Most shower hostesses are chomping at the bit to dive into the fun part of party planning- decorating. Styling the baby shower can run the gamut from simply a line of yellow duckies on the dining room table to a living room completely swathed in pink tulle. The theme usually dictates the party’s flair as well as the parting gift- the favors. In the chapter, you will discover some new ideas, professional decorating tips, and delightful baby shower favors that guests will love.

Basic elements of décor

Before you get carried away with colors and patterns, paper plates, and polka-dot linens, take the time to evaluate the areas that need to be dressed up for the party and the elements that will make your home look festive

You already have determined the critical details like how many guests are coming; whether you are serving appetizers, a meal, or just dessert; and whether it will be sit-down or buffet, catered or potluck. Now you can have some fun and add the finishing touches.

Start by walking through your home or shower venue with designer eyes. Some rooms have a natural focal point, like a fireplace or bay windows. Some have dramatic architecture, while others have a cozy, comfortable look. Don’t look at the flaws, look at the space. This is the canvas that you will create your shower look in and on.

Areas to decorate

The major areas to evaluate for decorating are the outdoor entrance to the home, the inside entryway or foyer, the main party room- whether it’s your living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, or patio, and the power room.

Walkway. Your home’s walkway will welcome guests to the party held inside. It should be swept of debris and, if necessary, lit at night for safety. Luminaries- paper bags filled with sand and a candle- are inexpensive and give a warm, inviting party feel. A terracotta pot with a flowering plant or topiary or a balloon bouquet at the door also announces the festivities within. Wreaths or other door ornaments can be tied with tulle or ribbon for a simply way to say, “Come in for party.”

Inside entryway. Once inside, guests will need to unburden themselves of presents and, perhaps, coats. Have a coat closet or rack at the ready and a designed place to put gifts. If you foyer is large enough, consider setting up a cocktail/ mock tail station with a tray of drinks.

Main room, living room, or family room. This is where the party will happen. During your walk-through you will need to consider traffic flow and conversational seating arrangements. Professional party planners often rearrange the furniture to form clusters of chairs around or in proximity to a low table. Remove any excess clutter or delicate breakable.

Powder room. A vase of flowers, a votive candle, interesting guest towels, an unusual soap, and a bottle of hand lotion give a bathroom a party feel.

Backyard. Think of  your backyard as another room in your home. If weather permits, bring some indoor seating outside and add homey touches like warm woven throws, colorful cushions, or interesting pillows. Don’t forget to carry the theme outside by using flowers, candles, umbrellas, an area rug, and even balloons.

Focal points. Make the most of what you already have by featuring your room’s natural focal point, be it a fireplace, window, or archway. Another option is to create a new focus area- set up a seat of honor by wrapping a dining room chair in tulle, tie a balloon bouquet for added emphasis, then arrange presents nearby for easy access when it’s time to unwrap them. A dining room table or food serving table is an obvious place to spotlight and should receive special attention- a multilayered tablescape including candles, flowers, rose petals, baby items, confetti, menu cards, and the like.

Elements

Dressing up your home for the party takes many elements, all of them sensory. The use of color, lighting, and space arrangement all contribute to the creation of a party look.

Visual elements. Once you have determined the areas that will receive your attention, look around and figure out what you have on hand that can be used as part of the décor.

Lighting. Use light levels to create mood. A room should be well lit. but not glaring and harsh. Low lights and candles create a feeling of intimacy, which may work for a more formal dinner, an evening of cocktails, or a luncheon with girlfriends and conversation.

Space arrangement. Traffic should flow easily. Make sure that seating is clustered and pathways for movement are clear. Allow for travel space around food-service tables, and avoid traffic bottlenecks by placing beverages and food in separate areas.  Be sure to have appropriate seating for the mom-to-be and any elderly guests. Open presents in an area that will allow most people to sit or watch comfortably.

Auditory elements. A party without music is a bad place to be; music fills in the party space. You don’t need to hire a deejay for every event, but you will need a mix of tunes, a sound system, and enough songs to last for three to four hours. Music should be played loud enough to add a note of interest, but not so loud that you can’t hear your own conversation.

Aromatic elements. The power of scent is well documented. Nothing is as intoxicating as the smell of cookies baking, garlic roasting, or something browning on the grill. Equally powerful is the fragrance of flowers, candles, or perfume.

Creating décor that delivers your theme

Now that you have inventoried your home for potential decorating treasures, you are ready to tie your shower together. Colors and baby icons that relate to your selected theme must be incorporated into the layers of party materials. When blended and mixed, these elements will lend flair and style.

Before you begin shopping for table toppers, centerpieces, and the like, take into account that is coming to your shower. Is your guest list made up of adults, grownups with young children, couples, ladies from church, girlfriends from work, or mothers and grandmothers? You don’t want bone china and chintz with kids racing around the pool.

Shower décor and the budget

The purpose of shower décor is to enhance what already exists, not to hide every flaw in the venue space. Typically, shower décor, including paper plates, napkins, cups, centerpieces, flowers, candles, and balloons, represents about 20 percent of the total shower budget.

Most hostesses want to have the nicest possible shower they can afford. But decorating costs can add up quickly, so as with all party preparation, planning is a must. Once you have assessed your space and figured out all the decorating possibilities, you must determine what you will need to purchase or bring in to set the party mood.

Materials and supplies

Like all parties, a baby shower does require a few special purchases to complete the event, regardless of what you choose for the theme and décor. Here are some of the basics your party will need to get dressed up for company.

Dishware and silverware. If you have decided not to use paper plates and the like, you should assess your dishware. Today, an eclectic mix of good china with everyday dishes, and multiple patterns of glassware and flatware are encourages and often gives a more interesting effect.

Paper goods. If you are using paper plates and cups, they should match the décor. If in doubt, stick with basic white. Printed paper goods are usually prettier, but sacrifice looks for durability when choosing a paper plate-and avoid costly carpet and furniture cleaning from a messy spill off a droopy plate.

Linens. In lieu of the standard damask tablecloths you may have in a hope chest or closet, you can use old quilts, patterned sheets, burlap, canvas, even butcher paper as table dressing. As with all décor, layering adds interest and richness-a burlap table cloth with a lace overlay, white linen with brown wrapping paper, will set a dramatic and creative table. Felt, designer fabrics, and tulle can all be used as runners.

Table accessories. Candlesticks, framed menu cards, napkin rings, and place cards are perfect table accessories. Load picture frames with baby pictures of Mommy, Daddy, or Siblings. A pacifier or a rattle can double as a napkin ring, or you could fill baby bottles with pink or blue jelly beans and add a shipping tag with a guest name to use as a place card.

Balloons. Balloon bouquets are festive and pack a lot of decorating punch. Clusters up a walkway, strategically placed around the backyard, or tied to the back of each chair make the environment more festive.

Flowers. Baby showers and flowers go well together. Consult with your florist about what is seasonally available, because out of season blooms can send your budget soaring. Remember to also put fresh flowers or a flowering plant in the powder room.

Baby items. It’s a baby shower. After all. Decorate with stuffed animals, bath or beach toys, big yellow trucks, or sweetly dressed baby dolls. Wrap baby products in tulle, then cluster them together and tie with a giant bow. Voila-a centerpiece and a gift.

Baby shower color and pattern palettes

There are three elements of design that you can use to tie your decorating scheme into your shower’s theme. Color creates a mood and unifies the party space, a mix of patterns and solids creates interest, and theme icons remind guests that this is a baby shower.

Using colors

Any colors can be incorporated in the baby shower decorating theme. When using colors for party décor, avoid a smorgasbord-too many colors is visually distracting. Tie things together by using no more than three colors-main colors, on slightly lighter, and the third slightly stronger or brighter for accent. For example: use a soft pink with white and touches of black for drama. Substitute bubble-gum pink for the pastel and chocolate brown for the black to create a trendier look.

The following table shows some traditional and trendy color palettes that you can consider in your décor. Use this table to select your color palette. Carry the color scheme through in paper goods like napkins, plates and cups, flowers, and favors.

Color schemes

Color	Traditional	Trendy
Pink	Pale or baby pink with white or ivory	Fuchsia or hot pink with white, pale pink, black or chocolate brown, silver, pewter
Blue	Pale or sky blue with white or ivory	Pale blue or turquoise blue with chocolate brown, copper, stainless steel
Red	Fire engine red with primary colors- royal blue, crayon yellow, and tree green and white.	Shades of red from classic red to Moroccan red, russet, Indian red, hot pink, burnt orange with black and white, stainless steel, gold, bronze, purples
yellow	Pale or butter yellow with white	Marigold yellow with pewter gray, navy blue, or chocolate brown, copper
Green	Soft sage or pale apple green with white or ivory	Apple green or Godzilla green with chocolate brown, tangerine, Aegean blue, or lemon yellow, white or black, silver
Purple	Pale lavender with white or ivory	Lavender with pewter gray, aubergine, marigold, marigold, apple green, copper

Using solids and patterns

Patterns add interest and depth to the decorating scheme. When using patterns, the scale of the design must be considered. Large, bold graphic designs make a definitive, modern statement, but can also be overwhelming. Small floral and geometric designs, too much of a good thing is simply too much-black and white polka-dot napkins can add a perky touch, but a whole room attired in dots is dizzying. Save strong patterns for accents; use solids or subtler patterns for larger areas like tablecloths.

Using icons

If you have chosen a theme based on a particular image or item-a baby carriage, an angel, a duck, a rattle-you may want to incorporate this into your decorating plans. You can use the icon on invitations, as part of the centerpieces, or perhaps as a featured design on the paper plates, napkins, and cups you plan to use. By using graphic software or even a color copy machine, you can incorporate cute icons into your decorating plans and put your own creative signature on the baby shower.

Décor ideas and projects

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 centerpiece and a shower gift or table décor and a guest favor.

Centerpiece

The rule of thumb for a baby shower 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. Candle baby shower favors are very good choices. When possible, choose favors that can do double duty as both a guest takeaway and a décor item. or You can give them personalized baby shower favors.

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 a favor.