Perhaps you thought that baby shower cakes were merely an appetizing dessert served to your guests... Well, that's certainly one kind of cake. But there is a different kind of baby shower cake that is filled with all sorts of helpful gifts for the expectant mom. One very popular choice in this area is a gift that really can remind you of a tiered wedding cake. But rather than being made from sugar and flour and eggs, it is constructed from the one thing that a new mother can never have too many of - diapers.

These clever and decorative baby shower cakes make for the perfect gift for the event. Everyone thinks of giving diapers to the expectant mother and she will certainly be able to use them. But giving them in this way turns a needed but unexciting gift into an opportunity for laughter for both the guests and the mom-to-be.

Piled high one on top of another and covered with other pretty items that really do make it just look like the genuine article, diaper cakes are not only fun but also practical and the guest of honor can peel them off one at a time as required. Just like eating a wedding cake that can last for days or weeks, this particular gift affords its own storage bin.

This same idea can be used successfully for lots of other baby shower gifts. The false wedding cake can be filled with any type of toys for the baby, gifts for the expectant mother and a lot more.

It isn't only diapers, after all, that the happy couple will shortly. Baby oil, baby powder, lotion, ointment and many related hygiene products are common items for the nursery. At roughly 32 inches high, you will find these cakes can hold plenty of these necessities. A baby cap, booties, a terry cloth towel and several other clothing items are part of the package too.

Even the smaller 2-tier baby shower cakes can offer dozens of valuable gifts and makes a great decoration as a centerpiece for the baby shower table. Simply peel off the outermost layers and enjoy the teething ring, pacifier, rattle and more that will assuredly be used. Open it up and discover socks, a manicure set, a brush and comb and many other equally useful presents.

Some baby shower cakes may house only decorative items, but these too will be highly appreciated by the mother-to-be. Silk roses and ceramic baby blocks and more set on a silver platter make this a gift that won't be put away the closet after the party. You'll find the blocks decorating the shelf in the baby's room and the silk roses on the mantle, while the silver platter is used to liven up the table on special occasions.

Take a look at the full range of baby shower cakes on offer nowadays and you will be amazed by all the creative options.

And, remember to order the real thing for the party while you're at it.

Visit Parenting4Dummies.com when planning a baby shower for advice on everything including buying newborn baby gift baskets