Hi, Pootypootwell !
Rather than spending your money on decorations that then go in the
trash, how about decorating with items that then become gifts for the
baby ? For example, a mobile you can hang from the ceiling, an
alphabet wall frieze that you can Blu-Tak up. Replace one of the
lampshades with a children's one, and so on. Add one of those balloons
with a cute toy inside.
Some other ideas for the non-crafty hostess are at:
http://www.baby-shower.com/infant/decorations.html
Among other ideas they suggest:
"...set up a train on your table and fill the cars with small baby
items such as teething rings, pacifiers, rattles, and booties.
...
Purchase a small umbrella and hang it upside down over the table or
where the mother-to-be will sit to open gifts. Fill it with balloons
and let ribbons or streamers hang over the edges."
The last idea would work equally well for a Valentine's theme - pink
and blue balloons for a nursery theme, pink and red for Valentine's
with maybe a couple of those heart shaped ones thrown in.
Click on "themes" for a lot of ideas contributed by visitors to the
site - find out what worked for them !
They are affiliates of MakeParties.com and sell both baby shower and
Valentine's decorations at reasonable prices at:
http://babyshower.makesparties.com/catalog/template.php3?category=7
There's a small Valentine's kit at $10.95 and a large one for $40.00,
and some nice baby shower "Canopies" to hang over a table.
Baby Showers Etc is another Makes Parties affiliate with a slightly
different range including banners.
http://baby-showers-etc.com/
And AParty2Remember is affiliated with both MakesParties and
1800PartyConsultant to offer a wide range of Valentine's decorations
http://www.aparty2remember.com/Valentine'sDay.html
You can email them for party ideas.
Go direct to 1800PartyConsultant at:
http://www.1800partyconsultant.com/_parties_special_occasions/BabyShowerBanne.cfm?id=56804
for some good Baby Shower banners.
Some good general advice on giving a shower is at Babyzone:
http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/shower/babyshowers.asp
Their "Ideas for Hip Theme Parties" include:
"Basket Shower
Each guest has a theme for her gift basket. It's fun to see what
everybody comes up with, and of course the basket should be part of
the gift! (Guests could use baby bathtubs, toy bins, or even little
laundry hampers for baskets -- be creative!) Some ideas for themes
include meal/nursing basket, a nursery basket, bath basket, diaper
basket, and toy basket. We're sure you can come up with even more! "
Personally I am a great believer in helium balloons and lots of
curling ribbon. Either have the balloons delivered, or get a
blow-it-up yourself kit (but I wouldn't bother for a small party).
They make a place look great very simply, they hang about up near the
ceiling, which is a plus if you're pushed for space - you say it's a
small apartment - and if you have one for each guest (plus a couple
of spares for the ones that get popped) they can each take home a
balloon and relive their childhood, while you achieve instant tidying
up
For Valentine's you could add a single rose for each guest, massed
together as a centerpiece until the time comes to give them out.
Make some heart shaped ice cubes for the drinks, perhaps - make them
pink with food colouring, or with a dash of bitters if it's that kind
of party. If you're into cookie making, go for heart shaped cookie
cutters. For a nursery shower, go for one of those sets of novelty
cutters with a rabbit, a pig, a star etc.
Plum Party sell the ice cube tray and the heart shaped cookie cutters
at:
http://plumparty.com/Merchant2/agent.mv?AG23&SC=CTGY&S=100200&C=valentines
One tip: before you commit to a colour scheme for your decorations,
make sure the colours won't clash with the way you've decorated your
apartment
Keep it simple, and don't stress out - the idea is to have fun ! Have
a great party !
Search terms: "Baby showers"
"Valentine's decorations" |
