Focusing everything from invitations to party favors and the centerpiece upon a theme makes giving a memorable baby shower almost effortless. Baby shower décor is simplified if the sex of the baby is known. Specialty stores, both local and online, offer a wealth of ideas, but the mother-to-be may be the best inspiration, even when the shower is a surprise.

A popular theme for baby shower decor is one that incorporates the prospective mother’s love for a pet or her involvement in a hobby or cause. Individualized invitations can set the theme for truly unique baby shower decorations. For example, invitations featuring a puppy announcing the party date, time and place would be perfect if the shower is for a dog-loving mother-to-be. Party favors might include tiny stuffed puppies clad in diapers or wearing pacifier neck collars.

Baby shower decoration ideas are unlimited and need not be expensive. Online baby shower decoration websites and even fabric stores offer a plethora of inexpensive items to transform any home or space into a virtual baby wonderland. Tulle, a fine open mesh fabric that needs no hemming when cut, is available in colors from brilliant to pastel and can be draped, twisted and curled around the centerpiece and gift tables.

Other cheap baby shower decorations include such baby related toys as musical rattles, colorful baby car keys and homemade confetti. Decals applied to baby food jars make ideal holders for votive candles. Inexpensive woven baskets decorated in theme colors make party favors every guest will treasure. Paper plates and plastic tableware in solid colors are often adorned with special baby designs that enhance the décor of the party.

The cake is the focal point of any baby shower and can be as lavish or simple as the budget allows. A decorator cake from a bakery or cake decorating specialist might be the best place for the frugal hostess to spend most of her shower budget. Making the cake a focal point by placing it prominently takes attention away from less decorated areas of the room or space where the shower is held.

An alternative to buying an expensive decorated cake is using one the hostess makes herself, perhaps using a baby carriage shaped pan, and decorating it with candies and fresh flowers. A totally unique cake results when tubes of colored frosting are available and each guest adds a flower or design to a simply frosted cake. One of the game prizes can go to the guest whose design is chosen by the mother-to-be as her favorite.