The Baby Shower, the one party with no rules.

Anyone can throw a party for the new parent(s) to be.

The party can be for the new mom, or new dad, or new parents.

There can even be more then one party, like one at work by the co-workers. Or maybe by the new Grand-parents to be. Best friends or even by other family members.

Even if a child will be adopted, or it could be the second or third child to join the family; there is no reason why you can not celebrate this joyest time with a party.

Be it a surprise party or one the new parents know about, get everyone involved in it. Pick the place, pick the time, make the list of everyone to invite, and ask them what they would like to do. Then let them give you feedback on what they can do.

Some ideas to think about for the party:
*decorations; the colors, the baby theme for the baby's new room
*cake
*games, prizes
*food
*drinks
*gifts, a list of what the parents already have and still will need (like a car seat to get the baby home from the hospital)
*who's taking pictures

The three best toys to give a child:

Blocks

Balls

Stacking cups

These will provide fun for years as they grow, and as they learn how to use them in so many different ways. Plus all the motor skills, drop, pick up, shapes, colors, stacking, rolling, filling, soft and hard, and the list goes on.

Baby showers are not what they used to be - with a lot of pink for a girl or blue for a boy, or yellow and green when you do not know what it will be. Today there are big bright bold colors to pick from.

Here is a list of some gift ideas:

Baby books in a cloth or with plastic-coated drool-proof pages.

A picture frame to go with either the baby's room or living room theme (with a gift card from the shop where you puchased it so they can have the baby's name and birthday engraved on it later).

A photo album/or scrapbook.

A baby cup, plate/or bowl, and spoon; made of fine china or a sterling silver set that can be later engraved on.

A keepsake locket, cross or tiny ring with the birthstone; that can be put on a neckless later for a girl.

A toy chest.

Any handmade item, stuffed animal or toy, made with love.

A piggy bank, with some gold dollar coins.

A CD with lullaby music for rocking the baby to sleep.

A special keepsake container for "First Tooth", "First Curl" from the first hair cut.

A plaster kit, to make a keepsake picture - where the baby puts their feet or hands into.

Another idea is to remember the new mother with a little gift:

A new T-shirt or top to make her feel pretty again.

A gift to a spa / or a pamper pack where you put together a little basket of bath oil, a loofah mitt, scented soap and candles, and a relax CD, and a little "Do Not Disturb" sign to hang on the bathroom door.

Meals on wheels idea - to deliver a fresh homemade salad and tea at noon. Or for evening delivery ready made home made dinner(s) for a week, as she will not have time to eat or make nourishing meals for herself and the family when she gets home that first week with the baby.

Homemade Baby-Sitting coupons, that she can call you when she could use a little time away, or a nap. Or House-Cleaning coupons, to come over and help out with the laundry, dusting, dishes, vaccum or other odd jobs to help her with.

If you want, we can also put something together for you, just ask.