How to Throw the Best Summer Parties

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From Here to Maternity

Considering more babies are born in July and August than any other months, the stork has likely been delivering invite after invite for summer baby showers. According to Dial, the days of light pink and blue and diaper cakes are over. "Go bright and bold this summer, with a unique color scheme like orange and aqua or red and yellow," she says. Pull the rich hues in with flavored sodas, French macaroons, or bowls of jelly beans.

No one actually wants to smell candy bars melted in diapers, so ditch the clichéd games and try a Blessing Board: Pass out slips of paper and ask guests to jot down a nugget of advice for the mom-to-be. Pin them to a piece of foam-core board covered in a pretty wrapping paper or fabric; Mama can hang it in baby's room. (This works for bridal showers too.) Another thoughtful touch for the guest of honor comes from Kim Levine of Colleyville, Texas: Purchase thank-you notes and have everyone fill in his or her address on the envelope to be pulled for a door prize. You'll save her time better spent completing the nursery, and one lucky guest will leave with a gift.

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