Here’s what to include: who it’s for, who’s hosting, where and when— plus rsvp, phone, e-mail and deadline. If there’s a theme—linens, lingerie, wine—explain, and maybe add where she’s registered. If it’s a surprise, say so prominently, so no one spills the beans. But what will make your invite memorable is its presentation.

Go ahead and indulge your whimsical, feminine side when designing shower invitations. Chris Murphy, owner of The Front Porch in Pennington (609-737-0071; www.thefrontporchnj.com), tells us, “Bright pink, lime green, and turquoise are hot, often sprinkled with polka dots or daisies to up the fun quotient.”

“Showers themselves are getting bigger—50 to 125 guests—and more elaborate, featuring luncheons at fine restaurants,” explains Patricia Stewart of The Bag Lady in West Windsor (609-426-4001). “So your invitations should be equally upscale.”

Stewart offers embellished cards to suit the season or location. She might add a die-cut snowflake for a mid-winter shower, a sprig of dried lavender for a spring event, or a starfish for a seaside shower. These 3D invites get opened and instantly jotted on the calendar, but also require hand-canceling at the post office.

Prefer to do it yourself? Choose an invitation kit from a stationery store, and get busy. For best results, make sure the paper and your printer are top-quality. We found adorable, affordable shower invites on www.myexpression.com and www.paperaffair.com to custom print or print yourself. Your invitation’s personal touches show guests that this event will be special. After all, your ultimate goal is an invite that says, “Don’t even THINK of missing this party!”