Decorating a baby room is a wonderful opportunity to create a carefree hideaway – a place of slumber and lullabies.

Baby Room Themes…
From Tropical Jungle to Noah’s Ark, Teddy Bears to Winnie the Pooh: There are many delightful baby room themes to choose from – any one will spark enthusiasm and generate exciting nursery decorating ideas.

But decorating the baby room can be daunting: There’s so much choice – nursery bedding sets, furnishings, nursery wall décor and accessories of all kinds! Also young children can soon outgrow even the most enchanting baby room themes.

Nursery Decor…
Co-ordinated nursery bedding sets and matching accessories can make easy work of decorating a baby room, ensuring nursery décor is effective and harmonious.

But mixing and matching presents the opportunity for more imaginative nursery decorating ideas – and it’s fun! The key to success with ‘mix and match’ nursery décor is to select elements – baby nursery pictures, fabrics and accessories – that share color and pattern elements.

Basing nursery décor on neutral wall and floor coverings enables endless variations: Keeping baby room decorating ideas flexible makes it easy to adapt to a young child’s developing interests.

By changing just the accessories – nursery bedding sets, pictures and rugs – different nursery decorating ideas can be developed without all the upheaval of a major redecorating project. For a while, at least, baby room themes can grow with your child!

Color Schemes…
Young children love bright primary colors but large areas can be overwhelming. Decorating the baby room with a subtle, calm color scheme is usually a better choice. Introducing warm colors – rose, peach or primrose – into your baby room decorating ideas will help create a feeling of coziness.

While decorating the baby room with the cool colors – aqua, mint or sky blue – can create a feeling of spaciousness. But it is probably best to keep ideas based on this color range for a room with a warm, sunny aspect.

Touches of bright primary colors bring extra interest and visual stimulation. Introducing just small amounts with baby nursery pictures, nursery bedding sets, toys and accessories can transform a room. These are the finishing touches that can bring nursery décor alive!

Nursery Wall Decor…
From a series of framed art prints to big cheerful posters, a collage of birthday cards to giant stick-ups – nursery wall décor can create an interesting focus and highlight of color.

A special picture may provide inspiration for some great baby nursery ideas and the basis for a subtle color scheme.

Pictures can be used to develop baby room themes, giving them added dimension: Baby nursery pictures of animals can extend a Tropical Jungle theme – Paddington Bear pictures a Teddy Bear theme.

Look for baby nursery pictures that you find inspiring – they can be a valuable source for interesting nursery decorating ideas. But, best of all, good nursery wall décor will help to create a special place that excites whimsical fantasy and imaginative storytelling – the essence of a magical childhood!

About The Author
Writer and designer of elementary educational materials with particular interest in art education. Webmaster of www.NurseryPosters.com. suzanne@takingwing.co.uk

Since it’s not my specialty, I brought in the experts for some advice. I asked a group of scrapbookers what they do when they’re faced with another birthday layout and got some fantastic tips that I’d like to share with you!

Birthday Themes
A birthday theme can help direct your scrapbook page. For instance, a Barbie birthday party would naturally lend itself to a Barbie scrapbook page! Here are a couple of tips and ideas from different scrapbookers on themed parties and layouts.

Have theme parties! That gives you something to work with other than the traditional cake, presents, and candles kind of layout. —Gayla Feachen

For Brandon’s first birthday we did a Time Capsule. I sent a note with the b-day invitation asking everyone to bring something to put in the capsule—it could be a photo of their family or a news article or a newspaper etc. I asked the grandparents and great grandparents to write Brandon a letter and seal the envelope. We will give him this when he turns 21. — Martha Crowther

Must Have Birthday Photos
Sometimes simply taking some strategic photos can make creating a birthday layout fun and easy! Below are some fantastic ideas for must-have birthday photographs.

I usually take a photograph of the cake from overhead. I often silhouette it and use it as an accent/embellishment on the page…especially on the topper or in a journaling block. — Laura Linda Rudy

Take a photos of the cake (candles lit) turned towards the camera, so you can read or see the decorations. — Linda Porter Jones

Take one of the birthday boy/girl blowing out the candles (at our house, this is done with all the lights off, so I’ve gotten a few really cool photos, just the candles and flash) — Linda Porter Jones

Opening gifts. Try to get photo of birthday person, with gift and person that GAVE the gift. — Linda Porter Jones

A “group” shot…birthday person with ALL their gifts around them. (or on table) — Linda Porter Jones

Birthday person getting their birthday ‘spanks’. We started doing this tradition this year…Have a photo of Mike bent over Dad’s knee, getting spanked!! Too funny! — Linda Porter Jones

We usually have a balloon bouquet, and I try to get a close-up of just the balloons. — Linda Porter Jones

For little kids’ birthdays, take a photo of them holding up how many fingers old they are. — Linda Porter Jones

A special birthday photo that I always try to get is of us measuring Matt’s height. He tracks his height on a wall in the garage. And, yes, I took one of these photos on his 20th birthday! — Jill Winholt

One of the things I make sure I do now after many years of birthday parties is get a good group shot of all the guests. I would have pictures of them as they were involved in the party but it always seemed like someone got left out. Now I have a record of everyone there in ONE picture. I also get a picture of my child with all their gifts arranged around them after the party so they can remember when they got certain items. I do this after opening presents on Christmas morning also. — Alaine, www.scrappingbyalaine.com

Take a photo of the birthday boy/girl’s face being illuminated by candlelight. — Briana Fisher

Take a photo of the birthday boy/girl’s face puffed up blowing out the candles. — Briana Fisher

Capture the reaction of someone that is touched by a gift you gave (perhaps Grandma crying at a special gift you made) or your kids throwing their hands up in joy for something they received. — Briana Fisher

Take photos of the guests playing games (like pin the tail on the donkey) — get a photo of someone trying to put the tail on the donkey (and got it wayyyy over, not even close to the picture!) — Briana Fisher

If you make your own birthday cake, get a picture of you (or your child) making it or decorating it. — Briana Fisher

Make sure YOU get in the photos! Have a picture taken with the birthday person. If it’s your birthday, then give your camera to someone else for the evening! You need to be in your scrapbook pages too! — Briana Fisher

Every year, get your child to stand in a certain place, say next to a tree in your garden, and photograph them. Not only will you see how much your child grows but you’ll see how your garden and/or the tree has grown with them. — Lynn McCorry

Journaling and Layout Ideas
What really makes scrapbook layouts meaningful is the journaling. Birthdays are a fantastic opportunity to reflect on how a person has changed or grown in the past year. Below are some great tips from scrapbookers for different information that would be interesting to include in a birthday layout.

Ask the child questions every birthday about their favorite color, song, hobby, etc. and use the same questions every year. — Martha Crowther

What I love to do for some variety with kid birthdays is to do an interview page. I just use fun shots of them, not necessarily birthday party pictures. I ask them some of their likes, dislikes, what they want to be when they grow up, and if they had three wishes what they would wish for. It’s really fun to see how the answers change through the years! — Heather Uppencamp

Do a page detailing specific things about the month they were born (that month’s flower, zodiac, and/or birthstone) and how you resemble those traits. — Briana Fisher

Journal about (20) reasons why you are glad to be you…and the (20) can be your age… — Briana Fisher

If your family has a tradition you do for birthdays then journal that so the tradition can be carried on and include a photo or photos of the tradition. — Briana Fisher

Do you have a special song that you sing at birthdays? My family is Polish and sings a song that means, ‘May you live to be 100 years’ in which my grandma has taught everyone in the family. Journal special songs that you may sing (even the silly ones your kids always sing!) — Briana Fisher

Make a checklist of things that happened for your journaling and number them (ie. Invited friends, lit the cake, sang the birthday song, blew out the candles, gifts!). Then number your photos to match your checklist. Use paperclips or circular clips to attach the numbers to the photos. — Briana Fisher

Make a timeline and use photos from different birthdays and journal the age you were for each. This will help take some miscellaneous photos and use them in a unified way. — Briana Fisher

At the party, have your guests sign their names on a scrapbook page. Use the guest list as a part of your birthday layout. — Briana Fisher

Journal a list of the presents they asked for (and received). You’ll see how much the things they want change over the years. — Lynn McCorry

Include actual memorabilia or scans of things like party hats etc. in your birthday layouts. — Lynn McCorry

Products
All sorts of birthday themed scrapbook products are available in scrapbook stores.

Use a theme from pre-made products centered around birthdays. That makes creating a birthday layout easy! — Jill Winholt

Use die cuts and get the guests in on the action. Have each person at the party write their good wish (one word) on the candle die cuts. These then make up the border for the page. Words like happiness, love, health, fun, zest, chocolates, humor and wonder and the person’s signature are on a candle. You can also put them all on a cake paper piecing. Very fun idea and I hope to use it some time myself. — Rockester

Jolee’s by You has a lot of birthday embellishments that are fun to use, including a HAPPY BIRTHDAY string banner, wire balloons and more. Some are in primary colors, others are in silver and gold to use in adult birthday pages!! — Briana Fisher

Pebbles, Inc. recently released a whole line of die cuts with a birthday theme!

About the Author
Andrea Steed is the author and creator of Scrap Tutor, a web site and CD-ROM that teaches you how to create scrapbooks and how to perform many popular techniques used in scrapbooking. For more information, visit www.scraptutor.com.

Choosing A Theme
How do you go about choosing a theme for your baby’s birthday? Even a one year old probably has something he enjoys whether that is a toy, a TV show, balloons or some other inanimate object. Pick one of your baby’s favorite things and create a birthday around that theme. Your baby probably won’t understand it at the time, but it is a great way to look back in 18 years and see what your baby was “into” at that particular age. Themes vary widely, but some might include:

• Sesame Street
• Elmo
• Balloons
• Clowns
• Animals (dogs, cats, etc.)
• Barbie
• Disney
• Princess
• Trucks
• Cars
• Movie theme

Decorating
Picking one theme and using it for decorating makes decorating very easy. You can normally find all your party decorations together making it simple to buy plates, napkins and cups of the same theme at the same time. Whether or not your theme is “balloons”, your baby probably loves them and sometimes you can find balloons that can be blown up in your theme as part of your decorations. You may be able to find inexpensive pictures or posters in your theme to hang on walls, or buy them at a party store. You can hang streamers from your ceiling in colors that coordinate with your theme, and if it is age appropriate for your child, a piñata would be fun!

Don’t Over Do It
While a birthday party is fun, and picking a theme is a great idea, you want to make sure you do not over do it and overwhelm your baby. While one years olds can easily be over stimulated, three year olds can often be as well. Too much excitement, cake, candy and punch for a three year old can bring on a total meltdown making it hard for you to get your baby to calm down and rest. Watch for cues from your child to when they have had enough. If you are putting up decorations and it seems to be too much, pull some down. You can stick to a theme with a few decorations and still make it a great party!

1. A bit of advice – Contributed by: Phyllis C.
   Have ink pens and index cards near the exit of the party. Ask each person to write down some thoughts or advice for the mom-to-be!
2. Comforter Creation – Contributed by: Talina J.
   Purchase a light, solid color comforter and get a laundry marker. Have everyone that attends the shower sign the blanket! It’s a great keepsake and looks so cute in the baby’s room hanging on the wall.
3. Educational Party – Contributed by: Rhiana W.
   Ask everyone to bring a book to start a library for the baby, or an educational toy.
4. Helium Balloon Party – Contributed by: Jennifer
   Each guest is asked to bring a helium balloon to the party. During the party a note is attached to the balloon with the mom-to-be’s post office box address and a request for a letter from the person that finds the balloon. At the end of the party, the balloons are set loose. The letters received by the mom-to-be can be saved in the baby book.
5. Party Favors – Contributed by: Beverly B. of Oklahoma
   Purchase about 1/2 yard of flannel suitable for a baby in either a pink or blue pattern. Cut squares approximately 4 inches square. Fold in half diagonally to form a triangle and then form a tiny 3 cornered “diaper” and then pin it with a little pin. Spray with spray starch and allow to dry. Inside each little diaper, insert a paper mini baking and party cup (made by Wilton and found at craft stores and discount stores). These can then be used to hold nuts and/or mints, such as after dinner mints in the pastel colors and given to each guest at the shower.
6. Thank You Notes – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Hand out envelopes (the ones for the thank you notes) and ask each person to fill in their name and address. They can get a small gift or prize for doing so if you choose, bit it certainly helps the mother to be.
7. What’s My Name? - Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Have everyone write down their favorite baby names on a piece of paper. This gives mom and dad a nice list to think about, and you can give a gift to the person who’s name they choose!

Do you have a baby shower game or idea you’d like to list here?
Please let us know!

I remember attending and hosting several baby shower parties long before the Internet. Our resources were either what we created, (baby diapers made from napkins, dipped in paraffin wax as our favor containers) or a few baby shower products available at our local party store. Although the basic concept of the baby shower party remains the same, i.e. games, favors, gifts, etc., there are so many new products available today, and all within a few clicks of a button via the Internet.

Here are some wonderful products for baby showers you may have not have even known existed:

Special Little Baby Shower Extras
Keepsake Registries: A convenient little booklet that includes several places to write each guest’s name and the gift(s) they gave. Not only is this a great keepsake, but also makes filling out thank you cards a breeze.

Advice Books: Advice Books are a wonderful keepsake mom-to-be will cherish forever. Pass around a Baby Advice Book to all of your guests. Ask them to write a piece of advice they would like to pass onto the new parents.

Scrapbook Kits: It’s all the rage! Scrapbook kits are available (usually matching your baby shower theme) and are a great way to preserve this special day. By adding photos, scraps of gift-wrap, ribbon, a copy of the invitation and advice cards to name just a few, it’s a wonderful way to personalize and preserve this special day for a memorable keepsake.

Baby Shower Tiaras: Queen For A Day! Make their day extra special with a Baby Shower Tiaras. Baby Shower Tiaras are a fun way to celebrate this very special day, and make wonderful keepsakes for mommy-to-be, grandma-to-be and Aunt-to-be. A novelty gift they are sure to treasure. Baby Shower Tiaras are a great way to capture those special baby shower photographs and video moments.

Baby Shower Themes
Today, choosing a baby shower theme is a breeze even for the first time baby shower hostess. Not only are the plates, cups and napkins available in a matching baby shower theme, many companies offer favor bags, balloons, banners, game books, yard signs, serving platters and more in the same matching theme. Manufacturers now also offer fresh new baby shower designs for the hippest new moms. No longer do you have to settle for baby booties or storks, and many are ideal for the Baby Shower Office Party. See Mod Mom Baby Shower Theme for the perfect example.

Baby Shower Balloons
Did you know there are literally hundreds of baby shower balloons available today? Balloons offer a lot of bang for your buck. There are baby rattle shaped balloons, pacifiers, crawling babies, and even a walking Stork that measures 66″ high, to name just a few. Balloons also make wonderful centerpieces for your party tables. By combining one or two shaped balloons to a few matching solid balloons, and adding some curling ribbon, you have created your own one-of-a-kind baby shower centerpiece.

Balloons Weights: are a cute and clever way of holding down and displaying your balloon centerpiece creations, and are available from plush teddy bears, and ducks to musical balloon weights.

About the Author:
Sherry Smith is the creator of www.showerherbaby.com A website specializing in, and offering a complete selection of baby shower party supplies. All of the products mentioned above can be found at www.showerherbaby.com. See our Free Worksheets for some helpful baby shower party planning tips and advice.

When it comes to baby shower decorating ideas, the usual quandary most hostesses find themselves in is finding cute baby shower decorations that don’t cost a lot of money. You don’t want cheap-looking decorations, but on the other hand, you don’t want to have to pay an arm & a leg just to have nice-looking decorations.

Here is the #1 rule to follow when decorating for a baby shower: Simplicity Rules! Baby shower decorations are not the reason people come to a baby shower. Decorations are accents that enhance the theme and feel of the party. So, a few tastefully chosen baby shower decorations will give your party the perfect touch – not too much, not too little. The secret lies with choosing classy yet inexpensive baby shower decorating ideas.

Use these 3 baby shower decorating ideas to give your party a beautiful atmosphere, yet without spending a lot of money:

1. Use Flowers. When people see flowers, they see life, color, beauty and hope. Those qualities are exactly what we see in a baby as well. So flowers are the perfect decoration to complement a baby shower. You can match pink or blue flowers to the gender of the baby (or yellow for the “to be determined” baby). If you have a specific theme, like Winnie the Pooh for example, you could have red and orange flowers to match the Pooh theme.

Now, it is easy to spend $40 or more on a bouquet of flowers. But remember our rule: Simplicity! A simple, pretty bouquet of flowers in a vase would be perfect. You can buy a bouquet of flowers at most grocery stores starting at $6. A vase is another dollar or two. And voila! You have a fresh, vibrant feel for your baby shower! Beautiful AND inexpensive, the best of both worlds.

2. Display photos of the mom-to-be, dad-to-be, family and friends. People love to look at pictures. We all do! We all love to look at pictures of people, what they’re doing, what they’re wearing, where they’re at, & who they’re with. Pictures are fun, personal, and interesting. So, displaying a few pictures of the mom, dad, and their family & friends at the baby shower is a perfect decoration to give your party some personality and flavor. Pictures really personalize a baby shower and let everyone get to know the expectant mother a little better. They are also a fun ice-breaker and get everyone talking & laughing.

Another great thing about photos is: they cost almost nothing, so they make for an inexpensive baby shower decorating idea! Just ask the expectant mother for a few photos of herself, her husband, any pregnancy pictures she likes of herself, photos of her friends & family, plus any baby pictures she has of herself or her husband. Display them in a little photo album or better yet, mount the photos on several sheets of scrapbook paper and decorate the pages with stickers, die cuts, ribbons, quotes, poems, & other baby related embellishments. Either set the pages on easels (they cost about $1 at a craft store) or lay them flat on the gift table. They will be a big hit! Pictures never fail to add a fun & personal touch to a baby shower.

3. Buy Some Balloons. “But balloons are so common,” some may say. Yes, but balloons are the universal symbol for a party! Balloons could never be out-of-place or in-bad-taste at a baby shower. Plus they are inexpensive! A balloon bouquet starts at around $5 at most party stores. You could go with baby blue, light pink, yellow, or any other color that matches your theme. Tie the balloons to the gift table, the expectant mother’s chair, or scatter them throughout the party room. They look festive and remind your guests that this is a celebration!

Remember Simplicity. When it comes to baby shower decorating ideas, keeping it simple is key. Do not equate simple with cheap, poor quality, cheesy or tacky. Rather, these 3 simple, classy baby shower decorating ideas will add a simple & sweet feel to the baby shower that will give your party a fun, intimate, and memorable mood. AND you won’t have to break the bank to do it!

About the Author:
Find more of Ann’s baby shower articles and resources at http://www.plan-the-perfect-baby-shower.com.

You’re so excited
Here’s a first birthday party idea that will preserve your child’s party, an important event in the life of your child and your family.

This is a special time to celebrate, remember, and look back at how much your baby has grown and learned in just one year.

Unlike other birthdays
Your child’s 1st birthday party is more for you, your family and friends. At only one year of age, your baby doesn’t understand all the fuss and excitement and why there are so many people in your home.

First Birthday Party Idea – You’re making memories
Even though your child is too young to appreciate their first birthday right now, you need to make sure that years from now when your child is old enough, they’ll be able to enjoy all the fun activities, gifts, food, family and friends that helped celebrate their very first birthday.

Here’s how
Pictures, a scrapbook and video or a DVD.

Take lots and lots of pictures and shoot lots of video. You can take too few pictures, but you can’t take too many pictures of your child’s first birthday party.

Set a goal
You want to document the entire celebration. Later on you can choose the best pictures to include in your scrapbook and DVD.

Treasured Keepsakes
Here’s a fun project that’s sure to become a treasured keepsake. Put together a special scrapbook about your child’s first birthday.

Include your pictures in chronological order, save a party napkin (especially if it’s a theme napkin), save an invitation and anything else that will help make your scrapbook special.

And if you shoot video or take digital pictures, either you or someone else can put together a precious DVD so that future generations to come will be able to see what everyone looked like “way back when.”

Your DVD can include shots of your baby’s room, special toys, stuffed animals and crib. And you can use a special song in your video.

Put your party together
Schedule your party at a time that works best with your baby’s schedule. You don’t want them to be fussy or cranky because they didn’t have their nap.

The party should only last a couple of hours because all the excitement will begin making your child tired and that can lead to being cranky and spoiling the party.

And remember that your young guests have a very short attention span too. So keep your games and activities short and simple.

Make your invitations interesting an fun
Your invitation should be fun, interesting and precious. Remember, you want everyone to know you’re going to be celebrating a very special event in your family’s life.

Use a phrase like “look who’s turning one year old” and include their newborn picture.

Just for fun
Make the newborn picture into a 3 or 4 piece puzzle. Or give then only one small piece of the puzzle and ask everyone to being their puzzle piece so the puzzle can be put together as a party activity.

Make sure to copy all the pieces in case someone doesn’t show up.

Decorate your home with a party theme
Do you have a theme for your baby’s room? That can be your party theme. Or you can use fun themes like Noah’s Ark, Sesame Street, Pooh or Over the Rainbow just to name a few.

Online party stores carry lots of wonderful first birthday party supplies for just about any theme you can imagine. To learn more just click on the link below this article.

The games you can play
Play games so the adults can assist the little ones.

Stack soft blocks, roll a ball, read a very short story, sing songs, do “baby art work” using crayons an paper.

Remember when
Put together a scrapbook of pictures and memories from the birth of your child, bringing baby home for the first time, baby’s first bath and all the special times through out their first year.

This gives everyone an opportunity to see the wonderful progress your child has made during their very first year.

Food and other goodies
You may want to have snacks available for the grown-ups and of course you’ll want to have a special cake.

First birthday cakes
You’ll have lots of fun putting together your little one’s birthday cake. You can put together a special cake that fits perfectly with your party theme. You’ll find theme candles and oh-so-cute cake decorations that will turn your cake into a masterpiece.

It’s going to be so much fun!

Yes, with this first birthday party idea, your child’s party is going to be a very special event, one you want to capture with lots of pictures and video that will be remembered and enjoyed for years to come.

And when your baby gets to be old enough, they’ll really enjoy seeing their first birthday party too.

Have fun.

About The Author
Mike Dougherty “Grandpa Mike” has lots of experience putting together successful birthday parties for his children and grandchildren. For more information visit http://fun-kid-birthday-parties.com/first-birthday-party-ideas.html.