The advantage of making them yourself is that you can add little personal touches such as the year of birth or initials on a bib Cookie. When making cookies for a baby shower the last think you want is for them to spread and lose shape. This is a great recipe for keeping your cute cookies in shape!!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Makes approx 60 3″ cookies

6 cups All purpose flour
3 teaspoons of baking powder
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract.
1 teaspoon of salt.

1) In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Pour beaten eggs and vanilla into the bowl, mix well. Mix baking power and salt into the flour and add gradually to the butter mixture.
2) Mix until it is all well blended and forms a dough.

3) Place in refrigerator to chill for an hour.

4) Roll out to required thickness and cut shapes out with cutters. You can buy lovely cutters with baby themes such as onesie textured cookie cutters or Wilton Baby Cutters. Place on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for up to 10 mins. Remove when they are starting to turn brown at the edges.

Royal Icing

4 cups powdered/Icing Sugar
2 tablespoons Meringue powder
6 tablespoons water

1) Put into mixer on a low speed for 8-10 minutes. When mixture is no longer shiny it is ready. If it is too thick mix in extra water gradually by hand.

2) Pipe around the edge of the cookie with the thick mixture. Allow to dry. Add more water to the Icing until it flows easily off a spoon and flood or fill in the area required. Dry over night before adding decoration or different colored icing detail.

3) When decorated present them in cookie bags and tie with ribbon or for extra wow factor make them into cookie lollipops; simply place a lollipop stick into cookie before baking and seal in bag afterwards.You can make baby face shaped cookies or even ones shaped to match a baby shower theme such as a rubber duck.

A baby shower is the baby equivalent of a bachelorette party or Hen night. It’s a great way to show your expectant friend or relation how much they mean to you and to celebrate the imminent arrival! It’s a good opportunity to give gifts for her and her baby to enjoy, receive some attention and pampering while she still can.

The Organiser and timing.

A friend who knows what the expectant Mum likes is probably the best choice when it comes to organising a Baby shower. The only rule should be that the mum-to-be shouldn’t be responsible as she really doesn’t need the extra stress. As for the timing, it is usual to hold a baby shower in the third trimester. Some people plan a surprise party, others choose to tell the mum so she feels involved.

Venues

The size of the venue will determine the number of guests you can invite. Never hold it at the expectant Mum’s house, she won’t appreciate clearing up after the event. Find either a friend who will hold the event at their house or book a venue. There are lots of options from function rooms in hotels to church halls.

Costing

You may be best to ask all the guests to contribute to the cost. Don’t forget to include venue hire, disposable plates, cups etc, decorations, a gift (if you are buying a joint one), prizes and party bags, also a cake. Remember you need to send invitations, the cheapest and quickest option is e-invites by email.

Theme options

It is good fun to have a theme. Create one yourself or consider;

A favorite kids book such as …..The Gruffalo

Cute animals

Teddy bear’s picnic

Nursery rhymes

Pink or Blue – if the gender of the baby is known.

To play Games or Not.

This really depends on how you think the Mum to be will feel. Some games are great ice breakers, especially when all the guests don’t know each other.

Popular games are:

• Guess who;

Get everyone to bring a baby picture of themselves and play guess who.

• Celebrity bump;

Get magazine pictures and cut out pregnant celebrities. Cover the heads with a “?” and get every one to guess the famous mum to be.

• Guess the name or gender;

If your mum to be is involved and happy they may agree to telling you their choice of name. Scramble it in a list of others and see who guesses right. Some Mums even allow you to guess the gender of the baby if they have kept it a secret before.

• Word search;

Make up a word grid with hidden words such as diaper, birth, stroller, sleep, teething etc.

Don’t forget some fun prizes.

• Party bags

Every one loves a little goody bag. Some thing fun and small is a good idea, chocolates, even a home made cookie iced to look like a baby’s face or even include scented soap.

• Food

It is cheaper to do this yourself and get everyone to bring a dish. Be aware pregnant women need to avoid certain foods but apart from that use your imagination. Some make their food like that at a kids party.

Enjoy it!