Looking for a surefire way to have everyone talking about your great baby shower weeks after the event is over? Here's the simple answer: set the mood from the moment the ladies walk into the party with fabulous decorations. Attractive and fun baby shower decorations add to the energy and fun of the event, and the secret to successfully choosing these decorations is simple: Set a theme! Having a theme instantly answers questions about all the other parts of the party: color, general decorations, wall decorations, table decorations and food.

The Theme

The limitless possibilities for a theme mean any size budget can sustain a successful baby shower. Open your mind and let your imagination guide you while staying grounded by your wallet. Here are a few ideas:

- Nursery Rhymes - Who doesn't cherish their memories of these?

- Tea Party

- Disney Characters - Everyone has fond memories of at least one.

- Diaper Party - Use diaper-shaped invites, decor, and gifts of diaper packets!

- Stuffed Animals - Who hasn't fallen in love with at least one stuffed animal?

- Barefoot and Pregnant - Is the expectant mother the first one in her group to have a child? Let her know everyone's behind her by asking guests to come to a "Barefoot and Pregnant Party" dressed in stuffed shirts to signify their "pregnancy" (yes, even the male guests!).

Shower Food

The chosen theme can guide you in determining the color for the baby shower. But what if you have a theme that works with any color? Simple, you can always go with the classics: blue for an expected boy or pink for a girl. If the gender of the baby is unknown, yellow and green have traditionally been used. White has recently emerged as another gender-neutral shower color, signifying purity and innocence. So whatever color you decide on, make sure you use it to tie together the other elements of the baby shower.

General Decor

Regardless of the theme you end up choosing, there are certain must-haves for every baby shower. Streamers, balloons, and banners set a festive tone. The balloons can also do double-duty when tied to a fence or post in front of the house to help arriving guests identify the location of the party.

There's no better way to remind all the guests of the real reason for the get-together than by having a completely "done" baby crib near the entrance to the party. Then, not only is the tone for the event set perfectly, but the baby crib can also be used as a stunning gift table.

Table Decor

Need some ideas to dress up your tables at the baby shower? It's a cinch. Baby-themed tablecloths with matching tableware can be found in many part stores. Want cute placemats? Try cloth diapers! Themed centerpieces fit for a baby shower can also be found at your local party store, but if you want to make your own, how about using stuffed animals holding small baskets filled with baby shower favors?

Other options for table decorations include a diaper cake, and a vase of fresh flowers with the color of the theme. Decorated diapers hanging on a clothesline, baby bracelet napkin holders, cookies in the shape of babies or animals, a stork placed outside the door, and baby figurines will add to the light-hearted spirit of the event.

To "polish" the look and feel of your party, make sure you have matching tableware. Coordinating plates, cups, spoons, forks, and napkins go a long way toward establishing the theme of the festivities, and these supplies can be easily found in most party stores. For the tablecloth, white is the most classic color for it, and you can easily jazz it up for the occasion by sprinkling animal- or baby-shaped confetti on it.

Food

Home-made or store-bought, either way, plenty of food is key to a successful baby shower. Here are some ideas that have worked out well in parties that I've hosted or been to. A macaroons, chocolate candies, a layer cake, marshmallows, chocolate- or yogurt-covered raisins and nuts. All these items are available at your local grocers, I'm sure. Here's a favorite of mine: serving milk or vanilla ice cream in clear, plastic baby bottles! And to help keep guests' stomachs from grumbling during the gift opening, supply them with edible party favors: chocolate-covered almonds served in baby booties and tied together with a white ribbon.

There are many fun-filled and creative ways to decorate a baby shower. An imaginative host will enjoy this occasion to honor the expectant mother and to hone her creative skills. Have fun!