Tips for DIY Showers

Planning a shower around a theme doesn't have to be overwhelming. Just pick one early on – it can be as simple as a color.

Find recipes that you can make or prep ahead of time so you can have fun on the day of the party! Curried Chicken and Grape Salad is a great choice because it tastes better the next day.

Serve foods in shot glasses or votive holders. Try Tomato Basil Soup in shot glasses with triangles of cheese bread across the top, skewered by decorative bamboo toothpicks.

Instead of spending a lot of time and money planning party games, hire a manicurist to paint nails or a professional masseuse to give 10-minute chair massages. Your guests will love it!

They're not just for cookies! Find ones that match your shower theme and cut out shaped sandwiches or make cutout brownies. Even more fun, tie a few together and attach your favorite sugar cookie and icing recipe for quick party favors. Watch video for more ideas.

Try making custom garnishes by drawing with melted chocolate on waxed paper. You can dress up a simple brownie mix with a gorgeous garnish.

Don't be afraid to ask everyone invited (except the guest of honor, of course) to bring an appetizer, main dish or dessert. Most people love sharing a signature dish. Ask them to bring copies of their recipes for a fun recipe swap!

Have large, baked sugar cookies on a table with different sprinkles and icing that match your theme. Let guests decorate some to eat, but also give them decorative boxes to take some home.

Talk to your guest of honor’s husband, mother, sister or brother, and find out something special about her. What's her favorite meal? Serve it! Does she love a special dessert? Ask someone to bring it! A favorite color? Decorate with it! She'll see how much you care.

Try this fun idea if you have a smaller manageable group:

 

• Provide a fabulous recipe and the ingredients to put together a freezer meal.
• Everyone can take one home as a "party favor" (they'll have dinner for that night!). Plus, make three or four extra for the bride or mom-to-be to stock her freezer.
• Make extras, bake them and take to a local women's shelter. Just let them know in advance.