Hard-hat party:
The idea is to furnish the couple's home with the necessary tools and hardware every home should have. Guests are encouraged to wear jeans. Purchase a package of plastic children's tools and attach a tool to each invitation with a piece of ribbon. Print the details of the party by hand, or use your computer to create something clever.

A toasting:
The theme is an extended toast to the couple. A fancy written invitation is tucked inside a plastic champagne glass with a ribbon on the stem.

Gourmet-cooking shower: Guests are asked to bring gifts that can be used in the kitchen, such as cooking utensils and cookbooks. Tie invitations to potholders.

Bon voyage shower: If the couple plan to honeymoon out of town, make the shower invitations look like luggage tags, then attach them to brochures of the couple's destination.

Garden party: Use miniature watering cans with a package of flower seeds and an invitation attached to each can's handle with a narrow ribbon.

Working party: Guests are asked to help paint a room or lay sod. The invitation is attached to a small garden spade or other appropriate tool.

Suggestions for placecards:
Crackers: Fill a toilet-paper roll with a small plastic bag of mints, wrap with crepe paper cut 3" longer than the toilet-paper roll on each end, and tie both ends with ribbon. Glue on a name tag.

Mini-cowboy hats: For a western-theme party, print out names and attach them to tiny hats to use as place-cards.

Mug with flowers: If hosting a garden party, purchase an inexpensive mug that suits the garden theme, and place a silk flower inside. Attach nametags, and use as place cards.

When it comes to creating centerpieces, use things you have around the house:
Decorated birdhouse: For a country garden party, nestle a cheerfully painted birdhouse in raffia.

Chef's hat: Slide a chef's hat over an empty coffee can, buy potted flowers such as mums, and stick cooking utensils in the plant.

Decorated Easter basket: Encourage guests to give money at the shower by placing fake paper money in a basket filled with decorative grass.