Part of the fun of planning a shower is showing off your creative side with some interesting baby-related décor. Many of the ideas and projects described here have the added benefit of doing double duty as both a centerpiece and a shower gift or table décor and a guest favor.

Centerpieces

The rule of thumb for a centerpiece is that if it will be used on a table where people are seated, it should be low enough to see over. Taller centerpieces can be used as a focal point on food-service tables, counters, or buffet tables.

• Lollipops in pots. Use giant lollipops stuck into terracotta pots in place of flowers as centerpieces. Pots should be large enough to balance the lollipop; usually, about 3-inch to 4-inch pots will work. Start by filling a pot with Oasis Floral Foam (dried-arrangement type), available from floral suppliers, then push a lollipop stick into the middle to create the “flower.” Cover the Oasis with paper shred, bubble gum, jelly beans, lemon drops, or other individually wrapped candies. Finish arrangement by tying a ribbon around the lollipop stick.

  The pots can be painted in a coordinating color or be decorated with dots, stripes, checks, or other patterns. Intersperse mini terracotta pots filled with candy around the table for added punch. Variation: Use Tootsie Roll Pops or other smaller lollipops and 1½-inch to 2-inch pots to make mini pots that can serve as place-card holders and favors. Put one at each place setting.

Fact

The local toy store is a great resource when it comes to decorating for a baby shower. A castle for a princess shower, a jack-in-the-box or two for a Jack Jr.-to-be, giant Legos, an oversized Raggedy Ann and Andy for twins, even a doll house will be the talk of the table.

• Baby bottles. Empty baby bottles make great centerpieces and table décor. For a centerpiece, fill eight to ten mini baby bottles with pink, blue, or theme-inspired-color jelly beans, then blanket the table with them.

• Pinwheels. Pinwheels in assorted sizes are easy to make, easy to coordinate with your theme, and look festive and fun. Use our pattern to make your own with specialty paper from a scrap-booking or invitation store. When made in multiple sizes they can replace flowers. At outdoor parties, stick them in the ground around the yard like kinetic sculptures twirling merrily in the breeze. You can also buy them online or at your local toy store. (Note: You can substitute pinwheels for the lollipops in terracotta pots described above or pop into paint cans decorated in next project.)

• Paint cans. Available at paint supply and hardware stores, paint cans come in two sizes—quarts and gallons—and make a great container for everything from flowers to popcorn. Untouched, the silver finish has an industrial chic persona, but they can also be covered with wrapping paper or a custom label created on the computer or by hand. They are inexpensive, usually less than $2 apiece, and provide an easy way to bring your theme to the table. See a custom template guide for decorating the cans.

• Baby-sock flowers. Twisted and rolled from tiny baby socks, these “flowers” require minimal skills to make, but they have a big impact as well as a practical use—they can be taken apart so that the socks can be worn by baby. Rosettes can also be made from layette items, which make a fabulous bouquet for mom, centerpiece, and gift for baby. Roses can be made at-home or, for the craft-challenged, purchased online.

• Diaper cake or cupcakes. The tiered tower of diapers is wrapped in ribbon and frosted with baby products like shampoo, lotion, pacifiers, bottles, and socks—and a stuffed animal or crib toy on top is a baby shower standard. Cloth or disposable diapers can be used, depending on the new parents’ preference. Cakes can be created with one to five tiers, so they can become a substantial and useful centerpiece.

Napkin Rings

When you accessorize a table, the napkin ring acts as party jewelry. Experiment with different colors, textures, and materials and go a little crazy.

• Pipe cleaners. Alone or in a group, these versatile little wonders can be twisted into a variety of curls and wiggles to create a festive look.

• Ribbons. Giant satin bows, simple grosgrain knots, or exotic wired, multi-layered bows can be tied around a plain napkin for lots of impact. Raffia-wrapped linen napkins give the table an air of sophistication.

• Pacifiers and rattles. Slip the napkin in the ring or tie it to the napkin with ribbon or pipe cleaners. Pacifiers and rattles come in a variety of colors and can be collected and sanitized for the mommy-to-be to take home.

• Licorice laces, candy button tape, and candy bracelets. Tie around brightly colored cloth or paper napkins for edible, playful, and kid-inspired tableware.