So many recipes, so little time! Part of the fun of hosting is to spread your culinary wings and fly, but when the demands of real life — the juggling of kids, carpools, and work deadlines encroach — you can grab this section and head straight to the grocery store. The following recipes may inspire you to try something new, or allow you to substitute a family favorite for one of the dishes suggested. All the dishes have been prepared and served to real families who rated, reviewed, and applauded them. Be brave — have a trial run on your own family circle, then serve away.

The recipes that follow have been selected because they are: great tasting; easy to prepare; serve a crowd; can be prepared one to two days in advance (in most cases); can be adapted to suit your own taste and style; and can be adapted to different serving methods. All things necessary when throwing a shower!

Celebrity-Style Baby Showers: Under Construction

• Fourth of July–Ade (nonalcoholic)
• Get Your Snack Mixer On
• Sirloin, Round, and Chuck Burger
• Bright Chili Beans
• German Potato Salad
• Brownie Bar with Candy-Bar Toppings

Celebrity-Style Baby Showers: The Princess Wears Prada

These recipes were designed to be served in barwear — from appetizers in shot glasses to a main course in margarita glasses to dessert in demitasse cups. It's small bites but big flavor.

• Rose Lemonade with Rose Petals
• Minted Pea Soup
• Carrot and Parsnip with Ginger
• Chilled Tomato Soup with Guacamole
• Garden-Pea Couscous Salad with Roasted Chicken Breast
• Parmesan Crisps
• Coffee-Almond Float in Espresso Cups
• Chocolate Shortbread

Celebrity-Style Baby Showers: Roll Out the Red Carpet

• Eggplant Caviar
• Herb-Crusted Salmon
• Stuffed Filet Mignon
• Classic Asparagus with Lemon and Olive Oil
• Yukon Gold Potatoes with Oregano
• Grilled Pears with Claret Sauce
• Chocolate Butter-Rum Truffles
• Espresso Truffles

Girlfriends Go Wild Shower: Playing Footsie, Tootsie!

• Strawberry Lemonade
• Salad Bar

Girlfriends Go Wild Shower: Cute as a Button

• Pink Ladies'-Ade
• Smoked Turkey Salad

Girlfriends Go Wild Shower: Everything Night-Night

• Mexican Hot Chocolate
• Cookie-Cutter French Toast
• Crustless Quiche Lorraine

Zen Tea Shower: Tranquili-Tea

• Miso-Soup Shots
• Cilantro Chicken Dumplings
• Shrimp and Green-Onion Dumplings
• Spring Rolls
• Fried Bowties

Zen Tea Shower: Belly Bump

• Chai Tea Mix
• Saffron Lemonade
• Warm Spice Mix
• Ginger-Garlic Paste
• Malabari Coconut Rice
• Dry-Spiced Carrots and Peas
• Pomegranate Chaat

A Grandparents' Shower

• Stonepine Iced Tea
• Grandma's Beef Stew
• Caesar Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Estelle's Cream-Cheese Pound Cake
• Raspberry Coulis

Broadway Baby Shower

• Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue
• Chocolate Fondue
• Helen's Dulce de Leche Fondue

Jack and Jill Showers for Couples: Diapers Wild!

• Italian Sub Sandwiches
• Potato Salad with Egg
• Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Jack and Jill Showers for Couples: Lucky Strike!

• Gutter-Ball Subs
• Kingpin Coleslaw
• Hot Fudge Sauce
• Butterscotch Sauce

Jack and Jill Showers for Couples: LaMaze–LeMans Car-Seat Rally

• Trail Mix

Being Neighborly Showers: The Red Wagon Progressive Dinner

• Limeade
• Blue Corn Chips and Chunky Guacamole
• Shrimp Crab Dip
• Hummus
• Hot and Sweet Italian Sausage
• Spicy-Tart Apple Sauce
• “Baby” Red Potatoes
• Greek Salad
• Strawberry Shortcake

Showers for Dads: Extreme Nursery Makeover

• Classic Reuben Sandwich
• Macaroni Salad
• Cake-Mix Cookies

Showers for Dads: Tailgate Shower

• Baby-Back Barbeque Short Ribs
• Spicy Barbeque Sauce
• Chuck-Wagon Kidney Beans
• Beefsteak Tomatoes and Onions with Italian-Dressing Marinade
• Chuck-Wagon Cornbread
• Cheesecake

e-Showers: The Desktop Shower: Coffee-Break Contractions

• Fresh Scones
• Biscotti
• Coffee Cake
• Chocolate Yummies

e-Showers: The “Lap-Top” Shower Visit

• Tortilla Lasagna
• Chicken with Rice
• Quickie Pasta Bake
• Oven-Fried Chicken Nuggets
• Real Macaroni and Cheese
• Black-Bottom Cupcakes