While we try to plan for every aspect of our lives, sometimes events occur that can prevent us from having the advance notice we need to organize everything perfectly. Situations such as family emergencies, travel plans, or early delivery can often lead to a last minute baby shower. Although not necessarily ideal, here are some simple ideas that can help you plan a last minute baby shower that will be fun for everyone involved.

• Ask for Help
  Whether you have a week’s notice or a month’s, you can plan a fantastic event. The first step is to call for help. By asking friends and family for their assistance, you are alerting them to the event as well as getting the help you desperately need. You will also be getting a lot of unsolicited advice, so it is important to remember that you are in charge and not let others take over your event. With more people helping, it is essential that you keep track of what everyone is doing and what still needs to be done.
  
• The Internet Saves Time
  With invitations, emails, and online ordering, you can get a great deal of work accomplished in a fraction of the time you would spend sending things through the mail, calling or shopping.
  
• Think Outside the Box
  Although cliché, this is exactly what you need to do when planning a last minute event. Instead of the traditional party venues, you can use a family member’s house, a park, a friend’s boat or go to the beach. Rather than traditional games, try gathering at a bowling alley or miniature golf range. Always remember to think of what the new mother enjoys most.
  
• Decorations and Food
  When you have decided on a location, ask friends to bring in old baby pictures, books, or clothing. Each guest can bring a covered dish, for a diverse menu that will have something that everyone can enjoy. Pick a theme or idea, so you can coordinate the right decorations and food items. Remember to label it all so guests can bring home their dishes or leftovers after the event.
  
• Favors
  Favors are a great addition to any event. Just because you are planning a last minute party, doesn’t mean you can’t have fantastic favors. At Favor Favor Baby, you can find a wide variety of favors that will fit any budget. Often, you can receive your items in less than a week and they can really enhance your event.  We have personalized favors from coffee to chocolates that are wonderful individually or presented together in gift bags or baskets. Just remember to double check the production time!

While things are often hectic, you can most definitely arrange a fantastic last minute baby shower. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to plan a wonderful event that your friends and family will love. Always remember, though, to step back and enjoy every moment of this special time.

When it comes to expressing your excitement about the birth of your little one, everyone knows how hard it is to contain your emotions.  You want to shout it from the rooftops and let everyone know that you are so happy.  Nowadays, we have to watch our wallets and be creative yet thrifty.  Here are some helpful tips on affordable baby shower decorations and favors.

1. BALLOONS
   There is no better way to show your cheer than with balloons.  You can express so much excitement and joy with well picked out colorful balloons.  If you are feeling rich, you can even pay to have a balloon arrangement made.  If you are crafty, you can attempt to do it yourself.  Some people make braid-like arrangements or hang a rainbow shaped balloon arrangement over a low wall.  You can also hang balloons with confetti inside of them, and pop them after your event for a delightful (yet messy) surprise.  You can also have balloon animals or items made.
   
2. STREAMERS
   What can’t you do with streamers?  The most inexpensive streamersare the crepe ones, which you can find in any party store in a variety of nice subtle baby colors.  Some even have designs on them.  You can decorate hallways, doors, chairs, tables, the wishing well and so much more.  They are easy to clean up when the shower is done and also very inexpensive.  When your guests see how you have creatively decorated the shower venue, they will definitely love how you have expressed yourself.

3. BANNERS
   Having a banner makes it known that you are there to party.  It also marks your special occasion as an important and joyous event.  Choose a stock phrase or have one custom designed for you. Either way, a festive banner will definitely add to the ambience.

4. CENTERPIECES
   Many people love centerpieces.  The centerpieces that you choose can say so much about the precious moment that you are experiencing as you await the birth of your baby.  Just browse Favor Favor Baby for some excellent items you can use as centerpieces – from diaper cakes to tiers of personalized mugs or boxed gifts that guests then take home with them as favors.

5. GARLANDS
   There are so many decorative baby shower themed garlands to pick from, in many shapes and sizes. You can hang them from just about anywhere, plus they are very portable and easy to clean up.
   
   

There are also many other ideas, including the favors you choose for your guests, so be creative and go ahead, express the whirlwind of emotions that you are experiencing. Awaiting your little one’s arrival is a joyous period in your life and you should be able to express it anyway you like.  Enjoy!

Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!  It is no secret that scrapbooking has become a very popular craze.  People love it because it allows you to creatively express the way you feel, and at the end you get a keepsake of the fun memories you have had at your shower. And while planning your shower, don’t forget to pick up some terrific favors for your guests to take home, too!

Several questions remain of what you should include in a scrapbook and what you shouldn’t.  How should your scrapbook be set up?  There are so many ways to go about this.  Here are some helpful hints:

1. First, determine how many scrapbooks you want.
   Some baby showers, depending on how you want to proceed, can allow for more than one scrapbook.  You can do a single scrapbook created by all your guests at the shower.  All you have to do is tell your guests ahead of time that you plan on having them contribute, and they can bring something special they’d like to contribute. Then just pass it around. Or, you can have your guests at the shower create one per table and decorate each the way they want.  This is the way your guests can express themselves and share the joy of your special moment.
2. Next, determine the layout of your scrapbook.
   You can set it up by topic prior to the shower so that your guests have some guidance, or you can give your guests total control and just let them decorate it the way they want.
3. Purchase the materials.
   Make sure you provide the scrapbook album(s), scissors, tape, glue, or any adhesive materials, coloring supplies (markers, pens, pencils and crayons), stickers, pictures and other related type materials for your scrapbook.  You can also take pieces of the wrapping paper and ribbons from the gifts and have guests make them part of the scrapbook.
4. Provide items to include in the scrapbook.
   Some ideas include pictures of the parents to be and maybe even a picture of the ultra sound. Also, you can give your guests a list of fun facts of the parents to be and the baby.  For example, write the dates of birth of the parents, the expectant date of the new baby and the date the mother to be found out she was pregnant.  You can even dedicate a page or two to a guessing game of when the baby will be born and at what time.  If the sex is a surprise, you can also include a vote of what the people think the sex of the baby will be.

Have fun with this!  Remember that this fantastic project is for you to enjoy and see what kind of scrapbooks your guests will help you come up with.  This can give your guests a chance to show you how excited they are about your baby.  These are helpful suggestions, but feel free to deviate and personalize it anyway you want.  After all, this scrapbook should be a reflection of you!

When a new baby is about to arrive, it is a time to rejoice with your family and friends. Unfortunately, due to this harsh economic climate, finding the money for a celebration is sometimes difficult. Here are some great tips to help you plan a wonderful event that can fit into any sized budget!

1. Host the party at someone’s house.
   When choosing a location, remember that a loved one’s home provides a personal touch that your guests will enjoy.  The comfort and intimacy of this venue will create the relaxed and fun atmosphere that is perfect for this joyous occasion.
2. Use Evite Invitations.
   Instead of spending money on printed invitations, send your family and friends an evite! One website that can help is evite.com. Available in a wide variety of styles and themes, these internet invitations will let you contact everyone for free! In addition, evites alert you when your guests respond and they keep track of who is attending so you don’t have to.
3. Use home photos, childhood books and treasured toys for decorations.
   Some of the most precious and nostalgic items in the world are free! So go to the attic and retrieve all those fantastic items that meant so much to you when you were a child.
4. Encourage guests to help with the party!
   From menu items to decorations, your guests are a great resource that can make the difference at your event. Have guests bring in some of their favorite books or baby pictures. Include menu items that guests can bring with them. Not only will you have a wonderful diversity available to you, your guests will all feel that they have played an important role in the planning of the party.
5. Use the internet as a great source of games and entertainment.
   Every shower includes a wide variety of games to keep the guests involved and excited throughout the event. Instead of going out and purchasing games, you can research some fantastic ideas that cost very little. At www.BabyShowers.info, you will find some great ideas from personalized crossword puzzles welcoming the new addition to traditional games like ‘How Big is Mom’s Tummy’ or ‘Guess the Baby Food.’
6. Provide inexpensive but lovely favors for your guests to take home.
   Finding the perfect token of this momentous occasion doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Go to www.FavorFavorBaby.com to find unique and fun favors that can fit into any budget. We even have a section with favors under $.99 each.

Don’t let the economy keep you from celebrating this incredibly wonderful moment for you and your family. Whether you use all of these ideas or just a few, you can enjoy a fantastic event that doesn’t break the bank!