Homemade Baby Shower Favors - What You Shouldn't Give Your Guests

I love creating gifts for my family and friends. I think that something you make yourself really shows them how much you care and appreciate them. Taking the time to research a project, getting all the supplies you need, and putting in your time to create the item. It's so much more personal then going to the store and buying a ready made item. Of course you want to give them something they will absolutely love and put to good use!

Making homemade baby shower favors has become very popular. I can understand that because planning a baby shower can get expensive! So anywhere you can cut costs will add up.

After doing some searches for homemade baby shower favors online, I came across some really cute ideas. Some of them are great gifts for your guests, but others just don't seem appropriate. Those baby wash cloth lollipops are really cute but what will your guests do with a baby wash cloth? Your guests are taking time out of their busy lives to buy you a great baby gift and come to your baby shower. Don't you want to thank them with a gift that they will really appreciate?

Some of these ideas would be great for decorations for your shower but really shouldn't be given as a gift. Here are a few ideas of what you shouldn't give your guests:

• Baby wash cloth lollipops


• Baby sock roses


• Rubber duckies (unless they are rubber ducky lovers)


• Any kind of baby item shaped candles - carriages, rocking horses, pacifiers, etc. These are cute but do they really go with any one's decor? Save them for decorations. Rather, get the candle tins that have a cover which you could add a personalized baby designed label or decoration.





• Baby themed photo frames or coasters. Unless they have a baby or small children these probably won't get used.


• Crystal key chains that are shaped like booties, rocking horses', pacifiers, etc.

All of these items are really cute but they probably won't be used by your guests. Rather then wasting your time and money on gifts that will sit in a drawer collecting dust, try to give your guests a gift that they will want to use.

Here are some good choices for baby shower favors:

• Edible favors are always a hit. Fill a favor bag or favor box with chocolates, mints, or mini homemade cookies. Drink mix packets, cookie or muffin mix, and mini bags of coffee are another great edible favor. These can easily be decorated with colorful ribbon, personalized labels, or attach a themed favor tag. You can also make cookies using baby shaped cookie cutters. Then decorate with colorful icing.





• Get some mini scented tea light candles and put them in a decorative organza bag. There are many baby themed bags available at craft stores and online that are economical.


• Place scented soaps in an organza bag or wrap in cellophane with decorative ribbon and a tag. Again, you can find baby themed shaped soaps online or in craft stores. If you are crafty you can even make them yourself.


• Seed packets are a great way to celebrate the arrival of a new life! They are easy to plant and when they bloom it gives your guest a little memory of your baby shower.

When shopping for baby shower favors just ask yourself, "Is this something I would use?". If not, don't waste your time. Your guest will appreciate the gift you choose for them as much as you appreciate the one they bought for your baby.

Baby Shower Food Ideas

If you are planning a baby shower and are stumped for food ideas, here are a few recipes that are quick & easy to prepare.

If you are looking to stay on the light side, try this no-mayo chicken salad. It's quick to make and goes well with salad greens or small rolls.

No-Mayo Roasted Chicken Salad

• 1 Roasted chicken - pick up a ready-made one at your neighborhood grocers deli


• 14 - 16 red seedless grapes, quartered


• 2 stalks celery, diced


• 1 cup toasted sliced almonds


• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar


• 1/4 cup olive oil


• Salt & pepper to taste

Shred or dice chicken meat. Place in a large mixing bowl and add all ingredients. Mix well & chill until ready to serve. Makes 4 servings.

Pasta salad is an easy dish to make that goes a long way. This pasta salad can be made with your choice of veggies.

Pasta Salad with Feta Dressing

• 1-16 oz. box pasta, any shape.


• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar


• 1/2 cup olive oil


• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard


• Chopped Italian parsley, about a handful


• Salt & pepper to taste


• 1 packaged feta cheese, crumbled


• Vegetables of your choice, thinly sliced (julienne cut) - I like to use zucchini, yellow squash, green & red bell peppers, and carrots - about 1-2 of each depending on size.


• Cherry, grape, or sun dried tomatoes - quartered.


• 1 small can sliced black olives

Cook pasta, drain, and let cool slightly. Whisk together next 5 ingredients, then mix in feta cheese. Mix dressing and veggies into pasta. Chill until ready to serve. Makes about 8 servings.

One of my husband's co-workers brought this dessert to work and everyone loved it. The great thing about it is you can insert your own name and call it your creation!

(Insert your name) Incredible Dessert Cheese Ball

• 1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature


• 1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature


• 2 drops of vanilla


• 1/4 cup light brown sugar


• 1 cup powdered sugar


• Chopped pecans


• Mini chocolate chips (mini only!)


• 1 box chocolate wafers

Using an electric mixer, mix butter & cream cheese until well combined. Add vanilla. Mix in brown sugar & powdered sugar until combined. The mixture will be very soft and will need to chill for about 2 hours. Once it has chilled you can then form into a ball. Spread pecans & mini chocolate chips on a plate. Roll dessert ball in mixture until coated. Keep chilled until ready to serve. Serve with chocolate wafers. Your guests will definitely want the recipe!




Happy cooking & baby shower planning!

Baby Shower Themes and Planning

Join me in the month of May for great tips on baby shower planning and a different theme every week. This month I am going to share my knowledge of baby shower planning to give you great ideas to create a memorable baby shower.

Every week in May I will be covering a different themed baby shower. From food ideas to baby shower games, I will be offering you some great tips to make your planning a little easier.

This weeks theme is a Couple's Baby Shower. A coed theme has become very popular in the last few years. Why shouldn't the expecting daddy be involved too? Baby showers can be very girlie but there is no reason why you can't tone it down a little to make daddy feel welcomed!

So let's get started with some basic planning. This baby shower planning checklist will get you started and keep you organized.

Join us Tuesday for our first installment to create a perfect couple's baby shower.

7 Tips for Choosing Baby Shower Favors

You want the baby shower you're planning to be a joyful and memorable event. Whether you are planning a small casual get-together or a large formal event, you do not want to forget to include baby shower favors. Giving your guests a small token of your appreciation shows them how much you appreciate their time and generosity.

Here is a list of 7 tips to help you choose the perfect baby shower favors for your event.

• If you are using a specific theme, choose favors that coordinate with the theme. Let's say your theme is butterflies. These cute butterfly favor boxes would make a perfect gift and can be filled with a sweet treat for your guests.
  
  


• Why give your guests something that is going to sit on a shelf collecting dust? Try to choose favors that they can actually use. Good choices would be lip balm or note pads.
  
  
  


• Make your baby shower favors memorable. There are many inexpensive, cute favors that include personalization.
  
  


• Don't wait until the last minute to choose your favors. Besides planning the theme and choosing food, this is one thing that takes some thought and time. If you are ordering favors online or having them personalized, plan to buy them at least 3 weeks in advance.


• If you are planning this for the mommy-to-be, make sure to take her personality and taste into consideration.


• Don't buy the first favors you see. Shop around to compare favors and find the best price.


• Use several resources to get ideas for favors. Speak with family members and friends for suggestions, look in magazines, craft books, and on the Internet.

Choosing baby showers does not have to be a chore. Using these 7 tips are sure to help you pick the perfect favors for your baby shower.