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Serving baby shower appetizers are the most common and convenient way to feed your guests. There are tons of possibilities when choosing which hors d'oeuvres to offer. Sweet, salty, cheesy, hot, cold...all kinds of options! And...guests love choices, so offer 4-6 different kinds of appetizers. (make sure to check out some great appetizer ideas under our recipes).

The baby shower appetizers can be made in replacement of a full meal that you might otherwise serve. Baby shower appetizers can be as complicated as baked spring rolls or as simple as rolled sandwiches cut into bite size pieces.

Helpful Tips:

1. Choose your Appetizers around the Shower Theme: For instance if you are having an Under the Sea Theme, you could get a goldfish glass bowl and place goldfish crackers in them and serve a shrimp dip with crackers.

2. Presentation is Key: If available, match your tableware with your shower theme. If your theme does not have matching tableware, you can get really creative and purchase a solid tableware color and have round sticker labels personalized to stick onto the cups and the corner of the napkins. Also, instead of serving one big bowl of dip, you could use individual baby food jars and place dip in those for your guests. Another great idea for the food table is to use small toys ie: small plush baby rattles or stuffed animals. You can use them for prizes or the mom to be gets to keep them as gifts.

3. Offer Healthy Choices: Small sandwiches make great substitutions and can be whipped up in large quantities without too much work. Finding a cookie cutter to cut special shapes out of the bread for a cool presentation is an idea. You can fill your sandwiches with egg salad, tuna fish, or deli meats. Do not forget about simple appetizers such as deviled eggs, veggie trays or cubed fruit.

4. Pay Attention to the Beverages: If you are hosting a large group of people, having a variety of drinks available is best. While coffee and tea are usually standard, keep in mind that the mom to be shouldn’t be having caffeine so offering a punch would be a great idea not to mention a punch bowl would make a great centerpiece. Using a baby bath tub for a punch bowl is an idea too.

Set Up A Fun Food Bar:

• Fruit/Yogurt Bar - Serve Vanilla Yogurt with fresh fruit toppings – blueberries, sliced strawberries, banana’s, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple topped with granola cereal
• Dessert Bar - Have cut up brownies with ice cream, and different toppings, could be fruit, candy, or syrups. Top off with whip cream and cherries.
• Mashed Potato Bar - serve mashed potatoes in martini glasses and have a huge selection of toppings laid out for guests to choose from. Grated cheese, olives, green onions, bacon bits, sour cream and butter! Yum!
• Taco Bar - have a variety of taco shells available such as soft and hard flour & corn tortillas, and taco salad bowls. Offer some scrumptious fillings such as chicken, beef, cheese, olives, salsa, refried beans, rice, jalapenos, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, hot sauce and whatever else comes to mind! Serve with a huge bowl of tortilla chips.

**Throwing a baby shower for a loved one will create cherished memories that last a lifetime, with the above hints, you should be able to reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen prepping the food and be able to focus on the rest of the shower**

As with any type of special occasion, it is always a good idea for the host to put together a baby shower budget. It’s true that nobody likes to hear the b-word, but even on a budget, a host can throw a baby shower that all will remember. Sure it’s important that the guests have fun, but a baby shower is first and foremost about being together with the people who mean the most to the expectant mother.

Budgeting for a baby shower is one of the first considerations many hosts have to think about. It is also one of the most difficult to arrange. Your budget determines the whole event: right from the number of guests you are planning, up to the where you will be holding the party. By setting a budget, you will not find yourself bankrupted because you spent too much money. You can also make sure the party becomes successful without any financial difficulty on your part.

When budgeting for a baby shower, you first have to estimate how many guests you are planning to have for the event. Will it be strictly for close friends and family, or will you be inviting neighbors and colleagues? Is the shower strictly for women? Once you have decided on the number of people, you can now set the budget. Another important consideration when setting a baby shower budget is the food. Of course, this will come after the number of guests has been finalized.

If you find the budget for the shower a bit too expensive, you should either lower the number of the people you’ve invited or look for a co-host to help you finance the event. There are also ways on how you can save money, so your budget will be sufficient.

Here are several suggestions to help you lower your baby shower budget:

• Renting out restaurants or hotel function rooms can be expensive, so it’s better if you just hold the party at your home, another hostess, or family member.
• Schedule the baby shower during snack time, such as early afternoon. By doing so, you don’t have to serve full meals. Finger foods and appetizers will suffice.
• You don’t need expensive party favors. Simple, but useful ones will do, such as candles or soaps.
• Keep your guest list small to include immediate family, and close friends.
• Co-host the baby shower with a family member or friend(s).

Benefits of co-hosting a shower:

Co-hosting, or having several baby shower hosts instead of just one, is becoming a popular option. When a baby shower will be co-hosted by several people, generally they all will share the costs. Together as a group, the co-hosts decide who will cover the different expenses involved with the shower. Another option, but one that’s sometimes more difficult to control, is to pool the co-hosts’ money together and useit jointly. Each host contributes a mutually-agreed upon amount to the shower fund and the expenditures are deducted from that joint funding.

Asking others to help fund a baby shower is something that must be handled with tact. It’s never a good idea to ask the mother-to-be or her partner to help with expenses nor is it appropriate to ask someone who is struggling financially.

It’s always much easier when others who are close to the expectant mother volunteer their assistance, rather than having to ask for it. In these situations, the host should not feel bad about accepting money, if she needs it or anything else they’re offering.

Besides money, there are other ways people can help. They can bring food and drinks (potlucks are still popular) or they can contribute their time rather than their money, all of which will be a tremendous help to the bridal shower host. Be sure to factor in other people’s help, whether financial or otherwise, when planning a baby shower budget.

When you decide to host a Baby Shower for both Men and Women, it is different than if you are hosting a traditional girls only shower. As with any celebration, keep your guests in mind as you choose everything from invites to games to the food.

Simple tips as you plan a Couples Shower:

• Make sure plenty of men will be there.
• Make the Invitations “Guy Friendly” –try to refrain from the expression “Jack & Jill”.
• Encourage the couple to register at favorite stores.
• Keep the men in mind when selecting “favors”.
• Games - make them ones that the men will enjoy and want to participate in.
• When it’s time to open gifts, encourage the “dad to be” to help mom open them.
• On the shower invitations, add a note to bring the dad a “gag gift” from the other guys.
• Keep in mind men are not going to be as interested in frilly decorations or silly games so the co-ed shower tends to be lower key.

Theme Suggestions for Couple Showers:

• Tropical – Host the shower outdoors on a patio, send out tropical invites, have some Jimmy Buffet/Beach Boy music playing as your guests arrive. Tiki Torches, grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts, the possibilities are endless (under the sea theme – crab towel – fish balloon- streamers – bright pink, yellow, green, blue)


• Food Ideas: Hawaiian grilled chicken – Virgin Pina Coladas or Tropical Fruit Smoothies – Seashell Macaroni Pasta, Fruit Kabobs
• Games: Baby Limbo: Strap a pillow around your waist and see who can bend the farthest (not recommended for mom to be)
• Bottles Up: For the men, fill the bottles up with some beer, and see who can “suck” the fastest – For the women, use a tropical fruit juice
• My Water Broke: Hand out an ice cube to each couple and let them use their imagination to see how fast they can get their water to “break”


• BBQ –Host the shower outside and send out the Little Cowboy Theme Invites. You can set up some hay bales around the yard, have your guests dress in western wear
• Food Ideas: Grilled corn on the cob, steak, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Fruit Salad


• Sports – Select a Sports themed invitation – you could host a “tailgating” party and let the men have fun around the grill during “game” time. You’re sure to hit a home run with this theme. Add in our sports themed tableware and it is sure to score points with your guests.
  • Food Ideas: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Fruit Salad, Meat & Cheese tray w/crackers. Bottled Gatorade would be a perfect beverage.

Baby shower etiquette is becoming more loose and relaxed than in the past, but there are still certain guidelines most people will expect to be followed.

Who Hosts the Baby Shower for the Mother?
In the past, tradition called for someone completely outside the family of the expectant mother to host the baby shower. However, it is now considered acceptable for a mother or sister to hold the baby showerand send out invitations, etc. It is not considered good manners for the mother to throw her own baby shower. While the mother-to-be can certainly have a say in certain things, and the hostess will get the guest list from her, the party is for her so it shouldn't be given by her.

Who is invited to the Baby Shower?
Sometimes a mother will have more than one baby shower if people from a certain circle want to host a specific event for her; she may have a baby shower at work, and one at church. Sometimes the hostess will want a small gathering of a particular group of people. Other times the baby shower hostess will ask the mother-to-be for whatever other friends and family she wants to include in the event. Couple Showers are becoming increasingly more popular. There are many games that you can play that will include both the men and women (see games).

Should a Mother Get a Baby Shower for her Second (or Third, or....) Baby?
While this may not make Miss Manners happy, my emphatic answer is YES! Every baby is a blessing and should be celebrated as the unique arrival to the world that he or she is. Without going into specifics ofa baby shower for an experienced mother, think about what she will definitely need.

Not only can she register for baby items she may not have received with the first baby, there are other items she'll be more in need of for a second or third time mother. Consider giving diapers in multiple sizes, baby wipes, and other perishables. Many mothers will also appreciate frozen meals ready to go since they will not only have a newborn infant to deal with, but also an older child to feed as well.

Gifts, Registries, and Thank You Notes
Gifts should be opened at the baby shower during the party so guests can see the mother appreciate the gift and other attendees can see what was given. The exception to this rule is, if the mother is given money directly, a greeting card can be mailed directly to their house. Gift cards are acceptable to open at a baby shower but are not passed around the room, nor is the amount disclosed to the other guests.

Baby registries are very useful ways for friends of the expectant parents to know what baby items are needed and themes that are desired. While it may have been considered bad etiquette to include gift registry information in the baby shower invitation in past decades, now it is usually considered helpful to do so.

Regardless of the times, thank you notes never go out of style. After the baby shower a mother-to-be should send thank you notes to her guests within about a month. Sometimes the hostess can have guests pre-address envelopes for the mother, and give them to her already stamped and ready to go to make this easier for her. The baby shower hostess should also make sure that someone is in charge of writing down what the mother received and who gave it, in case the cards get separated from the packages.

Guess the Date:
Set up a large grid ahead of time with the dates of the month when baby is due. You can have guests write their name on the date when they think the baby will be born. For a tie breaker, you can have the guests also write the time and weight of the baby. The host or hostess can be responsible for sending a prize to the winner after the baby comes.

Wet Diaper:
Break up into groups of 3-4. Each group gets a disposable newborn diaper, large pitcher of water, and a measuring cup. Each group predicts how much water they think the diaper will hold without the water leaking out. Write down the guess before you start. The group that comes closest wins a prize.

Bobbing for Nipples:
Buy several packages of baby bottle nipples and put them into a baby bath tub full of water, and play just like bobbing for apples.

Pregnant Twister:
Have a Twister game – 2 fanny packs, 2 10lb weights, and 2 pillows. Place the weights in the fanny packs and strap the fanny pack around the pillow around the stomach of the guest. Guests will compete one on one against each other until they lose. The winners of each round will advance to the next level – The last one standing is the winner!!

Diaper Poker: (Diaper Blackjack)
Each Person brings their own bag of diapers (any size) for their ante into the game. The diaper ante can equal any amount the hostess desires. (1 bag = $100 Dollars) Winner collects a prize

Baby Stroller Race:
Set up a course outside using a hose, yard decorations, trees, etc. that a stroller can navigate around. Make the course as long or short with curves, or turns. Time your guests as they navigate the course with the baby doll in the stroller, deducting points for going off course, losing control, or throwing the baby doll from the stroller. To make it more interesting, you can schedule a pit stop half way through the course where they have to stop and feed & burp the baby, change the diaper or rock the baby to sleep. The winner is the one who completes the course with the quickest time w/the baby doll still in the stroller.

Make a Baby:
Give Guests play dough and toothpicks and have them create a baby using only these 2 items. Time guests for five minutes (if a couples shower – blindfold the couples and make them work together to create the baby) Hostess picks the winning baby.

Babies First Savings Fund:
Note on the invitation about a raffle for a big prize, BRING YOUR MONEY! Each person at the shower can buy one raffle ticket for a $1 or ten for $5. At the end, a winner wins a nice prize like a gift certificate for dinner or Wal-Mart. Sometimes if you have extra prizes you can raffle prizes left over. The money collected starts the baby's 1st bank account. OR… When you mail out your invitations, note on the bottom that the first guest to show up at the shower will receive a prize (who don’t like a free gift?) Add whoever is last will have to empty all their pocket change into the babies piggy bank (which is provided by the hostess) this will lead to everyone to do the same just because it is for the baby.

Pass the Prize:
Here is a game that is a lot of fun. Have everyone stand in a circle. Make the list up before everyone arrives. It would go like this: Pass to a person with red hair. Pass to person with glasses. Pass to the person across from you. Count 3 people to left and pass to that person. Pass to person who's not wearing socks, etc. etc. You can make the list as detailed as you want and with whatever directions you want to use. Give a gift to a person and then start going down the list. Whoever has the gift when you get to the end of the list wins the prize. If it is a big group you can start the game with 2 gifts to 2 different people.

Baby's Name Game:
Pass out paper and pens to each guest. Have them write the baby's name (if unknown, the mom-to-be's name works well) down the edge of the paper. On go, have them look through their purse and find items beginning with each letter. The one who gets them all the quickest wins. For more fun, have the winner go through her list and show everyone what she had.

Baby's Price is Right:
This is so much more fun than the tray game. You purchase all of the baby items you want to get and then set them on a tray. Ask everyone to guess the prices of each item. When they are done with that they add up the total. Whoever is closest to the correct total amount wins!!!

Clothes Line Game:
Get a bundle of clothes in a laundry basket, a clothes line and clothes pins. You have two people hold each end of the clothes line, then you have a guest hang as many clothes as they can in 30 seconds (this is the hard part) while talking on the phone and holding a baby doll

Advice for Years Ahead:
Have every one draw a number from a bowl (as many numbers as there are guests--mom and hostess too starting with 0 for the birth day). The number represents the future age of the baby. Give every one a pieceof pretty paper and a matching envelope and have them write a letter to the baby at that age. No one is allowed to read it. They should be sealed and given to the mom to open on future birthdays.

Big Belly Race:
This is an excellent couples or co-ed shower idea!! Blow up some balloons, have all the men in the room (or women) put one under their shirts, and then have a "RACE" to see which one of them can tie their shoes the fastest!! This is truly FUNNY and the mom-to-be will absolutely love watching them. (Be careful though, all the laughing might put her into labor.)

Baby Pictionary:
This game is based upon the original Pictionary board game. Before the shower, place words relating to baby activities and items on small cards. (ex: Changing a diaper, giving birth, feeding time) At the shower, create teams and give each one a pad of paper and pencil. Let one member of the team see a card, then tell them to draw the word or phrase for their partners to guess. Use a timer or just play until someone guesses. When the time is up, the teams total up the number of words they have guessed correctly and the one who has the most wins a prize.

Are you attending a Baby Shower and unsure what to bring the mom to be for a gift?? In the virtual world that we live in today, most expectant mothers will register at places such as Target, Babies R Us, Wal-Mart, Buy Buy Baby, and Pottery Barn Kids. It is very easy to access gift registries right from your home with a few clicks of a button. If the expectant mother hasn’t registered anywhere than let us help you out with some great gift ideas...

• Magnificent Baby Basket - (excellent ideas for co-workers to purchase together) this basket contains most of the items that mom is going to need to get started with her new bundle of joy.




• Diaper Cakes – Not only do these make awesome centerpieces - they will wow your guests at the same time. Plus they are a fantastic gift for the mom to be after the shower – it will give her a head start on those diapers that she will definitely be using.
• Hooded Bath Towels - Every baby needs to be kept warm after their bath, and we all know that a new mom never has enough hours in the day to keep up with the huge pile of laundry that seems to accumulate.So, why not give her a couple “extra” bath towels to have in her linen closet.
• Crocheted Edged Baby Blankets Polar Fleece Blankets - These will be the perfect gift idea for the cute newborn baby. This cozy, soft fleece baby blanket is a fabulous baby shower gift or anytime gift. Ourbaby blankets are made of the highest quality fleece with an amazing crocheted edge. They will be the hit of the baby shower!
• Moses Basket with Polka Dots - What a great way to carry a new baby! Baby is sure to stay warm and feel secure inside this special bed! Recommended for use with babies up to 15 pounds.
• Baby Girl & Baby Boy Picture Frames – What better way to display baby’s first picture than in our adorable oval matted frames.

1-2 Months before the Shower

• Talk to the mom to be and decide on the date for the shower.
• Choose a location for the shower, if it is going to be in a public place, call for a reservation.
• Decide on a theme for the shower.
• Decide on the number of guests you will be inviting.
• Have the mom to be create a guest list with names and addresses of whom she wants to attend.
• Plan the games and activities you want to do.
• Make a list of the food and drinks you want to serve and start the grocery list OR..if you are planning on having it catered, call and make arrangements with the caterer.
• Choose the Invitations; Get your guests pumped with the theme of the shower and build on that.

2-3 Weeks prior to the Shower

• Finalize the menu.
• Send out your invitations (this can be done a week earlier) remember to include directions.
• Call and order the cake.
• Order your decorations (banners, balloons, streamers, diaper cakes) and your games that you will be playing.
• Order your party favors – prizes (try and order ones that will keep within the “theme” of the shower).

One Week prior to the Shower

• Gather up enough chairs and tables that you are going to need. Make sure you have a comfortable chair for the mommy.
• If you requested your guests to RSVP, make a final count, phone calls are ok to those who have yet to RSVP.
• Confirm reservations, if required.
• Make sure you have a camera on hand, if its digital, have a full charge. Or you can purchase disposable cameras and leave them around for the guests to take pictures during the shower.
• Begin to clean and prepare your house.

The Day before the Shower

• Review the games (make sure you know how they are played).
• Pick up the cake and any last minute food items (ice).
• Chill the beverages.
• Picture how the shower is going to go!!

THE BIG DAY!!

• Have your balloons inflated; you might want to place some at the end of your road and driveway to help guide guests to your house.
• Have a notebook handy to keep track of the gifts.
• Set out the beverages, glasses, and ice.
• Set out the food (if its warm you can use a Rubbermaid tub and fill it with ice and place the food dishes on top of the ice).
• Great your guests with a smile.
• Enjoy the Party, you’ve worked hard and deserve it!

Here are some baby shower invitation ideas that are designed around a theme for the party. The baby shower traditionally includes fun, games, and food, but the more meaningful consideration is to support the expectant mother and father with an abundance of good wishes and helpful suggestions.
Many baby showers focus on one or two areas of enjoyment that make the shower a party, but the best baby shower invitation ideas also create cherished memories as a gift that lasts for years after the celebration.

Wording is very important when you are writing an invitation. Make sure you have the following:

• Name of New Mother and or Baby
• Date of the Baby Shower
• Time of the Baby Shower
• Place of the Shower / Directions
• RSVP Name and Phone Number (emails also work)
• If the Mother to be is registered at any gift registries, mention these in the invitation
• A Poem or Verse either at the beginning or end
• **BE SURE TO SEND YOUR INVITATIONS OUT AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE**

Great ideas that you can use for the wording on your invitations:

• We reached for the stars, & got an armful of Heaven...
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, How we wonder what you are...
• Mom & Dad are filled with joy; help us celebrate their new girl or boy...
• Trains & Trucks or Ribbon & Bows….Boy or Girl… No one knows
• Cute Little Nose, Sweet Little Smile...A Baby is coming in Just a Short While!
• Bottles and Bows…Our Love Overflows… Join us in honor of...
• Someone Special, Someone Dear, Someone New to Love is Here...
• Hey Diddle Diddle, Have you seen _______ Middle? The baby will soon be here!
• When a Child is Born, So is a Mother!!
• Double the hands and double the feet.. We’re getting ready for double no sleep! (TWINS)
• Twice the footballs and tonka toys.. Lets celebrate our precious twin boys! (TWINS)
• Twice the dresses, twice the curls, Lets celebrate our precious twin girls! (TWINS)
• We are tickled pink and happy to say… a darling baby girl is on the way!
• Well saddle up you buckaroo…We’ve got a lot of celebratin’ to do!!
• The “Pre-Season” is almost over, He/She is almost here.. Please help us “kick off” his rookie year

Q: Am I more likely to get pregnant if my husband wears boxers or briefs?
A: You'll have an even better chance if he doesn't wear anything at all.


Q:I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A:With any luck, right after he finishes college.


Q:When is the best time to get an epidural?
A:Right after you find out you're pregnant.


Q:Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A:Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.


Q:How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?
A:If it's the flu, you'll get better.


Q:The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?
A:Because you're fatter than they are.


Q:My childbirth instructor says it is not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A:Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.


Q:How does one sanitize nipples?
A:Bathe daily and wear a clean bra. It beats boiling them in a saucepan.


Q:What are night terrors?
A:Frightening episodes in which the new mother dreams she's pregnant again.


Q:What happens to disposable diapers after they're thrown away?
A:They are stored in a silo in the Midwest, in the event of global chemical warfare.


Q:Why does the doctor spank a Baby after their born?
A:To knock the penis off the smart ones.

What Baby Shower is complete without a treasured Keepsake?

Our banners make the best keepsakes!! Instead of the traditional guest sign in book, have your guests sign the banner with their name and a wish for the baby. When the shower is through, present the banner to the expectant mom so she can take it to the hospital. Afterwards, she can display it in the baby’s room. The banner can then be rolled up and tucked safely away for a very personal keepsake.

You can also create a “baby board” that your guests can create by making guesses as to the sex of the baby, weight, length, date of birth, and even the baby name. Once the baby is born, the guest that guesses the closest wins. Guests can pay $1.00 per guess and have the money go into the baby’s 1st piggy bank.

Having someone with a digital camera designated just to take pictures of the guests and the shower and then put together a small 5x7 or 8x8 scrapbook for the mom as a reminder of the shower is another idea. Local Craft/Scrapbook stores carry such a wide variety of scrapbook papers and stickers that an album of the shower is guaranteed to be treasured. The scrapbook albums generally come with white page inserts. Ask your guests to take a few minutes and put a special message on the paper, snap a picture of them and when your photos are developed, place the picture on the page with the message.

When you start to plan your menu for the food that you will be serving, you should keep a few things in mind:


1. How many guests will be attending?
If you are having more than 10 guests attending, it would be recommended NOT to serve an entire meal. You would be less stressed if you were to serve finger foods, beverages, and appetizers. If you have less than 10 guests, you could do a sit down meal, but keep it easy!!

2. What time of day is your shower?
For morning or lunch showers, a menu consisting of fruits, yogurts, muffins, and quiches would be simple but elegant. A later shower menu could be comprised of finger sandwiches, vegetable tray, dips, and cupcakes. If you are doing an evening shower, you can serve up some casseroles, veggies, cheese and sausage tray, and a cake.

3. Do you have a theme for your shower?
There are some really fun foods out there to go along with almost any theme – if you are doing a cowboy theme, serve up some hot dogs and barbeque beans with potato chips. For a moon & star theme, you can serve ham and turkey sandwiches cut out with a star cookie cutter, and serve an “angel food cake”. If you make food to match your Baby Shower Theme you will certainly “WOW” your guests with the extra touch you put on the shower.

4. Allow yourself time for preparation
More than likely, time is not something you have a lot of. So keep the menu simple. Simple does not have to mean boring!! Just find recipes that are easy and fast to prepare. Click on the baby block with the letter R above and you will find a Recipe link for some really easy “Big Dot Family” Recipes that will assist you in preparing for your celebration.

5. Is anyone going to be helping you?
Assigning several other friends or family members of the expectant mother to prepare food will save you A LOT of time and work. As the hostess, you have so many other things to get ready for. Having a few people each bringing one or two baby shower menu items will save you a lot of work and stress for you. In addition, you won't have to be running around the day of the shower making sure that the food is ready. You can take comfort in the fact that the party food is taken care of and you can focus on the other last minute details.

As you begin to prepare for baby’s arrival, don’t forget about the nursery! Before you start buying for the baby, take a “stroll” through our list and write down any items that you will need. With today’s “virtual” world that we live in, you can register right from home in your bathrobe.

Baby Bedding & Accessories Comforter/Quilt
Bumper Pad
Crib Sheets
Dust Ruffle
Mobile
Lamp
Wallpaper/Border


Nursery Furniture Crib & Mattress
Cradle & Pad
Chest/Dresser
Rocker/Glider
Changing table/Cover


Infant Feeding Supplies High Chair
Bibs
Booster Seat
Sterilizer Kit
Bottle Brush/Bottle Warmer
Plastic Bottles/Nipples
Breast Pump Set/Nursing Pads


Infant Safety Products Nursery Monitor
Safety Gate
Thermometer
Night Lights
Outlet Plugs/Safety Latches
Nasal Aspirator


Bathing Necessities Baby Bath Tub
Bath Sponge
Hooded bath Towel
Nail Clippers/Brush Comb
Washclothes
Shampoo/Baby Wash/Lotion/Desitin/Baby Powder


Infant Travel Products Playpen
Infant Car Seat
Diaper Bag
Infant Stroller
Back Pack Carrier
Peek a Boo Cover


Infant Clothing Diapers
Onesies
Sleepers/Playwear
Socks/Shoes
Receiving Blankets

It’s quite overwhelming when you are going to organize a baby shower, there’s usually so much to do and so little time to do it in, plus you just never know if the “bundle of joy” is going to wait to make his/her appearance. Normally a baby shower is planned 1-2 months prior to the celebration. Let’s be practical though… Last minute showers seem to be the sign of the times. We are so busy with everyday activities that a shower can totally slip our minds. Even those last minute showers can be pulled off without a “hitch” IF you are organized.

Pick a theme: Choose a fun theme, even though a baby shower has its own built in theme, be adventurous and plan something spectacular that everyone will remember. Let your creativity flow…If mom to be is an“outside girl” plan a shower around a “Cowboy theme”.

Invites: Get a list from the mom to be of whom she would like at her shower. Send invitations out approximately one month before the event. Depending on your menu, you may want to include a RSVP date.

Games: Don’t feel obligated to come up with games just to “pass the time away”. Shower guests should feel welcome to chat and mingle with other guests and the mom to be. Depending on your time frame, choose 2-3 games that all the guests will enjoy. Make sure that you don’t purchase any that will offend the mom to be or the guests.

Favors: Most hostesses will purchase a favor that their guests can take home with them as a keepsake from the shower. For instance: lip balm, body butter, a candy bar with a personalized wrapper, Favors are also used for prizes for the games you play. These favors can be a little more expensive since you are purchasing just a few.

Decorations: You will want to show off a certain theme; therefore you will need to coordinate your decorations with that theme. Purchase banners, tableware, and balloons to match!

Remember the word GIGGLE when planning your baby shower...

G = Guest List: Be sure to invite all of the mom to be’s friends, co-workers, and family – so you do not leave anyone out, ask the mom to be to provide you with a list of names.

I = Invitations: Invitations should be sent out at least one month in advance. Know your theme and order your invitations around that theme – then coordinate your favors, tableware, and banner around the same theme.

G = Games: There are so many different games that you can play at your shower. You should take into consideration the number of guests, the location, and the time frame of the shower when determining how many games to play. For those that are invited that cannot attend, you can include them by using scratch off games and sending them a card that they can scratch off too. It will make them feel like they are still part of the shower!!

G= Great Food: Don’t spend too much time “stewing” over what to serve your guests. If you are hosting the shower in your home, go with simple finger foods like veggie & fruit trays, fresh fruit yogurt bar, mashed potato bar, mini pizza’s, tortilla wraps, mini sandwiches. If you are having an elegant sit down meal, the caterer will usually plan a meal around your theme. No matter what type of food you decide to serve, make sure there is enough of it- you don’t want to run out.

L = Location: Make sure that you are holding the shower in an area large enough to accommodate all the guests you have invited. You will $ave money in your budget by hosting it at your home versus a banquet hall. If you decide to host it at an outside venue, call ahead to make your reservations and make sure you inquire about decorating – some venues have rules that won’t allow you to decorate. Also make sure that they will be serving foods that the mommy to be and your guests will enjoy.

E = Expectant Mom: The shower is in celebration for the mother and her new baby. You want to keep her as comfortable as you can throughout the shower. Make sure that you have a comfortable chair that she can sit in and be relaxed during the event. If the shower is not a surprise, it’s a good idea to talk with the expectant mom and find out what she is going to be feeling like doing as far as games and food.

Q. How long does it take for my order to ship?
A. Wowzers, we are so fast that if you place your order today and use our standard shipping you will have it within 5-7 business days!! We do have 2,3 and 4 business day Rush shipping available as well – Last minute planning? No problem – check the box for a quote and an Expert Expert will get back to you with an overnight quote.

Q. How do I know how much shipping charges are?
A. That is very simple – Place your fun-tastic items in your cart and proceed to the nearest checkout lane – all you need to do is add your city, state and zip code in the shipping information and select which shipping option best fits your needs - once selected, the screen will refresh, scroll right up to the top of the page and VOILA – your shipping cost is right there!!!

Q. What can I do if I don’t find matching tableware to go with my theme?
A. We want to have it all….however there are some of our themes that don’t have matching tableware to go along with it. We do have a solution for you that was suggested to us by a customer – simply purchase solid color napkins, plates and cups then under our do-it-yourself menu, we have our round personalized sticker labels. We can take the matching graphic and personalize 2 text lines FREE for you (ie: African American Sweet Pea graphic with the first line of text saying: Priscilla’s Baby Shower and the 2nd text line would have the date of the shower) Simply apply the stickers to the front of the cups and onto the corner of the napkins – simply tie the theme in with a coordinating banner – and POOF...you have matching tableware.

Q. Do you ship outside of the United States?
A. Currently we deliver anywhere within the United States, Australia, and Canada, Our Big Dot fanatics have also offered to hand deliver orders internationally, and we appreciate the initiative they are taking, however it is not feasible at this time. :) We are always looking for ways to get our great products out to even more people, so please check back with us! If you live outside the United States and know someone that lives within the U.S. we would love to ship to them and they can forward onto you.

Q. If I want to order personalized items (banner, favors, invitations) how soon will my order ship?
A. Gadzooks, if you are ordering items that require personalization, your order WILL NOT be delayed a single day. (Unless you want to view a proof of your invitation prior to printing – see below) Our design experts are so A-W-E-S-O-M-E that they are referred to as our Superheros. Orders with personalization will ship out the next business day.

Q. What is the turn around time if I want a proof of my invitation?
A. Well… that depends on you!! Our design experts guarantee that they will have a proof emailed to you within 24 hours of receiving your order (unless you order on Friday or Saturday) As soon as you approve your proof, we will ship them out the next business day. Please make sure that if you don’t see your proof within 24 hours that you contact us or that you check your spam/junk folder.

Below are some Easy Recipe’s that you can copy for your Baby Shower that were submitted by our own Big Dot Family Fanatics.


Fruit Salsa
2 medium Granny Smith Apples
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
1 pear, chopped
1 cup strawberries or raspberries
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp apple jelly
2 tbsp ginger ale
Dipping crackers or chips


Clean and peel fruit. Dice apples, kiwis, pear and berries and spoon into mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, jelly and ginger ale. Pour over the fruit. Chill before serving with cinnamon tortilla chips, cinnamon graham sticks or cinnamon Wheat thins.


Chicken Croissants
2 dozen croissants
2 lbs chicken, cooked and diced
1 package cream cheese
¼ c. mayo
1 c grated cheddar cheese
2 green onion stalks, sliced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 can black olives
½ package roasted sliced almonds


Mix Cream cheese, mayonnaise in mixer. Blend until creamy add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and stuff into the croissants.

Abstinence on the Beach Punch
1 – 12 oz frozen concentrated grapefruit juice
1 -12 oz frozen cranberry juice concentrate
¼ c. coconut milk
9 c water


Combine grapefruit, cranberry and water. Put about 1 cup of juice and coconut milk in blender. Blend until smooth and pour back into pitcher. Chill at least 2 hours – serve in punch bowl.

Who is a Sprinkle Baby Shower for?
The baby sprinkle can be used for any children born after the first child. It can also be used for a new mom that already has all of the big items and would like a smaller celebration.

What is a Sprinkle?
A sprinkle is a smaller scale baby shower in which guests "sprinkle" the new mom with the little necessities she needs for a new baby. It is not a full blown shower, but just a light sprinkling of gifts. This has been gaining popularity over the years and is becoming a new trend.

How did it come about?
Baby showers first came about as a way for friends and family to gather in a celebration to help a new mom prepare for the baby. With a first child, a new mom needs to stock up on lots of baby supplies, including the big items (the car seat, stroller, high chair, crib, etc.). It used to be that baby showers were only held for the first child.

Why did it come about?
The parents already purchased the big items the first time around so they don't need as much for the next child. The baby sprinkle started as an idea to celebrate all children, since they are all a gift. It allows for a smaller baby shower, since the mom-to-be would need less this time around.

This is not to say you cannot have a full baby shower for baby #2 and beyond. If your circumstances require the need for a full baby shower, by all means go for it.

Invitation Ideas for a “Sprinkle” Shower:

Pins, Diapers, Bottles Galore (mothers name) and (fathers name) are having one more
Big (sister/brother) has plenty to share
This is only a sprinkle to show that we care
Please join us to celebrate before baby is due
We still do not know if it will be pink or blue
Baby smiles and giggles galore
_____ and _____ are having one more
Big Sister _______ has plenty to share
This is only a "sprinkle" to show that we care
Please join us to celebrate before Baby is due
They've got lots of pink, so think plenty of blue! (if its a boy!)

Baby Showers for twins can be double or triple the fun, and so can’t the expense of throwing one.

“Two” of the most popular themes for multiples are Noah’s Ark (two by two) or the Peas in a Pod.
“Peas in a Pod” is versatile enough that you can use it for twins, triplets, or more... Just changing the number will turn this theme into whatever you desire. In turn, finding party supplies to coordinate is a “Peas” of cake. We have everything you need from the invitations; games, favors, centerpiece, and banner to the tableware that you will need to successfully throw a “Two-riffic” shower.

When Decorating for a Twins Baby Shower – DOUBLE…DOUBLE...DOUBLE!!
You can double up on the streamers, balloons and banners so there are 2 of everything – Cute decorations that you can use are: double mint gum, Twix candy bars, Double Stuff Oreos.

If there’s one thing moms of multiples just can’t seem to get enough of, it’s the diapers. Part of your shower can be a “diaper drive”. Recommend that your guests bring an assortment of sizes including preemie/newborn up to 12 months. Designate a few guests to bring items such as diaper wipes, lotions, bath soap and baby shampoo.