Baby shower decorations add the ultimate sparkle and finishing touch to a great baby shower. I really enjoy coming up with theme and decorating without having to use tacky party store decorations, and trust me, you don't need to buy expensive decorations to make it a beautiful and memorable occasion.

As the day draws closer and the theme is set, you can start think about your and those much anticipated takeaway favors. Incorporating personalized and unique decorations is a fabulous way to make the event a truly personal one where expecting parents can share their delight with family and friends. "Decorations can be a major element for a more unusual shower," says Sherri Foxman, AKA the "Party Girl" and founder of Party411.

If you have already selected a general theme, you will probably have a sense of what your decorations will need to be. But what are good ideas to go with if you don't have a concrete theme? One favorite decoration is to make a clothesline of baby clothes that can be given to the Mommy-to-be after the shower. Another idea is to use shower decorations then hand them out as favors at the end - a versatile and fun trick . "Add a few finishing touches to your decorations by placing fresh flowers in baby-related items is also a great touch" says Foxman. You can also theme your decorations around important life stages of the young couple.

So what if budget is a concern? Well, a nice garden can provide the perfect backdrop to a party and requires minimal decorations. Mini baby carriages and carriage shaped candles are popular decorations for baby showers, as are the ubiquitous rattles and stork/baby/teddy bear decorations.. Online party stores will have most of these items at relatively reasonable prices.

One of the more popular new trends is to have a couples event, much like the co-ed trend in bridal showers lately. If you are having a couples shower, you should limit the cutesy decorations, and the food shouldn't be all dainty either. Again, decorations need not be expensive, just use your imagination. If you are going with a Hollywood Babies theme, then celebrity-themed faux name tags, a red carpet, and glitter could be used as decorations and there could even be a paparazzi photo-shoot for your guests.

And remember that if you're inviting the guys, sports related decorations and favors are affordable and also fairly easy to locate, making this a theme worth considering or at least including. Keep in mind men are not going to as interested in frilly decorations or silly games, so the co-ed shower tends to be more low key.

As the organizer, take steps to keep yourself sane in the process. Be sure to create a hostess committee, or just to ask for help in setting up if you are going it alone. You should feel free to ask other good friends of the parents-to-be to help with purchasing decorations (you'll reimburse them at the shower unless previously discussed) and to assist with setting up and cleanup.

There are so many great baby shower ideas to choose from, but at the end of the day cost doesn't always equate to quality. Don't forget that the very best and most memorable baby shower decorations will be much more about using your imagination than your pocketbook!