When you hear the phrase "baby shower", do visions of plastic rattles, knitted pastel booties and cartoon teddy bears instantly come to mind? These types of elements seem to be the norm in ready-made baby shower decorations, but in reality there's no reason a baby shower can't be just as stylish and cool as any other type of soirée! After all, the shower is actually a party for mom-to-be, so the best plan is to pick any type of party theme and color palette that you know she will love, then integrate baby-oriented elements into the decór to make the theme approriate for the occassion. Here are 3 of my favorite ideas for stylish baby shower celebrations...

BLING BABY

In the "Bling Baby" theme pictured above, the overall idea for the theme was based on elements that we knew mom-to-be would appreciate based on her sense of style:

1. stylish, contemporary patterns
2. bright colors (incorporating both pink and blue tones since mom and dad were waiting to find out baby's gender)
3. lots of "bling"! (rhinestones, shimmery papers, etc.)

After deciding on these main elements of the party, we turned the theme to a baby shower by incorporating pacifiers, rhinestone stickers shaped like baby rattles, and glittered chipboard letters and baby-themed stickers into the party decór. Click here for more details.

BEDTIME STORY

This is a fun, "think-outside-the-box" theme that features standard banquet-style tables made up to look like beds! Use patterned sheets, duvets or tablecloths (in any color scheme or style that you like) to act as the "bedspread", then top everything off with a pillow, stuffed animal, story book and your place settings. No need to worry about getting crumbs in bed at this party!

MODERN RUBBER DUCKY

Rubber duckies area long-time childhood favorite, and it's not unusual for these adorable little bath-time buddies to make an appearance at baby showers. To keep a rubber ducky theme from feeling too juvenile for your party guests, make sure to feature the toy ducks in a stylish, modern-day setting that "kids" of any age can appreciate!

Use styrofoam and "floating glass" balls inside of fishbowl vases to create contemporary-looking "bubble bath" centerpieces for your table, and keep the colors bright and fun with various shades of aqua blue and sunny yellow. For party decór, set out stacks of fluffy towels, hang pint-sized terry-cloth robes, and display baby bath-time products and rubber duckies in little groups throughout the party. As an added bonus - many of your "decorations" will double as gifts for mom-to-be once the shower is over!

Have you been to a super stylish baby shower recently or do you have a great idea for a hip and contemporary baby shower theme? Share it with us!