If you have friends who are expecting their first child, you know that they are going to need all kinds of items.  Crib, changing table, clothes, diaper pail, toys, blankets... the list is long. However, one of the best gifts you can give expectant mother is a baby shower.  Not only does this celebrate the new arrival,  but by including a registry it can be a great way to make sure your friend has everything she needs.

Planning any kind of party can be a big task, and a baby shower can be even more demanding,  but bringing together your friend's closest friends and family to enjoy the excitement of a new baby can be a rewarding experience, and a gift that any expectant mother will be happy to receive.  Here are some top tips on how to plan a great baby shower:

1. Involve the mother-to-be.  No matter how much you love the idea of a surprise party with people popping out from behind furniture as your friend walks through the front door,  this kind of sudden surprise is not good for pregnant ladies!  She will also want to make sure she looks her best, and by involving her in the planning you can get her advice on themes, the guest list and the registry.  That said, don't overwhelm your friend with choices, and cause stress by bombarding her with questions.  Remember, you are planning this shower as a gift, so that she can sit back, relax and enjoy the festivities.   Once you have decided on the theme and registry, take responsibility for planning the rest.

2. Avoid creating any extra work for your expectant friend.   Prepare snacks, buy in plenty of drinks, and get some paper cups and plates so that there will be minimum clean up to do.  If you have a large guest list make sure there is adequate seating in the house.

3. Create a baby gift registry.  Many large stores offer this service, and if your friend has already created a list, then print copies off, and include these with the invitations to all guests.  Alternatively, you can use services such as mygiftlist.com or myregistry.com to create a list of all gifts and necessities that the mother wants.  Let guests know the URL of the gift list on the invitations.

4.  Pick a theme.  This is one of the most fun parts of planning a baby shower.  There are all kinds of themes you can use for your shower.  If you know the sex of the baby, you can  do a pink or blue theme. Other themes include: Frogs, Princess, Cars, Rabbits or Teddy Bears.  The theme should be light hearted, and something that the parents will enjoy.

5.  Get the timing right.  The baby shower should be held about two to three months before the baby is due.  Send invitations out in plenty of time, and remember to include all of the details of the time and location for guests.  You can use Evite.com to send out reminders and keep track of RSVPs.

6.  Plan some baby games.  You certainly don't want to throw the baby shower without something fun to do. After all, you want this to be a gift that the mother-to-be will remember for years to come. Make sure you have a few prizes on hand, such as candles, picture frames or candy.