How to Make Creative Baby Shower Favors

Just because you are the host of a baby shower, does not mean that you need to spend a ton of money! There are several cheap alternatives to making cute baby shower favors and centerpieces that will impress your guests. Unique baby shower favors will make the baby shower more entertaining and enjoyable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Decorative Paper
• Scissors
• Curling Ribbons
• Plastic Bags
• Woven Baskets
• Decorative Boxes
• Bottles
• Mini Candies
• Candy Peppermints
• Anything you can Imagine

1. 
    
   These make great centerpieces.

   PICK the theme of your baby shower. Many times it is associated with the color for the gender of the baby, but if this is not the case try to pick colors that go well with your theme. Ask the mother to be how she plans to decorate the nursery for an idea of a theme. Then you will need to shop around at your local craft store for items. This eHow will explain how you can make paper favors full of candy. A great place to look for items is at the Dollar Tree. Believe it or not, there selection is getting bigger everyday.

2. 
    
   This is the template to use.

   BUY decorative paper. I bought paper with little yellow ducks on it. You can buy any type of decorated paper. The best place to look for decorative paper is down the scrapbook aisle. I then measured 2 inches on each side of the paper, portrait style, on both sides and cut off the excess. This will be 4.5 x 7.25 if you want an accurate measurement for these favors. Then you are left with a smaller version of the paper. You will want to clip the four corners of the paper evenly on all corners so the corners are angled at about 45 degrees. Then hole punch both ends of the paper.

3. 
    
   You may want to incorporate a diaper cake that matches your favors.

   FILL plastic bags or cellophane with candy, treats, picture frames, and other favors. Some suggestions: Little peppermints, Cry Babies, Baby Ruth's, M&Ms in the color of your theme, any candies that match your colors (I chose all blue candies).

4. SCRUNCH the top of them and tie them with curling ribbon. You will then place them in the middle of the square paper and thread more curling ribbon through so that you pull both ends of the paper together, and the ribbon is attached to the ribbon on the plastic bag. Make sure you use plenty of ribbon so you have plenty of it to curl. This will put the plastic baggie inside the paper treat bag.

5. 
    
   Use Your Imagination!

   SHOP smart. You can also buy undecorated boxes, decorated boxes, or even just use tulle that you can tie together with ribbon. The best idea is to stick with clearance items, and discount stores. Your favors can be used as the centerpieces on the tables by buying baskets to place them into. You can also decorate your table with more than just the favors by adding stuffed animals, bottles full of candy, or various other baby items that the mother to be can take home with her afterward. Purchase floating candles, votive candles, or candle pillars for decorative use as well. The point is to make it feel like a baby environment at the baby shower, and not like a formal adult event.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't stress about the favors, many craft stores are offering more simple and affordable items for baby showers.
• Don't waste your money on candies that are marketed for baby showers, but are high in price. You can substitute these candies, try going into your local candy store.
• Any leftover craft supplies can be used in another craft project down the road.
• Make sure that you leave yourself enough time to make the favors. It may be more work than you realize. Try making a couple every night if you are overwhelmed.

Resources

• Affordable Baby Shower Favors
• Simple and Easy Diaper Cake Centerpiece

[newstime1999]

on 8/20/2009 Good tips.

[momofmop]

on 8/3/2009 Helpful and fun info!