A baby shower is a wonderfully enjoyable event for the mom-to-be and for her family and friends. The gifts that are given and received at a shower are tokens of love and friendship for the expectant parents and often represent a very helpful contribution to the needs of a family with a newborn baby.

The invitation is usually the first element in the baby shower that most of the guests will see. Coming in the weeks before the party itself, it’s a preview of the theme and tone of the event. It sets the mood of the occasion and can be the first of many features that makes the shower a stand out event and a memory to treasure.

Very often the person hosting the shower will be a friend or relative of the expectant mother. It’s important that the parents’ preferences be taken into account in the various aspects of the preparation — and this includes choosing the theme, of course.

This can be done by talking to the parents well in advance — especially the mom — as well as the organizers making every effort to put themselves in the parents’ shoes.

An invitation to a baby shower — just like any other party — needs to include essential information about the time and location of the event. Consider also including the name and contact telephone number of the organizer, whether the baby is to be a boy or girl (assuming, of course, that the parents know the gender and do not wish to keep it a secret) and the party theme.

In many cases, guests coming to a baby shower will ask if they can help by bringing some party items or contribute some dishes to help the event go with a swing. It will be helpful to decided before you send out invitations whether you want to make the shower a ‘pot luck’ lunch or supper party or have guests contribute to the organization of the event.

If you’re planning to hold a baby shower in the coming months, getting the invitations ready and sent will be one of the first organizational jobs you have to do. Fortunately, elegant baby shower invitations don’t need to be expensive or complicated — you can even make them yourself.

Despite the growing influence of email in today’s world, there’s still something rather charming about receiving a printed invitation to a special party in the mail. So it’s a nice idea to invite your guests by sending cards that you have themed according to the style of the shower party.

There’s no end of themes to choose from, and most will suggest a design or motif that you can incorporate into the invitation layout. You may like the idea of traditional designs that include motifs such as a lamb, the moon or a duckling or which have a baby associated background such as a blue gingham pattern. Or you can go with something more unusual, such as a sports theme — you can even find Elvis invitations!

If you do an online search you’ll easily find sites which allow you to create a downloadable or printable template, along with suggestions for wording. If you have experience with a graphics program such as Photoshop you can design your own totally unique invitation.

Most modern color printers will do the job of printing out your invitations very effectively, and depending on the model you own you may be able to use a heavier weight of paper or card. If you’re design includes a motif or graphic, you could perhaps print it on the address label as well to make the envelope part of the theme.

When you’re phrasing your invitation, don’t forget to double check that you have included key information about the time and location of the shower party, together with instructions about an RSVP. Make sure to send them out to your invitees early enough for guests to keep the date free — though not so far ahead that they forget about the party!

Are you attending a baby shower some time soon? Do you know what gift you’re going to give the lucky parents-to-be?

Many people are stumped for ideas for good baby shower gifts, especially if the expectant parents haven’t made any sort of list of the things they need or would like. Even if you’re a parent of older children yourself, after a few years you can easily forget what it’s like to be in the shoes of an expectant mom.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to jump-start your imagination if you’re feeling uninspired. Start with what you know about the parents or the baby: for example, it is known whether they’re expecting a boy or girl? Some starter baby clothes will always be welcome - and if you’re not sure if you’ll make the right choice, ask the store to enclose a gift receipt to make it easier to for the parents to exchange the item if necessary.

Are you into crafts or embroidery? Some of the most treasured gifts are those that are hand made by the giver - for example, a baby quilt. If you know the couple well, it may be possible to customize the quilt with items of designs that reflect the family.

Another splendid idea - although one which takes quite a lot more planning ahead - is to distribute squares of the quilt material among the shower guests and ask each person to design their own square. You can then incorporate these into the finished quilt for a charming, truly unique and practical keepsake.

How about a baby scrapbook? You can usually find all kinds of themes, materials and resources at your local scrapbook supplier - or do an online search.

A final tip: don’t forget the dad! It’s often the case that most of the presents at a baby shower are directed towards the mom-to-be. So it’s a nice idea to find something for the father to make sure he doesn’t feel too left out!