I just recently (on Sunday actually) organised a baby shower for my best friend. She knew about it.

We had it at her mums home. We arranged it for 2pm, we had a 'high tea' kind of theme - smoked salmon bite size sandwiches, scones and cream, cupcakes, champagne, peach schnapps, coffee and tea.
It went reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally well. We had about 25 of her close girlfriends. We played 3 games (PM me if you like and i will email you what sort of games we played), of which me and another girl organised, the mum to be just sat back and watched/particpiated in the games. We had a few 'baby shower' decorations hung around the room, our plates, napkins and cups were pink and blue (she does not know sex of baby), and generally it went really well.

We opened the gifts towards the end of the party, then everyone left (and we hung around and ate all the leftovers ). It was a blast, you must have one, especially for your first. I thought the 'afternoon' tea idea was great. Entertaining and feeding 20 or so people can become costly, not to mention a headache. The afternoon tea involved a couple of cakes, some sandwiches and some champers.......Enjoy.