Tips for DIY Showers from Pillsbury.com

1. Lock Down a Theme

Hosting a shower is all about wrapping it in a theme! It doesn't have to be overwhelming. Just pick one early on...it can be as simple as a color.

2. Rely on Make-Ahead Foods

Don't make all the food the same day. You want to have fun, too! Find recipes that you can make or prep ahead of time. One of my favorites...Curried Chicken and Grape Salad is perfect because it tastes better the next day!

3. Add Surprises

Here's one...serve foods in shot glasses or votive holders for instant whimsy and fancy! I serve Tomato Basil Soup in shot glasses and place triangles of cheese bread across the top, skewered by decorative bamboo toothpicks.

4. Scrap the Games, Bring on the Masseuse

Instead of spending a lot of time and money planning party games (does anyone like to play them anyway?), hire a manicurist to paint nails or a professional masseuse to give 10-minute chair massages. Your guests will love it!

5. Get Out the Cookie Cutters

They're not just for cookies! Find ones that match your shower theme and cut out shaped sandwiches (easy and cute!), make cutout brownies or tie a few together and attach your favorite sugar cookie and icing recipe for quick party favors.

6. Add a Personal Touch

One of my favorites is making custom-made garnishes by drawing with melted chocolate on wax paper. You can dress up a simple brownie mix by adding a gorgeous garnish.

7. Share Cooking Duties

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

8. Edible Party Favors

Let guests make their own edible party favors! Have large, baked sugar cookies on a table with assorted sprinkles and icing that match your theme. Let guests decorate some to eat and provide decorative boxes to take some home.

9. Go All Out for the Guest of Honor

Find out something special about the person you're throwing the shower for. Talk to her husband, mother, sister or brother. What's her favorite meal? Serve it! Does she crave a special dessert? Ask someone to bring it! A favorite color? Decorate with it! She'll see how much you care.

10. Friends Who Cook Together...

...stay together! 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 3 or 4 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.