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Baby showers are fun for everyone involved...

Family, friends and co-workers gather to share the excitement and shower the mother-to-be with gifts for the new baby ... and plenty of advice on everything child related.

Baby shower games may be silly but add lots of fun to the party. Enjoying the food that's been readied by the hostess and sharing of tips and happy stories about life with a new baby are just the appetizers for the presents opened by the little unseen guest of honor with the help of the expectant mom and dad.

A few friends help with the bigger packages. One writes down the mom-to-be's comments while another keeps track of gifts for the thank you cards. Ribbons and bows are attached to a paper plate to make the infamous "shower hat," worn after the gifts are all opened and admired.

Cake is served and then everyone goes back home to wait for pictures and word that the new baby has arrived to use the gifts that the shower provided...

Baby showers can include the guys

While showers seem to have started as an American tradition, they are now popular all over the world. Traditional showers were just for women and the men were left out. Most modern dads are much more involved with taking care of their babies and raising their children, so many showers now include couples.

One shower game gets the men involved by racing to see who can dress or diaper a doll the fastest. Another has the guys, with pillows stuffed in their shirts to mimic a pregnant belly, bending over to tie their shoes. Just try and imagine the scenes and you'll understand how much laughter these create.

You'll find plenty of other games and tips for planning co-ed showers online.

Baby shower gift ideas are easy

It's true. Giving baby shower gifts is just as much fun as shopping for them! A gift of a few outfits in neutral colors for the new baby is always safe and appreciated, or try chipping in for a big gift like a crib, high chair, car seat, stroller or video camera.

Many expectant parents make gift giving simple by registering at a local store. You can check the registry online to see what they need and pick a baby gift that fits you budget. If you are attending a baby shower, it's better to have the gift delivered to your home so it can be opened at the shower. If you live far away, have the gift sent straight to the new parents home. It's still a lot of fun to open baby gifts when the shower is over.

Planning a baby shower has never been simpler

The Web is a wishing well of great ideas for baby shower themes, invitations, decorations, shower games and gift ideas. Tips for clever, useful centerpieces like cakes made from clean disposable diapers or huge baby bottles filled with little gifts for the baby are easy to find. Baby registries online make giving gifts so much simpler.

There are so many baby shower planning resources online, you wonder how anyone ever hosted a baby shower before the Internet was available...

Baby Shower Games - This long list of baby shower theme games should keep your guests entertained. There is also a list of party games that are not designed for baby showers, but that might be fun to try. They include a Baby Shower Checklist and a Grandma-To-Be Shower Section. The main page is a very nice directory of ideas for other parties and places to shop for anything you need that's shower or party related.

Party Games-Baby Shower Games - This is a page of so many games, you could throw a dozen showers and still have some left over. Games for showers that are co-ed are included. There are many games here that you won't see anywhere else so take your time reading through the list.

4 Showers Party Planning Tips - Advice for planning an office, home, or restaurant baby shower with a special section for couples showers. They have games, but they don't stop at that — lots of good party planning advice here.

Fun Baby Shower Ideas - All the help you need planning and throwing a great baby shower from the invitations and decorations to the food, games, favors ... and a checklist to keep the planning smooth. Include the link as a gift to the mom-to-be because along with great shower info, it's a mom's world has just about anything mom related she'll ever need to find...

Mommy Party - This site is very different - they do have listings of games, good planning and theme ideas and more, but they also offer a service that lets you throw an online baby shower for a relatively inexpensive fee. If the mom-to-be is far away from home, this may be the ideal solution. It seems to get a lot of use from military wives.

Baby Shower Central - Baby Shower Poems - A nice collection of baby shower poems and others that can be easily adapted for invitations and favors.

How to Make a Diaper Cake - If you have the time and patience, you'll love these do-it-yourself instructions on how to arrange your own impressive gift of baby diapers for the expectant mom-to-be, with related tips and complete materials list.

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couples baby shower games