Showers are no longer boxed in by traditional styles. Anything you can dream up is appropriate for today's baby showers. Whatever type of shower you decide to have, remember that it is for the whole family and in many instances, the father-to-be would like to be included. So, as you begin to plan your shower, find out from the guests of honor their preferences and plan around them.

Generally, a close friend or relative hosts the shower. If you are the grandmother-to-be and you want to host the shower, go for it! This day is just as special for you. Children's children are a crown to the aged. Proverbs 17:6.

Some of the responsibilities you, as the host, will have are choosing a date, a location, the games, the theme, what food to serve, offering gift ideas to guests, and recording the gifts received at the shower. You will also need to delegate to someone to take pictures and/or run the video camera. Or, have disposable cameras laying on the tables and ask guests to take pictures throughout the shower. As the host, the most important thing to remember is that this is the mom's day. Shower her with love and attention and keep the focus on her.

Themes will add character and individuality to your shower. A theme will also meet a specific need for the mother-to-be whether this is her first child or her fifth. A themed party does not have to be costly or time consuming to be successful. The most important factor is to make sure you inform your guests of the theme and what role they will need to play. Will they need to bring a particular type of gift? Will they need to be dressed in a particular style? Choose one of the themes below or use them to come up with your own ideas. Your shower is sure to be a hit

Celebrate the precious moments in Mom and Baby's lives. Instruct guests to bring gifts that represent baby's first words, foods, steps, photos, etc. Choose games that honor those precious moments. Decorate with Precious Moments.

This is a great idea for showers that have guests of all ages. Guests can dress up, enjoy teacakes, scones and a variety of teas. Decorate with dollhouses and doll furniture. For hostesses with a larger budget, why not hold the shower at a tea room?

This is a fun shower! On each invitation, write a specific time of day. Guests bring gifts that would be useful for the time of day written on her invitation. For example, 2 a.m. = Bring something like teething gel or diapers; 6 p.m. = Bring bibs or feeding items, etc.

Create a festive atmosphere by choosing decorations and tableware that reflect the personality of the family and the mood of the shower. Baby showers no longer have to be decorated with pink or blue streamers and balloons. Party supply stores and discount department stores offer a wide variety of options to choose from. Use your creativity! If you know that a family has a particular interest or hobby, decorate with that in mind. Many of the decorating ideas below can be used for many different decors. Read through each one and decide how it might fit into your party. Use the ideas to help you brainstorm and come up with a decor that is perfectly suited for the family you are hosting a shower for. Keep in mind to choose colors and paper goods that reflect the decor you have chosen.

• Baby toiletries can be used as weights for helium filled balloons.
• Bring in a balloon artist or do a little face painting to entertain guests‚ children.
• Decorate with bold, bright colors and blocks.

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