An invitation is as simple as picking up the phone and verbally inviting the mom-to-be’s friends to your party. Invitations can also be sent by email and there are many web sites on the net offering free e-vites. If you have a budget to mail out invitations, clever invitations can be constructed from colored paper or by making a collage on paper of the themes that match the party. For instance, if the theme is ducks, it is quite simple to make a template in a duck shape and cut out multiples of its form out of yellow construction paper and write the information on the duck. A simple tip: no matter how cheap or handmade the written invitation sprinkling a bit of glitter inside the envelope always enhances it!
At the very least, every baby shower should have balloons. It might also be a good idea to drag out the Christmas lights and string them around the party area to make it look as festive as possible.
It is also easy to make a hand-made banner or sign welcoming the mother to her baby shower using construction paper and a good set of markers. This kind of sign can also be constructed letter by letter using aluminum foil.
Construction paper can also be used to cut out motifs for the party, such as ducks, stars, hearts or pictures of angels. These can be pasted on the wall and also larger versions can be used as placemats. You can also try the old “daisy chain” trick we all learned in grade school, which is to make an “accordion” of folds of paper, cut out a motif, and then unravel the chain to use as a banner.
If you can’t afford a caterer, then get your guests to cater the party for you by assigning them each a dish to bring to your buffet. You can also delegate responsibility by assigning them each an item to bring: for instance, one guest might be responsible for bringing extra chairs, another might be responsible for procuring a videocamera, another ice for the party and so o
Some guests have been known to arrive at showers with laundry hampers filled with well-washed used baby clothes that take the child to the age of five. Another option is to fill a toy box with similar items.
Perhaps the cheapest and most traditional present, is a box of disposable baby diapers. A new mother can never have enough of those!