One of the most central events in the life of two people is discovering they are going to be parents. Nothing can match that sense of elation that rushes through the body when you are given the news. Everyone feels the same sense when they find out the news about the blessed event for the first time; that thrill of pleasure blended with anticipation for the future.

Whether you are preparing for the arrival of a boy, girl or twins, you can bet your family and friends will plan to hold a baby shower in honor of the new baby. What better method is there for first-time mothers and fathers to receive some of the most needed items for their nursery?

The first step to setting up a shower event is to decide where and when to hold it. If you are needing to keep expenses under control, then think about these options:

• Your home

• A Friend's home

• Your Church

• A Community Hall

• A Picnic Shelter at a local Park

Once the place is decided and established for the planned party date, then it is time to set the guest list for the festivities. After planning on who is coming, the next step to deciding on what entertainment and food you should plan. First, will it be a surprise event? Will the new daddy be coming? Will it a family bash?

More and more, shower events are becoming a family affair; especially when older children are already part of the family. Making the party family oriented gives you a whole range of low-cost options for planning a tremendous affair, yet managing the event's budget small. One very uncomplicated and commonly customary way is to plan a Pot Luck where everyone brings a different dish. A Pot Luck is acceptable for either a barbecue or a park picnic.

Planning a family baby affair, while eliminating some planning problems, does bring up others; like what kinds of activities to have that all can play. This can easily be planned around with a little imaginative cunning. Have games everyone can play. Just remember to have appropriate prizes for any age winner.

• Egg on Spoon Race, or golf ball on the spoon

• 3-legged Sack Race – always a family favorite

• Ball Toss – Toss the ball at a target or through a hoop, closest one wins

• A Scavenger Hunt

• If you are at the park and the sand pit is large enough, hold a sand sculpting contest.

• Charades or Pictionary

• Guess the number of beans in a jar, or similar idea

Now that you have the venue, day and time, guest list, food and entertainment settled, the next step is to settle on decorations. I like to use a similar theme as the parents are using for nursery decor for the festivities and invites. I also suggest giving presents in the same theme to go well in the baby's room. If the party is a surprise, be sure to put that on your invitation. If you are having a family party, then make a note to the parents that children are not only invited, but are expected to be there. I also encourage that the host/hostess of the festivities offer to keep a gift registry of which guest plans to purchase what gift. This simple gesture will be most prized by the new mom and dad. Also when some guests cannot decide on what to purchase, you will have the opportunity to propose presents or advise that one or two guests combine their funds. Invitations should be sent out at least 45-30 days prior to the party date. Request RSVP's should be returned no later than 30 days before the event.

Decorations for the festivities will be generally decided by whether the party is indoors or outdoors. Indoors, you can use balloons, streamers and banners, as well has tablecloths and matching napkins and paper plate themes. Outdoors, you will probably want to keep the balloons, streamers, banners and tablecloths to a minimum in case it gets windy. However, a lot of tape can help keep things in place.

One way to give a very functional present yet have a spectacular centerpiece is to use either a diaper cake or a baby gift basket as your central decoration. Once the party is finished, the diaper cake or gift basket is a completely functional gift for the new mother and father. Diaper cakes and baby gift baskets are a spectacular way to decorate as well as give as presents. New parents really like receiving all the surprises each holds.

So now you have a fully designed, inexpensive party that will be an event that your friends and family will remember for years to come. Good Luck!