Regardless of culture, location or budget, one of the most glorious celebrations in the world is the opportunity to welcome a new bouncing baby to the family. The new bundle of joy brings with him or her the opportunity for everyone in the circle of family and friends to anticipate new life, renewal and hope.

The Baby Shower is perhaps the most fun party we get to put together for our clients. It offers the opportunity to decorate in the softest of pastels, organise silly baby games for the guests and be innovative with our catering as the mum-to-be needs to celebrate with non-alcoholic cocktails.

If you’re asked to organise a Baby Shower for your best friend, sister or cousin, where do you start? Pink Frosting is happy to share our best ideas:

* Choose a date not too close to the due date! You don’t want any surprises!

* Choose a theme that suits the parents-to-be and their decorating style. Some of our loveliest themes are “Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice” (for a girl), “Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog’s Tails” (for a boy), Noah’s Ark, Storks, Peas in a Pod (for twins), and of course, anything from Beatrix Potter’s adorable stories. There is no sense in creating a theme that doesn’t suit the parents or their home. If you plan well, many of the decorations can be re-used in the nursery.

* Try and tie in the stationery, decorations, games and catering to the theme. It makes for a much more sensational event for your guest-of-honour. Pink Frosting has some great stationery and themes for you to choose from.

* Unless it’s a surprise party, discuss the guest list with the mum-to-be. You don’t want to leave anyone important out. If it is a surprise, consult widely to ensure you don’t miss anyone.

* Think outside the square when locating the event. Whilst showers are traditionally held in the home of the host, you could also hold the event at a restaurant, a park or a day spa.

* As with all invitations, ensure you have all of the important information on the stationery including: who the shower is being given for, location including address, time of the shower, host/hosts name, who to RSVP to and a deadline for RSVP, gift registry information, sex and name of the child (if appropriate). You might wish to also give information about dress, the theme of the shower and a map to the party location.

* For the catering, you have three options: hire a catering company, cater for the event yourself or ask the guests to all bring a dish. All of these options have a advantages. It really is up to you, your theme and your budget.

* Organise some great non-alcoholic cocktails for the event. You can find some great ideas in David Tutera’s “A Passion for Parties”.

* The cake is very important at a Baby Shower. Tie in the cake decoration with your theme. Again, you can either find a professional cake decorator in your local area or try and make one yourself. There are some great cake ideas in The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook and The Australian Women’s Weekly Kids Party Cakes books.

* Finally, for games, there are the classics such as the Clothes Peg Game (Give each guest a peg when they arrive and explain the rules to them. If you say “BABY” and someone hears you, that person gets your clothes peg. At the end of the shower, the person with the most clothes pegs is the WINNER!) or the Celebrity Mum’s & Dad’s game where guests need to match the names of celebrity’s children with their parents.

Most of all, have fun with your celebration. I would be more than happy to share these and other ideas with you anytime. Please drop me a line!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn