What is an appropriate flower arrangement for a baby shower?

When deciding on a flower arrangement for a baby shower, the main consideration is the personality of the mother-to-be. If you are good friends with her you can easily decide on an arrangement that she would enjoy. If not, Nancy Wharton, who has been in business for twenty-six years and is the founder and owner of Casa Verde Florist in Austin, Texas, offers these suggestions: “Baby shower arrangements often have a mixed range of plants. Lots of people like to use plants. Plants and flowers can be combined together. Green plants with fresh flowers in little bitty water tubes are a great arrangement. You can stick flowers in a mini vase or you can have a stuffed animal with balloons attached to the plant. … Sometimes, florists will do baby novelty baskets, which are a mixture of little baby items. These are very popular. This can also be done with balloons. Balloons can have a stuffed animal inside or something like that. A lady came into the shop a couple of weeks ago and she got two of those balloons for centerpieces. You can do all kinds of things.” You can create your own “baby tree” to place in the center of a foliage arrangement by buying a “coffee tree” or making one of your own and painting or wrapping it in pretty paper. Then you, or a few of your crafty friends, can crochet baby mittens and booties to hang on it with a cute hat for the “topper” and a matching blanket for the “skirt”. This can be modified for almost any theme, including items for a baby’s bath, such as washcloths, small rubber-ducks, and miniature baby shampoos and lotions, which can be held in place with decorative ribbons. This can then be placed in a newborn washtub with greenery or flowers filling the space around it. Another possibility is to set a vase out and have each guest bring a single flower, so everyone can contribute to a keepsake arrangement for the mother-to-be. You can have them attach a small slip of paper to the top of the stem with a short note of advice or congratulations written upon it and listing the flower that they chose. Make sure to designate someone to cut the flowers and place them in the water as each guest arrives. After the shower have the arrangement dried and collect the notes to create a small scrapbook to give to the guest of honor. This is a unique reminder of her baby shower that she is sure to treasure in the years to come. This “potluck” idea would also be appropriate for bridal showers or wedding anniversaries - practically any occasion of celebration.