Setting the scene for a baby shower is an easy theme that you can either create in a subtle, stylish way, or go all out! Here are some ideas to have your place looking baby-licious before the guests arrive to celebrate the bub’s impending arrival.

• Balloons and banners – Balloons are always nice and they establish an instant party feel. You can buy them in a range of gorgeous pastel and pearl colours. Tie one to each guest’s chair or use a bunch as a centerpiece. Put a banner up near the entrance to welcome everyone. There are stacks of options to choose from, alternatively you can make your own with photos of the mum and dad to be when they were little!
• Table setting – Pale blue and soft pink are the obvious choices for colour theming, but there are also creams, soft pastels and even chocolate brown that work just as well. If you don’t want to go to the extent of ‘baby shower’-specific napkins and plates, just stick to a mix of your chosen colours for plates, cups and napkins on a white tablecloth. Cut out cute place cards for guests in the shape of say, a rocking horse or teddy bear. If you’ve sent one of our baby shower e-invites, print out the main image and use for a cute place card for your guests or a thank you card tied to some sweets wrapped in cellophane or tissue paper.
• Mum-to-be outfit – Make her a sparkly but simple sash to wear for the afternoon, proclaiming, ‘Yummy mummy to be!’ or one of our stunning Mum-to-be singlets in either Boy, Girl or “Mother-To-Be” are all stylish and very practical. This is the last time your friend will be made a fuss of in a while so do your best to make her feel extra special.
• Bunting flags – These look stylish strung up across the room. Make your own bunting using fabric or paper triangles sewn or glued to a length of ribbon. Cut the triangles using pinking shears to make it extra-fancy (here’s a step-by-step guide). Or simply buy bunting flags online if you’re not up for the creative challenge. Bunting also makes a great decoration in the baby’s room later, so it will double as a gift for the mum-to-be.
• Lanterns and Pom Poms – Paper lanterns and decorative pom poms make your baby shower look that extra bit magical. Lanterns in bursts of colour are available in small, medium and large in so many gorgeous colours. String them across in a row or vertically. Decorative Pom Poms are new on the scene and have a soft and luxurious look and feel. Both of these decorations also look great indoors and outdoors and can be used over and over again.
• Baby-themed food – Our mini bites menu article has some fantastic recommendations for baby shower food. You can also take a look at the 10 best cupcake recipes and choose what will suit your theme and guests best. You also can’t go past a great little cardboard cupcake stand – light, easy to assemble and very very cute.
• Keepsake book for the mum-to-be – Buy a gorgeous blank journal so each guest can write their best piece of parenting advice (either from personal experience or something their own mum once told them!). Another alternative idea is to ask guests to bring along their favourite recipe for the mum to be… she may not have much time to cook when the little one arrives but will certainly find them useful as time goes by!
• Centrepiece – You can make your own pretty display with a simple basket filled with baby goodies like singlets, bibs, creams and something special for mum like massage oil. Or if you’ve done enough of the D.I.Y thing – why not consider some of these buba-licious boxes and bouquets that have been cleverly made from baby clothes to look like bunches of flowers.
• For more baby shower decorating inspiration, visit My Party Store