You've got good news, and you want to share it with the world! There's a precious bundle of joy on the way- a brand new baby to light up the world of those close in distance as well as those that are close at heart. Show the expecting mother-to-be that care- it's time to begin planning a festive party in honor of the new parents and their upcoming little one- it's time to begin planning the baby shower.

Oddly enough, the baby showers of days gone by used to be held after the child was born for fear of bad luck. As far back as ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, friends and neighbors of a newborn baby's family often brought gifts for the little one, or handcrafted something special for the new parents. Today's style of organized baby showers, complete with a very pregnant mother present, didn't start popping onto the scene until after World War II, coinciding with the beginning of the baby boom.

For upcoming parents, a new baby can be overwhelming and expensive- that's where the baby shower comes in. Friends of the family-to-be traditionally do the planning for the event, but more recent years have seen the future grandparents lending a hand or two as the expense of a baby shower can be somewhat overwhelming in itself. One way of chipping in is by taking care of the baby shower invitations. It's a relatively small expense comparatively, but one of great importance and in need of detailed attention.

Nothing sets the stage for a great baby shower more than the invitations. Not only do they notify friends and family of the upcoming event, but they also make wonderful keepsakes for years to come- making the perfect page focus for an avid scrap-booking fan. Custom printed invitations complete this task with a minimal amount of effort from you, so you'll be able to spend more time on other details of the upcoming event. Be sure to pick out your party theme before ordering the invitations so that every detail of the shower will be coordinated.

If you know the gender of baby beforehand, you can have a color theme plus one baby detail, like lavender diapers, yellow rubber duckies, pink safety pins, or blue pacifiers- pick out the invitations first, then the party decor. Be a bit cautious not to overdo the theme! A solid color tablecloth mixed with patterned cake plates and solid dinner plates, pattern cake napkins and solid dinner napkins will be an ideal mix for a stunning display. And on the center table, next to the cake, have a matted and framed baby shower invitation for the proud parents-to-be to place on the wall in the nursery.