Baby showers are a fun way to celebrate a friend of family member having a baby. There are usually fun baby games and great finger foods. Lots of baby memories and baby stories. And, of course baby gifts!

But what else can you bring to a baby shower besides the customary baby gift?

If you're particularly close to the person throwing the shower, you can ask if it would be ok to come early to help set up. No, insist that you help set up.

Depending on the baby shower, it may be elaborate or simple, but in either case you can offer to help set up the food, gift tables, games, or anything else that may need to be set up.

Ask if the person throwing the party if she needs help cleaning up. After most parties, no matter how big or small, there tends to be a mess afterwards.

Even if it's just cleaning up the wrapping paper from the gifts, or making sure that all the cups, plates, and napkins are thrown away (as with paper or plastic utensils).

Although, it's not customary to do so, you may consider bringing a nice 'thank you' card or small gift for the hostess of the baby shower.

Usually, a lot of hard work and thinking goes into planning and carrying out a baby shower, so you may just want to thank the hostess of the party with a small, inexpensive gift for her troubles.

It's usually pretty hard on only children to hear, "Honey, you're going to have a little brother or sister soon." So, you may consider finding a small gift to give to the mother- to- be for her other child.

I find this a very interesting thing. I've never heard of doing this until my mom bought my brother's teacher's son a gift. He was mad because he was no longer going to be mommy's only child. He didn't want to share his parents. So a small gift of a coloring book to bring to the child, as a 'be a good sport' gift was very thoughtful.

In many cases, only children who get the news of a little brother or sister tend to feel left out and alone because no long are then the only one in their parent's heart. They now have to share. So, bringing a gift shows the child that he wasn't left out of the fun.

Consider:

• Small toys
• Coloring book and crayons
• Crayola wonder paints or markers
• Doll or stuffed animal
• Movie or CD
• Candy
• Books

Anything to remind the child that just because he's going to be an older brother, he won't be left out.

I'd recommend staying clear of the "I'm a big brother" or "I'm going to be a big sister" shirts or items, since the child is already upset about the situation.

May you have a special talent or you hold a job in an area that could help the baby shower hostess.

If you're a baker, offer to bake and decorate the cake.

If you're an artist, offer to design the invitations.

Think of something that you're good at and make something for the party or make something that would help the hostess out. Because remember, hosting a baby shower is a lot of work.