Yes, I am expecting my first in June and friends and I are beginning the shower talk. These links will come in handy.

We just threw a baby shower yesterday and I have to say it was my favorite baby shower ever.

First, we're all in our mid to late 30s - so we're pretty much OVER the showers. Second, the mom in this case is having her second girl so she insisted on no gifts as she has everything she needs and can afford everything else. She just wanted some time with her girlfriends.

As hostesses, we knew we didn't want to subject anyone to playing those hokey, silly games (the melted candy bars in diapers is the WORST!! Followed closely by 'guess how big the tummy is' - groan!) but we knew we needed an activity (since there wouldn't even be gift opening for entertainment)

So we asked everyone to arrive with their creative juices flowing... we supplied the paper, crafts and supplies and had everyone create a scrapbook page for the momma. Now she has a beautiful, creative scrapbook - loved on by all of her friends - and all she has to do is stick photos in the appropriate pages as baby goes through her first year.

We thought about having a jar with some theme ideas, like Bathtime, Summer Fun, Me and my Big Sister, My first Christmas, My Grandparents... and such - for the ladies who might be stumped for ideas to pull out for inspiration.

Or that could be effective to fill the whole book and keep it sort of organized. Turns out, our guests were pretty creative on their own - and the book is beautiful!!

We had plenty of time to visit and love on our momma friend - and to chat with one another - and we certainly learned a little bit about everyone there, in the activity process.

I've never really enjoyed the traditional baby shower (the opening of the gifts is so cringeworthy), so when my girlfriend wanted to throw me one, we made it co-ed. Really just an excuse to have a party with our friends...

The games were the highlight. We had pregnant twister, where we taped on big balloon bellies to all the participants, and adult diapering competitions. Each "mom" had to pin a diaper to her adult baby, and then the baby had to crawl across the floor with a (wrapped) Baby Ruth in the diaper (for quality control purposes). I fashioned bonnets for each of the babies, which made for great pictures.

There was also a ring toss on an 2' inflatable phallis, but that game was less baby themed and was only included because we had the inflatable appendage around.

We gave out starbucks gift cards to the winning team.

Baby registering is a daunting task with so many options. We just had giggle's Ali Wing on tada! shop and she put together a short list of registering tips and her ultimate registry. Thought for those moms-to-be this would be helpful!
http://www.tadashop.com/picks/ali-wing-giggle/4c86471369d8ac66b3000018