Having spent time working out the details for the baby shower, including the theme, the host and expectant mother now need to think about the decorations which are needed to create a truly memorable occasion. Just how extensive the decorating is going to be will depend to a large extent on the amount of money that has been allocated for this task and on the number of guests that will be attending.

The question of just how extensive your decorations should be is a difficult question to answer because it will depend on a number of different factors the most important of which will be your budget and the location for the shower. For example, if you decide to hold your shower at a local restaurant then you may be restricted in terms of the amount of time you have to decorate, just what you are allowed to decorate and the type of decorations you are allowed to use. This is one very good reason for deciding just what you want by way of decoration before your reserve a venue so that you can ensure that your final choice of location is going to permit you to decorate as you want to.

This said, no matter what the location, there are a few basic decorations which will go a long way towards creating the right atmosphere. For example, it's always a good idea to use a balloon bouquet to mark the location of the baby shower so that guests who may not be familiar with the location can spot it easily. And don't forget to use this welcoming bouquet to complement the theme of the baby shower. If you would like something a little different from balloons then a sign is a good alternative, particularly if it is in a distinctive shape such as that of a giant stork.

Next turn your attention to the paper goods and in particular to those things that you are going to need for serving food and drink. It is usual to serve some sort of food at a baby shower and your guests are going to have to have something to eat their food off and drink their drinks out of. Look for coordinated plates, cups, napkins, as well as knives, forks and spoons which support or complement the theme of your baby shower.

From there the remainder of your decorating becomes mainly a matter of money. Tablecloths are a very good way to pull your room together and, unless you have chosen a very unusual theme, you should be able to get a tablecloth decorated in your theme. Hanging paper streamers from the ceiling and stretching banners across the walls are other good and inexpensive ways to create the right atmosphere and reinforce the theme and message of your baby shower. And, if you want to add a bit of glitz, then a few bags of confetti sprinkled across tabletops can work well.

A themed centerpiece is something which always works well and draws attention and comments but, if money is tight, then you can always use the baby shower cake to double as your centerpiece. Another ever-popular centerpiece is one created using fresh flowers, perhaps built up with the use of your baby shower cards and some candles.

The secret to successful decorating is to plan and buy your decorations well in advance, except of course for such things as fresh flowers which need to be purchased at the last minute, and have everything to hand so that you are ready to go on your special day.