Traditionally, colors for themes were either pastel pink or blue, and these colors would spill over into the decorations. Today, anything goes. Although some party planners will still stand by the tried-and-true pink and blue, others opt for brighter primary colors like red, yellow and blue. Perhaps the mother-to-be has a favorite color you could use instead. If she loves orange, go for it! Ask friends and family what color the guest of honor prefers.

The perfect decorations are simple, and practical is even better. Try decorating your themes with items that do double-duty as decorations and party favors or gifts. Unopened jars of baby food can be used as balloon anchors, then given to the expectant mom after the shower. You can create a mood with lightly scented candles as decorations, and give them as shower favors before guests go home.

Another idea is to decorate the guest-of-honor chair with a baby gift clothesline. Hang a clothesline up, attaching one end to the chair, and decorate the line with baby blankets, clothes, booties, bibs, hooded towels, and other baby necessities attached by colorful clothes pins. Suggest that guests bring an item for the baby clothesline, too.

The gift display can be part of the decorations. Streamers and other decorations hung from an open umbrella above the gift table look very nice. Set up a baby's bassinet in a corner of the room. From the ceiling above, hang tulle, a reasonably priced fabric available at any fabric store. Let the fabric drape and flow around the bassinet. As the gifts fill it, place the overflow on the ground around the bassinet for a show-stopping centerpiece. If you don't have a bassinet, use a larger gift the mommy-to-be will receive instead. This decoration results in a lovely photo for the baby memory book.

An edible centerpiece can play important part of the decorations. Carve a watermelon into the shape of a baby carriage and use it as the table centerpiece. Placing the watermelon lengthwise, cut one quarter out then scoop out the inside. Carve a zigzag edge around the canopy top. Slice up other types of fruit and re-fill the watermelon. Decorate with ribbon around the edge to make the centerpiece look frilly. Any presentation of food can be part of the shower theme as well as the decorations.

Planning a can be very stressful if you're doing all the work by yourself. Keep your decorations simple, use what you have on hand and don't be afraid to ask for extra help from other guests. If you can, set up the area with the decoration the night before. The more you can complete ahead of time, the better chance you will have of enjoying the event along with everyone else.