Planning a baby shower doesn't have to be stressful. One of the most important decisions you will have to make in planning the shower is what you are going to serve to eat. Finger foods? A sit-down meal? To make your decision-making process simpler, consider who will be coming to the shower. Showers with girlfriends and co-workers often call for finger foods. On the other hand, baby showers for family members or co-ed showers might require a little more work.

A Meal
The food you serve will depend on whether you want to have a sit-down meal or a variety of appetizers. Sit-down meals are nice, but they tend to be more complicated and often much more expensive. Full meals often are served at baby showers with family attending or co-ed baby showers. Fathers-to-be are being invited more and more to attend baby showers. Couple friends of the proud parents-to-be often attend; and because men are not as likely to enjoy playing cutesy shower games, the baby shower will revolve more around the food. What guy doesn't appreciate a hearty meal, right? It also gives everyone a chance to sit together to catch up and share stories.

Finger Foods
If you opt for the snacks and appetizers, there are many options as to what to serve. For simpler menus, serve veggies, such as carrot and celery sticks, broccoli florets and dip. Also offer different types of snacks like chips, pretzels, cookies, crackers—all of which are easy to set up and there's something for everyone. If you want something with a little more substance, make some finger foods. Some popular dishes are mini-quiches, pasta salads, stuffed mushrooms and mini-pizzas. Try to make something that the mother-to-be likes to eat. The important thing is to have a variety of foods so nobody goes hungry. And don't forget the dessert. In fact, you can even have a dessert-themed party. Lay out several dessert dishes and let your guests indulge.

The easiest way to serve food at a baby shower is to set up a buffet-style spread or place plates of appetizers around the room. Many shower throwers purposely scatter plates of food around the room to get people up and moving about. This often encourages everyone to circulate and mingle with people they are meeting for the first time.

Whatever you decide, don't forget to relax and enjoy yourself at the shower. Keep in mind all the guests are there to spend time with and show support to the soon-to-be mom (and dad). The food is just icing on the cake.

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Other articles on baby showers:

• Baby Shower Entertainment
• What You Should Know About Baby Showers
• What to do with Baby Shower Favors
• Blessingways: Celebrating the Passage into Motherhood