Part of the fun of planning a shower is showing off your creative side with some interesting baby-related décor. Many of the ideas and projects described here have the added benefit of doing double duty as both a
baby shower centerpiece and
baby shower gifts or table décor and a guest favor.
Centerpiece
The rule of thumb for a centerpiece is that if it will be used on a table where people are seated, it should be low enough to see over. Taller centerpieces can be used as a focal point on food-service tables, counters, or buffet tables.
Lollipops in pots. Use giant lollipops stuck into terracotta pots in place of flowers as centerpieces. Pots should be large enough to balance the lollipop; usually, about 3-inch to 4-inch pots will work. Start by filling a pot with Oasis Floral Foam (dried-arrangement type), available from floral suppliers, then push a lollipop stick into the middle to create the “flower.” Cover the Oasis with paper shred, bubble gum, jelly beans, lemon drops, or other individually wrapped candies. Finish arrangement by tying a ribbon around the lollipop stick.
The pots can be painted in a coordinating color or be decorated with dots, stripes, checks, or other patterns. Intersperse mini terracotta pots filled with candy around the table for added punch.
Baby bottles. Empty baby bottles make great centerpieces and table décor. For a centerpiece, fill eight to ten mini baby bottles with pink, blue, or theme-inspired-color jelly beans, then blanket the table with them.
Pinwheels. Pinwheels in assorted sizes are easy to make, easy to coordinate with your theme, and look festive and fun. Use our pattern to make your own with specialty paper from a scrap-booking or invitation store. When made in multiple sizes they can replace flowers. At outdoor parties, stick them in the ground around the yard like kinetic sculptures twirling merrily in the breeze. You can also buy them online or at your local toy store.
Paint cans. Available at paint supply and hardware stores, paint cans come in two sizes-quarts and galloons-and make a great container for everything from flowers to popcorn. Untouched, the silver finish has an industrial chic persona, but they can also be covered with wrapping paper or a custom label created on the computer or by hand. They are inexpensive, usually less than $2 apiece, and provide an easy way to bring your theme to the table.
Baby-sock flowers. Twisted and rolled from tiny baby socks, these “flowers” require minimal skills to make, but they have a big impact as well as a practical use-they can be taken apart so that the socks can be worn by baby. Rosettes can also be made from layette items, which make a fabulous bouquet for mom, centerpiece, and gift for baby. Roses can be made at-home or, for the craft-challenged, purchased online.
Diaper cake or cupcakes. The tiered tower of diapers is wrapped in ribbon and frosted with baby products like shampoo, lotion, pacifiers, bottles, and socks-and a stuffed animal or crib toy on top is a baby shower standard. Cloth or disposable diapers can be used, depending on the new parents’ preference. Cakes can be created with one to five tiers, so they can become a substantial and useful centerpiece.
Napkin rings
When you accessorize a table, the napkin ring acts as party jewelry. Experiment with different colors, textures, and materials and go a little crazy.
Pipe cleaners. Alone or in a group, these versatile with wonders can be twisted into a variety of curls and wiggles to create a festive look.
Ribbons. Giant satin bows, simple grosgrain knots, or exotic wired, multilayered bows can be tied around a plain napkin for lots of impact. Raffia-wrapped linen napkins give the table an air of sophistication.
Pacifiers and rattles. Slip the napkin in the ring or tie it to the napkin with ribbon or pipe cleaners. Pacifiers and rattles come in a variety of colors and can be collected and sanitized for the mommy-to-be to take home.
Licorice laces, candy button tape, and candy bracelets. Tie around brightly colored cloth or paper napkins for edible, playful, and kid-inspired tableware.
Clever favors
Sending guests home with a little present is part of the shower tradition. Although it is not necessary, it’s a nice sendoff from the hostess. Favors can match the theme, and should be something that all guests, regardless of age or situation, will enjoy and appreciate. When possible, choose favors that can do double duty as both a guest takeaway and a décor item.
Food items
Favors based on food items are possibly the most popular, versatile, and of course, yummy. Chocolate is a perennial favorite, followed by nut blends, jelly beans, and the like. A food-focused favor allows you to integrate the shower theme in the packaging, while still giving something that everyone will enjoy.
If you choose to give food as a favor, a good way to integrate it into your shower design is to customize it. You can create personalized labels and packaging on your computer, or go online to order it done for you. A decadent jar of hot fudge sauce with a shipping-tag label stating “share the cravings” is destined to be a hit with guests.
Consider these food-related ideas:
Candy bars. Customize candy bars for a “sweet” shower favor or birth announcement. Easy and inexpensive, you can create your own candy bar label on the computer, download a design from the web, or order them with customized designs either online or at candy specialty stores.
Snack packs. Create your own signature snack mix for a unique and interesting take-home gift. Roast cashews with rosemary and place in a labeled tin, blend candied walnuts and bing cherries for a terrific salad topper, try popcorn and gummy fish in mini-fishbowls ties with cellophane. Homemade garlic-thyme croutons in a wax paper bag with a Caesar salad recipe, or handmade granola in a tin canister will all be high-impact, low-budget remembrances.
Specialty foods. If sweets don’t suit your shower-favor desires, consider more unusual food products. Olive oil, extra virgin or infused with Meyer lemons or herbs, is a cook’s dream. Or maybe gourmet popcorn packets packaged with list of popcorn toppers like chocolate chips. Or perhaps beverage-flavoring syrups with a recipe for an Italian soda, exotic coffees or teas, bags of pasta-they now come in unusual shapes, flavors, and colors-with for example, a pomodoro sauce recipe card. Jellies, mustards, tapenades, olives, and lemon or lime curds are available with beautiful packaging in a variety of sizes and price points.
Novelty candies. Baby bottles filled with candy, candy lipsticks, and jewelry can all be incorporated into adorable shower favors. Margarita lollipops, lollipops shaped like dice, and classic old-fashioned swirl pops come pre-wrapped, so they only need a tag, ribbon, or label to say “thank you and goodbye.”
Don’t forget to add a customized label to your favor. They add that extra special touch.
Beauty products
Since so many baby showers are the exclusive domain of women, beauty products are always a favor favorite. The advantage of a beauty-product present is that one or two tiny items are all you need. If you have the time, you can collect samples from the department store makeup counters. The local mall or drug emporium carriers a dazzling array of products and samples for every conceivable beauty need-from dry-skin cream and scrub to a honey-infused facial mask.
Lotion and creams. Hand creams, eye creams, bleaching creams, smoothing creams, tanning creams, toning creams, wrinkle creams-there is a cream for everything. From fragrance-infused to fragrance-free, you will have dozens of options to choose from, including the now popular “green” products that are environmentally and socially responsible.
Makeup. A shimmery lip gloss, a neutral-toned eye pencil, makeup remover pads, travel-size brushes, even travel containers for makeup make great favors, and women love the idea of getting something they don’t always buy for themselves.
Fingers and toes. Manicure and pedicure products are always a good bet. Nail polishes in neutrals or fashion colors never go out of style. Emery boards-they now come in leopard, zebra, polka dots, and stripes-paired with toe separators, polish remover, or fancy cotton balls are another good favor.
Stress busters. Anything that enhances the potential to relax is a plus. Eye masks, aroma-therapy bath products, specialty shampoos, even scented candles to put around the tub all make a splash as
baby shower favors.
