When I saw the Lime Tummy Love Baby Shower Invitations, I thought they were the perfect beginning to a Valentine’s Day themed baby shower. The colors are vibrant and the design is flawless. I like the pregnant silhouette against the lime background. For $31.25, 25 of these babies could be mine.

It was created for www.tinyprints.com by Petite Alma. However, beyond a several tiered cake with hearts on it, red and white satin (or something similar) tablecloths, and perhaps little heart shaped candies in glass bowls, I am worried about creating the perfect party without going overboard and ending up with a tacky party everyone will scoff at.

I would ask for advice and creativity from the Upscale Baby friends and readers. What would you do? Based on your location, where would you hold a Valentine’s baby shower? Leave a note; I’d love to hear your ideas.

 
Pick Three: Winter Wonderland Theme
 
Not only can vegans have their cake and eat it too, but they can have a fantastic themed baby shower as well. A Winter Wonderland decorated in icy blues and chilly whites, all topped with sparkle—what could be prettier? Top the tables with white and blue tablecloths, buy sparkly snowflake decorations (easy to find at dollar stores in the Christmas department), get an ice sculpture of a baby, have white chairs, and play snowy games (teams wrap one member in toilet paper and top her with hats and scarves and mom-to-be votes for the best snow man. If baby is known to be a girl, buy only pink accessories for the “snow men.”) Put your gift to the mom-to-be in a white basket and wrap it with snowflake cellophane; tie a blue bow with a snowflake hanging from it. For party favors, why not fill sparkly white bags with chapstick, marshmallows (snow man poop), and pretty scarves? Be sure to have a cake table decorated with sparkles and snow flakes because the piece-de-resistance will be the cupcakes.
 
Etsy store thecupcakemint is dedicated to making yummy cupcakes using only vegan ingredients. To go with the Winter Wonderland theme, the Let It Snow Double Mint Winter Snowflake Fondant Vegan Cupcakes are the perfect finishing touch to a winter themed vegan party. Though 2 cupcakes are $8.50, you could fill in the blanks with plain cupcakes (if there are 16 people coming, buy 8 snowflake cupcakes for the party and use plain cupcakes for the other 8, for example.) Simply gorgeous and made to wow with mint cake and homemade mint fondant, they’ll complete the party.
 
 

Here is my second pick: Why Not a Beach Party?

Beg, borrow, or steal (okay, maybe not that last one) a few beach umbrellas and head the beach party.  Make sure you instruct all your guests to bring a beach blanket, but provide a cooler full of drinks, a lawn chair for the mama-to-be, and appropriate party foods (sandwiches, cookies, popsicles in either blue or pink).

In case the pregnant mama doesn’t feel comfortable lounging in a fold-up chair (I know I didn’t), provide a gorgeous Hawaiian flower print 70 inch Red Velour Towel (or blue, if she’s having a boy) from www.sunfitters.com for $18.95. Grab a few others for everyone else for a really festive look. Pick up very inexpensive necklaces from Sunfitters as well (I spotted some bamboo and glass flower chokers for $2.75) for party favors. You can even set up the presents inside the backs of large toy dump trucks borrowed from friends’ sons’ sandboxes.

Why not fill a beach tote with your presents for the party mommy? You could throw in swim diapers (either cloth or disposable) in the size her baby will be for beach season, baby sunscreen, and a beachy change pad along with whatever else you were planning to give her. It’ll be a bright and colorful party no one will forget.

First Pick on the Top Five List: Dylan’s Candy Bar.

I spotted these delectable (and attractive) treats while perusing In Style Magazine. The Dylan’s Candy Bar Paint Cans are nothing short of perfect for decorations. Not only do they provide munchies for guests, yummy Assorted Sour Belts no less, but they can be given to the mom-to-be after the party and they’re pretty. Mom-to-be can store all kinds of baby items in them; pacifiers diaper pins, barrettes—anything her heart desires. Decorate the hall in a confectionary theme with pastel colors and make a congratulations banner using the shapes on the front of the candy can. Have fun making up games like “Pin the Ice Cream on the Cone” or “Pop the Top on the Sucker.”

Though I love the look of the paint cans (and the usability of them), there’s no need to stop at paint cans either. You can find candies to suit any taste. There are gift baskets that are baby themed for mom-to-be or baskets that will make wonderful door prizes for everyone else, candy themed sleepers for baby, bracelets with “I love candy” on them for shower attendee gifts, and oodles of other mouth-watering options. There’s a Sweet Holiday sale going on right now, so you can save big but look like a big spender.

The Paint Cans are $14.00 and are filled to the brim with apple, strawberry, strawberry-banana and watermelon flavors. You can get them, and plan your next unique and delicious baby shower at DylansCandyBar.com.