Decorating Your Home for a Baby Shower

Choose a Theme

Select from ideas such as:

• baby animals
• nests
• children's books
• alphabet blocks
• a country picnic
• all-white
• toy cars
• firetrucks
• summer brunch
• spa day
• autumn
• seedlings
• new year
• pinecones
• your own unique theme

A theme helps you focus your decorations, providing a cohesive look for the party. If the nursery will have a theme, that can be a great place to start. Ask the parents if they have any suggestions or if they would rather be surprised. A mother who is dreaming of a forest-themed nursery might love the opportunity to invite her friends and family to participate in bringing this idea to life.

Invitations set the tone

Create invitations with the shower theme in mind. Invitations for a baby animal themed shower can contain cute animal imagery from pre-packaged invitations or designs you download online. If you are artistic, hand-painted invitations are a treasure that the parents can incorporate into a baby book. Or commission a personalized design for a special gift to the family. A "feather the nest" shower might feature a bird's nest filled with eggs and a 3-dimensional element such as a small branch tied to the card stock with ribbon. Flower showers can include a swirl of buds that extends onto the envelope; seedling shower invites can include a few sunflower seeds glued right on the card. Include the location of the registry on the invitations, or suggest gifts--a children's book party invites guests to bring their favorite picture book; a pink-and-green party suggests bringing pink and green colored items as nursery furnishings.

Set the table

Linens vary depending on the time of day and level of formality of the party. A French country theme might use yellow and blue fleur-de-lis tablecloths, mustard colored napkins and include a bouquet of bright red poppies next to every place card. An all-white party might incorporate vintage white linens with lacie doilies beneath arrangements of white hydrangeas. Slip sprigs of baby's breath into raffia ties on white cotton napkins and provide small dishes of white chocolate to complete the look. A children's book party can include a selection of books on the table as well as color photocopies of famous children's book characters attached to place cards. A casual BBQ style shower keeps it simple with a red and white checked plastic tablecloth and bright red paper napkins. Don't make a fussy party for a family who is not. But don't make a "build-your-own-sundae" party on a bare kitchen counter for a family who would prefer a small piece of foie gras and a flute of sparkling cider in a restaurant with a view. The goal of the table is to make the guests of honor feel relaxed, comfortable and happy.

Design centerpieces

Baby shower centerpieces can be floral, inorganic or a combination of both. Make centerpieces that reflect the mood you want to create. Select small potted plants then invite guests to take them home as favors. Arrange handfuls of gum balls in the bottom of glass jars to provide a base for bright artificial blooms. Dried sticks mixed with berries and autumn leaves can be handsome for an autumn shower. Tiny plantings of succulents, big sunflowers or sweet rosebud bouquets all work well in clever vases. Use glass baby bottles as vases and add toys, ribbons, pacifiers and rattles to your design for treats the parents can take home. Small plantings of wheat grass "planted" with crayons are an adorable touch with a kindergarten feel. Stack hat-boxes to add height to your centerpiece and place small arrangements on different levels. Fill clear vases with lemons, limes and oranges for an inexpensive, colorful and re-usable display. Attach colorful paper to bamboo skewers to fill out vases when they look thin.

Create a Banner or Garland

This is an easy way to make the party seem special. Use fresh marigold blossoms if they are available, threading them onto fishing wire and draping them artfully around the room. Use pennants cut from sweet cotton printed fabrics, gluing them to ribbon or twine for a cheery option. Try simple paper chains if you are short on time or crafting abilities. Buy metallic garlands for shimmer, or faux vines that include flowers and berries. Use wire to attach artificial birds to lamps, curtain rods and garlands to take a baby bird theme all the way to the clouds.

Give Unforgettable Party Favors

Stamp guests' initials on linens with fabric paint; these can double as place cards. Lavender sachets for drawers are a fragrant gift for an elegant all-white party. Jordan almonds covered in robin's egg blue are perfect for a baby bird party. Try giving small jars of jam or marmalade, tulip bulbs, potted herbs, vanilla sugar, or cookies in cute box. An organic family might appreciate small mixed baskets of fruit and vegetables from the local farmer's market, perfect for emphasizing a home-making theme.

Incorporate Your Theme into the Cake

Use your theme to influence the beverages and the meal, too, if you are serving one. A baby block theme is adorable when you ice individual cupcakes with different letters. Flower themes are a burst of cheer when you scatter edible blossoms on top of a cheerful cake iced with daffodil yellow. A brunch flower shower might not have a cake; serve bowls of fruit and mini-quiches on floral plates, in this case. Pick cookies with nuts and seeds and call them "birdseed" cookies for a baby bird party.

However you choose to decorate, throwing a baby shower will be a great way to celebrate this exciting time with family and friends.