an added atmosphere try lighting scented candles. Use soft scents like French vanilla or floral fragrances.

• If you know the baby is a girl or boy, buy decorative balloons in the appropriate color. You may also want to hang streamers in pinks or blues. Yellow is also an attractive choice whether the baby is girl or boy. A mixture of white and yellow balloons will also work out nicely.

• Home showers are always a delight. However, if expense isn't an issue (or if there will be more people at the party than your home will fit comfortably), rent a club house at an apartment complex or community center, or even a hotel or restaurant function hall. (You may have better luck referring to your function as a "party" than as a "shower" though. Function hall coordinators know that showers tend to run long during the gift opening phase, and may not want to risk your function running into the function after yours.) For this you may want to book a limousine service for family and guests.

Warnings

Don't allow your party to become slow. Keep things happening and have fun.