Baby shower invitation ideas need to represent the sense of joy and expectation that a tiny new life awakens in the parents-to-be and all their family and friends. The invites are likely to set the tone for the day and you have to plan them with care. They should fit into the general theme of the party. Choose a unique baby shower invitation idea that will become a delightful memento of the imminent arrival of another special boy or girl.

You probably know the mom-to-be well enough to be able to form an idea about what she will enjoy. Perhaps you can start by looking at the nursery and use the decor as a theme for the party. For instance, if there is a classic Winnie The Pooh crib, you can build the event around that. There will be more than enough material available. If the furnishings feature African safari crib bedding, you can use all sorts of cuddly animals to create a delightful and unique baby shower invitation idea, filled with animal antics. Tiny, fluffy animals can accompany the invites.

Although the occasion needs to be spirited and lighthearted, don't try to be too funny. This is not the time to embarrass the mom. Remember that she is likely to feel somewhat emotional and overloaded, so to speak. Be sensitive to her feelings and state of mind. Make sure that it is a day that ensures her of the support, love and care of all her friends and family. Make it a pick-me-up afternoon that will add to her excitement about the arrival of the baby.

Your unique baby shower invitation idea can include the basics, such as the name of the mom-to-be and her baby (if this has been decided), the date and time, the address and directions, and RSVP and a telephone number. If arrangements have been made for a gift registry, this information can also be mentioned here. Many invites include a fun poem.

1. Distribute Mini Diapers

These are always a hit and will bring a smile every time. You can cut nappy-squares from your choice of paper or flannel. Decorate them as you wish and write all the details neatly with a felt-tip pen. Then fold them into triangles and further as you would a diaper. The finishing touch is a small diaper pin. A variation on this theme is to use real, disposable diapers. This may not be so cute, but can also do the job. You can then write all the details on the nappy.

2. Launch A Mini Library

Story-times in a nursery glider or rocking chair are always special, almost right from the start. Use your baby shower invitation idea to help the new mom to build a book collection well in advance of the nap-time tale hours. Create a story book theme around old favorites and ask each guest to bring her special read. It can be a childhood treasure of her own, or it can be her child's read-it-again books. Personalize the idea by asking each person to include a short inscription in the book, detailing why it is the source of happy book-hour memories. If the theme revolves around animals, ask for books in which animal characters feature.

3. Down A Mom Memory Lane

As most guests will probably know the mom-to-be well, ask them to compile a small scrap-book filled with memories and pictures of their contact with her over the years. If they know her from childhood, that much the better. Ask them to tell stories about growing up with her, special occasions, pranks or her school years. These will become treasures later on.

4. Message In A Bottle

Design your invitation on quality paper. Roll it up and tie a colorful ribbon around it. You can even cut out bottle-shaped invitations for this purpose. Pop this into a baby bottle. Ask the guest to bring the bottle to the shower, so that the mom can collect them. If real bottles are too expensive for you, buy small doll-sized bottles, make a hole in the invitation and tie it with a ribbon to the bottle. For variations on this theme, use pacifiers or bibs. If you use a bottle, baby shower favors and other interesting goodies can be added.

5. Baby Babble

Create cards that appear to be written by the on-the-way infant. This can be adorable. If you have access to an ultrasound image, you can make copies and use it to decorate the card. Write a sweet message from the baby, inviting each guest personally to attend the joyous occasion. This is an inexpensive, yet original idea.

6. Practical Mom Treats

Create a list of practical treats and help the new mom will treasure and appreciate during the first few weeks with the new arrival. These can include assistance with family meals, sending her for a beauty treatment, arranging time away for the new parents, offers to baby sit while she has some quiet time with a chocolate and a magazine, doing some cleaning for her, or a collection of bath treats. Ask the guests to choose from this list and surprise the family with some much needed help once the baby arrives. Most new moms will feel totally overwhelmed at some point and a kind gesture from a friend can be just the lift she needs on a particularly exhausting day. This is a unique baby shower invitation idea that will be appreciated.

7. Spoil-Shower

If you can afford it and plan to invite only women, why not arrange with beautician friends to help you to organize a treat for them all. Design the baby shower invitation idea around a beauty feast for moms. Perhaps you can do it in the form of a special 'pass' that will allow them access to a variety of fun treats, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, manicures, pedicures or make-up advice. You can fill small containers with a fragrant lavender bubble bath and tie the 'pass' to it with a ribbon. At that stage of the pregnancy, the mom-to-be will probably love to be pampered for an afternoon. If you can hold the party at a spa, so much the better.

These are just a few ideas to get your mind into the right gear. Your friend will love you for the effort you put into the arrangements. She will feel special and adored. Most of all, she won't be able to wait for the baby to arrive. Remember to ask that guests bring a small gift or sweetie for the siblings. They can easily feel neglected when all the attention is focused on the soon-to-arrive infant.

Don't stress about the occasion. Make the unique baby shower invitation idea fun and enjoy yourself.