A Fall Baby Shower idea

I was doing a little internet surfing during naptime yesterday, and there was a lady looking for ideas for a Harvest themed baby shower...it got my creative juices flowing, and this is what I came up with (for any of you interested in such a thing)! If you're not planning a wedding/baby shower, there are still some killer recipes for great fall food! :)

You could assign each guest to bring a themed gift in their invite. Ideas...thankful for naptime, thankful for mommy, thankful for daddy, thankful for feeding, thankful for playtime, etc. I know it is more Thanksgiving-y, but it could be fun! :) Sort of like the showers where you assign everyone a time of day or night to bring a gift for.

Or you could have a game when you asked them why they are thankful for naptime/playtime/mommies, etc. It might be good advice for the mom-to-be.

As far as food...apple cider (sparkling or spice/hot or my favorite, caramel apple cider), and pumpkin recipes like chocolate chip pumpkin bread/muffins, and pumpkin dip.

Here's an easy recipe for pumpkin dip:
1 Large can of pumpkin
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
2C. powdered sugar
Pumpkin pie spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg)
Mix together and serve w/ gingersnaps or 'Nilla Wafers

Ooo! I found another good harvest recipe in my recipe box!

Carmel Corn:
Pop 2 bags of microwave popcorn
1 stick margarine 1/4 C. corn syrup & 1 C. brown sugar (place on low heat, bring to boil and leave on low hear 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add: 1/8 tsp. bream of tartar, 1/2 tsp. each of salt and baking soda and stir)

Stir caramel through popcorn quickly. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil in a 200*F oven for 1 hour, stirring after 1/2 hour in oven.

I also have a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Cake if you are interested.

You could make fancy caramel apples for favors--you know the ones...drizzled with dark and white chocolate with mini choco chips or marshmallows on the outside...mmm, mmm! I'd wrap them in cellophane and then tie them with pastel ribbon and a mini pacifier or other baby symbol from the favor section at Wal-mart or your local party store.

You could cut out paper leaves (and/or sunflowers) and have people write their advice for the mom to be and then string them on a banner.

One of my all-time favorite general baby shower ideas...no matter what the theme, is to get together a bunch of baby scrapbook supplies (you can even ask those among your guests who scrap or stamp or make cards to bring their supplies (cutters and tools, etc) to lend a hand). Then each guest makes a page or two with blank pages for pictures. I suggest going with the smaller 8x8" books because a 12" page takes too much time. Then the mama has a ready made memory and guest book of her shower. They always come out great and have lots of love and personality! If you have a few example pages printed out--even ladies who have never scrapped before get in on it! It's great for young and old, and if you are looking for scrapbook ideas, visit: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide! Fun stuff!

And for those of you who want even more; I've linked to my diaper cake tutorial (and other ideas) too. :)