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Archive for the ‘Baby Shower’ Category

Does a mom-to-be have a little pumpkin on the way? You can celebrate with a Halloween or little pumpkin baby shower. There’s so much color and décor readily available at the Halloween season that all you have to do is bring it in.

First off, have pumpkins galore. You can bring in little pumpkin gourds and set them at everyone’s place or make a cornucopia of pumpkins, gourds, and dried corn. To make it baby-themed, place it all in a baby doll carriage or a toy wooden crib as the centerpiece.

Decorate little pumpkins with baby bonnets. Get a bunch of bonnets either as doll clothes or for real babies. You can find these cheaply at discount stores or thrift stores. Place them on top of pumpkins and decorate with baby faces. You can do this with markers or paint.

Another idea is to send out baby shower invitations that have a pumpkin theme. You can make adorable pumpkins out of orange felt and print out your details on the back using computer paper. You can write the theme, “Help welcome Jane’s little pumpkin” or something like that.

Ask everyone to bring a pumpkin themed food for the little pumpkin-to-be. You can have guests bring pumpkin pie, little pumpkin muffins, or decorated cupcakes that look like pumpkins. If you’d rather handle all the food yourself, ask everyone to bring baby food jars of orange foods like carrots and squash. They’ll look cute all stacked together in a big plastic pumpkin.

You can get as spooky or as cute as you want with this theme. You can go with spiders and witches and ghoulish foods, or you can just use Halloween as a jumping off point for color schemes and ideas.

Go with pumpkin orange and black streamers and table toppers and then decide how funky you want to get with the rest of the décor. You can do a cauldron with punch in it and fun “baby finger” appetizers made of bread dough.

Really, the Halloween theme can be anything you would like it to be. You can create a baby shower towel cake with all orange towels tied with black ribbon. You can burn harvest candles and have cinnamon cider mulling.

For baby shower favors, you could do little scented pumpkin candles, lotions, or soaps. You could also bake each guest a plate of pumpkin muffins or bread.

You can sit around telling “scary” baby stories…like how mom will be up all night, never get a chance to shower, and never be able to just run into the grocery store alone again. Ask seasoned mothers to come up with advice to combat these “terrifying” things. It will be really fun and amusing.

Everyone can also come in costume and that will add to the merriment. If you’re having your shower on Halloween, it’s even more fun. If you want, you can hand out masks or costume hats when guests arrive if you don’t want to ask them to invest in their own costumes. Or ask everyone to dress up as a pregnant woman just for fun. It will add to the levity of the festivities.

Make your Halloween shower a day to remember for the mom-to-be by adding lovely touches she won’t soon be likely to forget.

Want more? Try this article for more Halloween Baby Shower Ideas.

Baby diaper wreaths are so adorable. If you’ve never seen one, you’re in for a lovely surprise. When complete, a baby wreath is a circle of diapers with embellishments such as baby toys and pacifiers that serves as a door hanging or baby shower decoration. The mom can actually take it apart and use the diapers or just leave it up as a fun decoration. They’re so easy to make. Surprise a new mom with one as her next baby shower gift!

First, think about a theme. Then you can collect everything you need based on that theme. Some good ones are rubber duckies, Pooh, Hello Kitty, baby dolls, teddy bears, bunnies, monkeys, zoo animals, Mickey and Minnie, all rattles, trains, cars, puppies, and kittens. Think up your own theme and then plan to get ribbon and toys to coordinate with it. If there are twins coming, why not do two of everything on the wreath? It will look darling.

Here’s what you’ll need to complete one wreath:

• About 20 disposable diapers. You can use cloth diapers but it really is easiest to make this wreath with disposables. The folds in them are easy to maneuver and secure.
• A wire wreath form. You can find them at the craft or hobby store. An 18” frame works best but you can go smaller or larger if you like.
• Ribbon in the color of the baby shower’s theme. Or choose any happy baby friendly color and style. Just make sure the ribbon is sturdy.
• Toys such as rubber duckies, pacifiers, and rattles. You can also use small bottles of baby lotion or powder.
• One bigger toy to serve as the top decoration on the wreath.
• One big bow

To assemble the wreath, clear a space and lay the wreath form down on a table. Take a diaper and place it over the wreath form with the tab sides facing down. Secure it with a small length of ribbon around the middle. Do this for all the rest of the diapers around the form. Every bit of the form should be covered by diapers, so if you find you have gaps add a few more diapers.

Next, add the embellishments. Tie on the toys so that they are evenly spaced around the wreath. Use ribbon to secure them. Add the bow to either the top or the bottom of the wreath. Secure it using either a twist tie or a length of ribbon.

For the final touch, add the large toy. This will be the focal point of the wreath. Secure it to the wreath with ribbon. Stuffed toys and other cute animals look nice to complete the wreath.

The beauty of this gift is that the new mom can really use it. Every time she reaches for one of the diapers, she’ll thank you all over again. New moms go through at least seven or eight diapers a day, so don’t worry if someone else brings a diaper wreath to the shower too. It will definitely be appreciated. To really top it off, bring a baby diaper cake as well!

Diaper wreaths are perfect to bring to the hospital when visiting baby for the first time. They also make nice hanging decorations for the baby shower. Or, the new mom can hang it on her door as a nursery decoration.

Related Articles:

Personalized Baby Shower Favor Ideas

Baby Shower Diaper Cakes - A Gift And Centerpiece All Rolled Into One!

Baby showers have traditionally been exclusively female affairs where moms and expectant moms and girlfriends get to talk about the upcoming event, ask questions, get advice, and ooh and aww over cute baby items.  Today, though, more men are being invited to showers, and why not?  It's great for dads to get involved – and they don't even have to play silly baby shower games or wear curly ribbon corsages.  This is a time to celebrate dad too, and you can do it with a homemade baby shower boutonniere.

There are boutonnieres that you can make for dad that will match the mom's corsage:  the baby sock flower works well here, as does a simple boutonniere made from a single flower, such as a lily.  A single stem with an elegant green leaf very elegant as well.  While in keeping with the baby theme, they are not so girly that he will feel uncomfortable!

For the baby sock boutonniere, you will need:

• A pair of baby socks. White is great, as is pink or blue
• Cloth-covered floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Small artificial flowers (silk is a good choice)
• Hot glue gun
• Large safety pin or diaper pin

Lay the socks perfectly flat and begin rolling firmly from the toe.  When you get to the leg part of the sock, unfurl the top and fold it over the body of the “rose.”  Use a length of your floral wire and bend it in half.  Twist the ends together, while leaving the closed end in a U shape.  Push the closed end into the socks.  With floral tape, wrap the steam and the bottom third of the sock rose.  Arrange the artificial flowers around the rose and hot glue the boutonniere onto a safety or diaper pin.

If you have a baby shower theme – such as garden, teddy bears, zoo animals, or something of the like – you can find a simple pin for dad that matches the theme.  Wearing a cute elephant or bumblebee pin isn't so bad!  And he can pin it on the diaper bag when the shower is over.

You can find sites that make lapel ribbons (such as those that are worn by those supporting a particular cause).  You can find these in baby blue, pink, mint green, lilac, and other baby colors, and you can choose to have them printed.  You can write the date of the shower, the parents' names, and/or the baby's name or a cute message for the family.  Men can wear these on their lapels or pockets, and it gives them a nice – and not too feminine – reminder of his child's shower.  These typically cost less than $1 each and will also make nice favors for the guests.

Another idea is to find a large safety pin or diaper pink and affix a ribbon to it – similar to those that children win at science fairs and the link. Write “Dad” or a cute saying on the ribbon with a gold fabric pen, and pin it on dad. It is completely simple – so simple, he won't mind a bit.  Another idea is to make or buy a miniature fabric tie and hot glue it to a safety pin. Use blue fabric for a boy and pink for a girl.  Again, you could use a fabric pen to write “Daddy.”

You could also help dad embrace the silly fun that is a baby shower.  Get him a “manly” baby toy that is designed to hang on a car seat or stroller.  Infantino's Dice, Dice Baby includes two fuzzy, multi-colored, multi-textural dice tied to a loop.  You can simply slip a safety pin through the loop and pin to dad's shirt.  The baby can use them, and who doesn't like fuzzy dice?

Many men still feel like they are invading when it comes to baby showers, so go easy on them.  If they aren't up to a ribbon and rattle boutonniere, be kind and give them a simple ribbon printed with their child's name on it or a cute lion button.  If they're willing, though, go all out and get out the curling ribbon and your imagination.

More Baby Shower Ideas:

• How To Plan A Co-ed or Couples Baby Shower
• Personalized Baby Shower Favor Ideas
• Baby Shower Theme Ideas

Baby showers are a time-honored tradition, and they remain a much-anticipated event by many expectant moms.  Not only does the guest of honor receive the gifts that will make caring for her baby much easier – as when she receives the tiny baby nail clippers she never thought to get or an extra package of diapers or a stack of bibs – but it is a time to celebrate the hard work she is doing growing a beautiful baby.  When planning the baby shower, it is a nice idea to make mom a corsage so she feels as appreciated as she really is.

Whether the guest of honor is traditional and formal or silly and fun, you can find the right corsage to make her shower an occasion to remember.  You can buy a corsage at any florist, but making your own is a very personal way to celebrate the expectant mother.  It is also an excellent way to make the most of your baby shower budget, or lack thereof!

• The classic, elegant mom will love a simple flower corsage.  This is great for those moms who don't want to play baby name games or give out baby shower favors – or for those who just love simplicity.  To make, get a large white lily or calla lily and some baby ivy or baby's breath. You will also need a length of ribbon (pink or blue is great, as is the mother's favorite color), florist's wire, and a pin.  Cut the lily's stem to about 2 inches and twine the ivy or baby's breath with the lily using the wire.  Tie with a bow, and then pin on mom's shirt.  It is very, very easy to make and simply gorgeous.  Remember to keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Roses are another great flower to use, or you could opt for mom's favorite flower and get creative.
• There are also fun and practical corsages that you can make easily, such as the rattle corsage.  You will need a rattle with loops (pacifiers with loops and virtually any toy made to hang from car seats or strollers will work beautifully), curling ribbon, large diaper pin or safety pin, scissors, real or fake flowers, and green floral tape.  Cut your flowers to about 3-4 inches and use floral tape to bind the stems together.  Tape this onto the side of the pin that does not open, and adorn on either side with curling ribbon.  Attach looped pacifiers to the ribbons, and voila! A cute corsage for mom.  And it has the added benefit of being usable: she simply has to take off the rattle, pacifier, or toys off the ribbon, and they're ready for baby.

• You can also make a baby sock corsage that will appeal to elegant mom, practical mom, and silly mom. Choose a few pairs of nylon baby socks with ruffles: pink or blue work well, or you could always go with classic yellow or green.  Turn the socks inside out and start rolling the sock from the toe.  If you do this at an angle, you will have a flower bud shape.  Turn the ruffled part over the roll; this will form the petals.  Use a large safety pin or diaper pin to secure it and pin it to the guest of honor.  You can also add a ribbon to the bottom of the sock bud above the pin for a nice decorative effect.

You can make a bouquet of these baby sock flowers and make the “stems” from floral wire and green floral tape.  Put these in a vase as a centerpiece, and after, mom can use the socks for baby.

Most moms will appreciate these useful corsages, but if you just want to indulge mom for a day, opt for a gorgeous, fragrant flower to make her feel like queen for a day.

More DIY Baby Shower Tips:

1. Top Ten Baby Gift Ideas
2. Theme Baby Shower Cakes
3. Cheap Baby Shower Games

You are having a party for a very-pregnant woman: a woman who is more tired than she's ever been before, who can't find a comfortable position to sit, sleep, or stand, and who is nervous, excited, thrilled, terrified, happy, and sad all at the same time.  You need to feed her!  You can put whatever you want up for baby shower decorations, you can blow up balloons, but what she really wants is to sit back, put up her swollen feet, eat something delicious, and think of nothing more strenuous than opening baby gifts.  What should you serve at a baby shower?

You can have themed food – like Thing 1 and Thing 2 cupcakes for a twin baby shower – but here are some old favorites:

Snacks and Appetizers

Who needs a meal when they have a variety of great appetizers on which to nibble.  Fruits, veggies with dips, olives, cheese and crackers, meat and cheese trays, deviled eggs, and finger sandwiches are always a great choice, and you can easily accommodate for a wide range of tastes.

A fruit pizza is an excellent, beautiful, and unique idea.

You will need:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of water
• 1 cup of  orange juice
• ¼ cup of lemon juice.

Instructions:

Mix these ingredients together to make your “sauce.”  Cook for one minute and set aside to cool.

Next, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe and roll dough out onto a well-greased pizza or cookie sheet. Bake this for about 8 to 10 minutes at 325° to 350° F and let cool.

Mix an 8 ounce package of softened cream cheese, a teaspoon of vanilla, ½ cup granulated sugar and spread this mixture over the cooled cookie dough.  Top the pizza with your favorite fruits, such as bananas, strawberries, cherries, grapes, cantaloupe, and pineapple. Spoon your orange sauce over the pizza and refrigerate for about 3 hours before you serve.

Entrees do not have to be elaborate, especially if you have a lot of guests. You can make a big dish, like lasagna (either make it a veggie lasagna for non-meat-eating guests or make two), stuffed shells, casserole, or soups. You can then serve the soups in bread bowls for a nice, unique touch. Broccoli cheese and potato soups are good options for winter showers. In the summer, you can always stick with the finger foods or grill burgers and hot dogs for ease and convenience.  It's also a good way to get the guys at the shower!

For Dessert

Cakes and cookies related to your theme are always great. If you want something a little different, though, try renting a chocolate fountain.  The mom-to-be will love it – and you! Supply dippers, like strawberries, banana chunks, pretzels, cherries, marshmallows, angel food cake, and more.  On a similar theme, you can make stuffed strawberries.  Mama is sure to love that too.

To do this, you will need:

• Fresh strawberries
• Vanilla
• Powdered sugar
• An 8 ounce package of softened cream cheese
• Shaved chocolate.

Sounds good already, doesn't it?

Instructions:

• Cut the stem and base of each strawberry after washing and patting them dry.  Next, stand the strawberry up on the flat part you've just made and cut an X into the top, going about ¾ of the   way down the strawberry.  This is where you will put the filling.  Mix the vanilla (1 teaspoon), sugar, and cream cheese together.

• If you have a pastry bag with a star tip, you can use that to stuff the strawberries.  If not, use a sandwich bag with a small hole cut into one of the bottom corners.  You then use it just like a pastry bag.  Once the strawberries are filled and arranged on a platter, drizzle melted chocolate over them and enjoy.

Look for new ideas and recipes online, and remember to incorporate the mother-to-be's favorite foods into the celebration.

Here are some more great baby shower theme ideas:

• Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Favor Ideas
• Sports Themed Baby Shower
• Baby Carriage Themed Shower