April showers bring May flower, but spring months also burst with wedding showers, and baby showers.

I had a pleasure of attending a baby shower, a couple of weeks ago, and as always, I look for and admire, the creativity of others.

I spotted a very nice diaper cake:

Someone put a lot of effort into decorating this cake with numerous, and  very useful baby items.

The food was wonderful, as it took place in a very cozy Italian restaurant,  in New Jersey.

The favors were quite appropriate for the season and the occasion, and very practical.

This cute kitchen gadget, which everyone always needs, was an egg shaped kitchen timer, nestled in a pretty gift box:

Isn’t  that just the most wonderful idea?  (I actually needed a kitchen timer, as  my decided to retire before its time).

If you are planning a baby shower in a near future, these are some ideas for you, or you can  check out my previous posts for great games ideas, thoughtful favors, blue or pink punch recipes, or a different version of a diaper cake.

It can’t get any easier to find all of these ideas with only a few clicks of your mouse.

Enjoy your party planning.

photo credit: alicegop

Showers are lots of fun, since you get to see so many interesting gifts, chat with some of your old friends, and meet new ones, snack on variety of tasty foods, play fun games, and even win prizes… if you’re lucky.
I will share a few of the games we played at my daughter’s baby shower.

Guess the flavor of the baby food:

1. I purchased 6 jars of baby food (carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, pears, peas, green beans).
2. Peeled off the labels, and taped them on a sheet of paper and numbered each label with the same number as the jar it came off of  (later on I used the sheet as an answer key).
3. I placed a sufficient number of pencils and scrap paper in a basket next to the jars.
4. The interested players had to write down the food flavor in each jar, by just looking at the unopened jars (I thought it was more fun this way, rather than tasting it, and guessing the flavor).
5. The player with the highest number of correct answers was the winner.

Gift Bingo:

1. I purchased a pack of round multi-color stickers.
2. Numbered the stickers from 1-50, since I had 50 guests at the shower.
3. Each gift box brought to the shower was labeled with a numbered sticker.
4. I printed out 50 blank bingo cards, and each guest received one card and a pencil.
5. Each player had to fill in their Bingo cards with numbers between 1-50.
6. As the gifts were being opened, the sticker was removed, and its number called out.
7. Everyone who had that number on their Bingo card, would circle it.
8. As soon as someone had a row of numbers circled for Bingo, they would call “BINGO”.
9. Gifts were given out to each winner, until the last gift was opened.   (You can buy lots of prizes, so you do not run out, or stop playing the game once all the prizes are given away)

Guess the number of  jelly beans in a baby bottle:

1. I purchased a baby bottle and a bag of jelly beans.
2. Filled the bottle with enough jelly beans all the way into the tip of the nipple.
3. Counted the jelly beans as I was filling up the bottle.
4. Wrote the number of jelly beans on a small piece of paper , folded it into a small square, and taped it to the bottom of the bottle (of course, on one knew it was there).
5. Each player had to write down their name on a sheet of paper placed by the bottle, and enter their guess of the  number of jelly beans in the bottle.
6. The person closest to the actual number of jelly beans in this bottle was the winner of the bottle and the jelly beans.  (I kept the bottle in its original wrapping,  so it was known that it was brand new).

There are many different games to play at showers, but you are the best judge of how many you want to select, so the shower does not run for too long, especially if it is taking place away from home, and your available time is limited.

“April showers bring May flowers” (a very familiar phrase), but spring also brings lots of baby and wedding showers.

Last spring when I was planning a baby shower for my daughter, I searched for different themes and decorating ideas.  I came upon this wonderful idea for a centerpiece….a Diaper Cake.  I was so impressed by it, that I decided to make one on my own.

There are many selections of diaper cakes you can purchase (they range in price from $29.95 – $220, depending on the size of the cake, and additional decorations), but I liked the challenge of creating one of  my own.  After all, I had nothing to lose, even if the project failed, the diapers would still be usable.  I would like to share  my technique of creating a Diaper Cake Centerpiece.

Supplies:

• Box of size 1 diapers (at least 90 pieces)
• Cake platter
• 100 rubber bands (assorted sizes)
• Roll of paper towels
• 3 yards of ribbon
• Your choice of decorations (small baby toys and small baby items)

Instructions:

1. Roll up one diaper at a time, starting at the top and tightly rolling down to the bottom.
2. Wrap around twice with a rubber band.
3. Set aside until you have enough for one layer.
4. The base layer will require at least 30 rolled up diapers.
5. Layer two – at least 25 rolled up diapers.
6. Layer three – at least 19 rolled up diapers.
7. Top layer – at least 10 rolled up diapers.
8. These numbers might vary slightly, depending on how tight you roll them, and how large is your middle stabilizer.
9. Remove at least half of the paper towels from the roll, to slim it down, since you will use it for the middle stabilizer.
10. Start arranging rolled diapers around the bottom of the stabilizer, at least two layers side by side, so your base layer is at least 12 inches in diameter.
11. Secure layer with a large rubber band.
12. Repeat same process for second layer and third.
13. If your middle stabilizer is too short, you can extend it by inserting bottle washers in the middle, or some thin, long toy, or rattles, etc.
14. Measure enough ribbon to go around each layer plus extra to tie a bow (you may chose not to have a bow, especially if the shower is for a baby boy).
15. You can strategically tuck into the ribbon around the cake, some small toys or baby items, as additional decoration.
16. Select your favorite topper for your cake.

Voila….you are done, and your  project is a success!!!

Tips: You can decorate the layers with additional baby items like rattles, pacifiers, wash cloths, socks, bibs, small toys, etc.

Stay tuned….additional baby shower posts are coming up!

This is a very simple, light, refreshing, and colorful party salad.
I received many compliments from my guests, especially the ladies, at our Super Bowl Party last year.   This vinaigrette also makes a great dish for office parties, barbecues, baby showers, and it is admired by my vegetarian friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black eyed peas – drained
• 1 can shoepeg corn – drained
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbs. diced cilantro
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 red pepper- diced
• 1/2 green pepper – diced
• 1 stalk celery – diced
• Salt and pepper
• Chives or scallions

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a medium size bowl , and mix together.
2. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight, so the flavors blend well.

This recipe makes 5 cups of  refreshing vinaigrette salad, to complement other party foods on the menu.

Tip.  I prefer to rinse the beans and corn, in a colander under running cold water (for a fresher look), instead of just draining them.