How to Decorate for a Baby Shower in a Clubhouse

A clubhouse can provide an excellent venue for a baby shower, because it's likely to have a choice of rooms and ample space for guests. In addition, the non-traditional setting can make this shower stand out from the many other baby showers the guests are likely to have attended. Make sure the shower is remembered for all the right reasons by preparing properly to achieve a fun, relaxed and elegant atmosphere.

Things You'll Need

• Paper lampshades
• Balloons
• Scented candles
• Clothes lines
• Baby clothes, bibs and towels
• Card
• Scissors
• Streamers
• Tape
• 2 tables
• Vase
• Fresh flowers
• Baby rattles

Instructions

1. Select a room in the clubhouse appropriate for the number of guests you expect. Take advantage of any natural light available if you are having the baby shower during daylight hours.

2. Take down any pictures and remove any ornaments not suitable to a baby shower, such as sporting trophies or memorabilia. Store these in a vacant room. Remove any furniture that would seem out of place at the event, such as barstools or poker tables, and place these in the vacant room.

3. Decide on two main colors to make up your color theme: a primary color and one a little lighter. You might choose, for example, a soft pink as your main color, along with white or ivory; or a butter yellow along with white. Introduce other colors into the room sparingly.

4. Replace the lampshades with paper lampshades in the main color of your color scheme. These will bathe the room in color.

5. Tie bunches of balloons at the entrance to the room and at the clubhouse entrance. Tie several bunches of balloons to the guest of honor's chair to distinguish it from the others.

6. Place scented candles around the room. Light these before guests arrive to give the room a pleasant smell.

7. String one or more clotheslines along the walls. Hang on these tiny baby clothes, bibs and towels. In addition, tape to the walls pieces of colored card that you have cut, using scissors, into the shape of baby bottles, diapers, rattles and toys.

8. String streamers across the the room, above head height, and secure them with tape. Alternatively, drape these streamers over any furniture you couldn't remove from the room and wish to disguise.

9. Move a table, or tables, into the center of the room and enough chairs to seat everyone. Place a vase containing fresh flowers in the center of each table. Choose bright flowers that are in season and, if possible, fit your color scheme.

10. Place a tablecloth on the table and set enough places for the number of guests you expect. Use rattles as napkin holders by simply threading the napkins through the rings of the rattles. The mother-to-be can take some or all of these home with her. In addition, place an additional table to the side of the room on which to place gifts that guests bring.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a stepladder to hang streamers and other decorations on walls.

• Give yourself at least four hours to prepare the room properly.

• Make sure any candles are placed where they cannot be knocked over or otherwise pose a fire hazard.

References

• Baby Showers; Jennifer Adams
• The Everything Baby Shower Book: Throw a Memorable Event for Mother-to-Be; Sabrina Hill and Joni Russell
• The Baby Shower Book: Etiquette, Decorations, Games, Food; Pauline Glendenning