Simple Baby Shower Decorations

When I have hosted baby showers for friends, I always use the same decoration: a onesie banner! Here's how you do it:

1. Find 4 solid colored onesies. I like to use white.

2. Find cute fabric that goes along with the color scheme of the shower or the nursery. I like the looks of gingham, especially red gingham.

3. Cut the letters B A B Y out of the fabric using pinking shears (for easy cutting with a cute edge). I like to make the letters about 8 inches tall.

4. Pin each letter to the front of a onesie. I used straight pins, but safety pins or diaper pins would also work.

5. Using mini or regular clothespins, hang the onesies along a ribbon like on a clothesline.

6.Hang in a prominent place like over the refreshment table or across the fireplace mantle.

Try to use your imagination to picture what it would look like. Here is my terrible photograph that I am embarrassed to show, but it gives the idea somewhat. (I used light green gingham and you can't see it very well.)

This decoration can be considered thrifty & green by a) removing the letters and giving the onesies to the mom-to-be as a gift and therefore wasting very little, b) using organic cotton onesies, c) using your own child's onesies or ones purchased secondhand, or d) keeping the materials and using them over again for another baby shower. Or any combination of those!

Another variation is to spell out the child's name, if known.

Another thrifty & green decoration is to make a diaper cake as a refreshment table centerpiece... I like to do this, too. It is fun, easy, and not taxing on the wallet. You can make one out of disposable or cloth prefold diapers. The new mom will appreciate it when you present it to her at the end as a gift. Who doesn't love free diapers?

Thanks to both of my sisters-in-law for these ideas a few years back. Visit The Green Baby Guide to find more thrifty & green tips.