Flowers can be used as table centerpieces whether a big arrangement or a single blossom in a vase, flowers add something special and elegance to any affair.
Generally baby showers call for simple arrangements of garden flowers, roses, hydrangea, etc. There is a trend toward having a bouquet of roses made from baby socks. If made correctly and displayed properly, with greenery added, they can be beautiful. Six pairs of baby socks will make a dozen roses. You will need green floral tape, green floral wire, wire cutters, a vase, baby’s breath (real or artificial) and some greenery or ferns which also can be real or artificial.
You can get detailed instructions for sock roses on the internet. Just type “baby sock roses” into your search engine. This bouquet can be given to the new mom as a gift.
Personally I prefer wild flowers, daisies, black eyed Susan’s, even dandelions and Queen Anne’s Lace. If your shower is in the spring or early summer you could use lilacs and tulips.
If the expectant mother has allergies, you can use good quality artificial flowers for your centerpiece. You can make some pretty flowers from used or new dryer sheets, you can tint them with watered down paints.
Flowers for baby showers should be displayed in attractive, whimsical containers such as a baby bootie, a buggy, bassinette, baby blocks, teddy bears, etc. Your florist or gift store should be able to tell you where you can purchase these. You might also want to check out thrift stores. Also you can sometimes get vases of various sizes for under a dollar.
I bought six single bloom vases for under four dollars and put a single sock rose in each with a bit of real greenery and we used them on the tables at a baby shower.
Depending on your budget, red flowers look better. However if you have good quality artificial roses, tulips, etc., adding real greenery makes them look more realistic. Obviously sock roses are not going to look or feel real, however they are very pretty and make a great additional gift for the baby.
Baby sock roses also make great package decorations and or baby shower favors for the guests to take home. They will always have a memento of the great time they had. My mom saved every shower favor she ever got and could tell you who the shower was for and who hosted the affair. Since most baby showers are gatherings of friends and family of the expectant mother to wish her well and give her something she will need for her baby, the affair should be kept informal and relaxed. People don’t have to get all gussied up, wear comfortable clothes and just enjoy themselves.
If kids will be welcomed at you shower, collect some foam egg cartons in a variety of colors if possible. Cut the egg cups apart and let them make flowers for the baby’s room. All you have to do is poke a hole in the bottom of each cup, let the kids poke a pipe cleaner in the hole and then fold the part in the cup over to hold the cup on. Put them in a vase or jar and let the kids present them to the new mom.
You can also use coffee filters, let the kids paint them with diluted acrylic or water color paints. You can get some really wild patterns. Even used dryer sheets can be used to make flowers. You layer two or three together, accordion fold them, fold in half and tie off about ½ inch up. Gently separate the layers and voila! You have funky flowers for a corsage or package decorations. The kids will love that something they made for the baby is being used even if only for a few moments. Collect them from the packaging and stick them in a box and dispose of them when the kids have left.
Don’t get real roses if the expectant mother loves daisies and brown (black) eyed Susie’s, as we called them in New York years ago. Never did know the real name. They were wild flowers (weeds), but they are still my favorites.
If you wan flowers for a baby shower, find out what the mom-to-be prefers and take into consideration what is in season where you live. In season flowers are much cheaper than ones that have to be brought in from other areas.
Another approach would be to buy a flowering potted plant for a centerpiece. You can pick them up in supermarkets for between five and ten dollars each. There are many ways to incorporate flowers into your baby shower decorating. You are limited only by your budget and imagination.
