Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let me back up a minute before I tee up all kind of rumors that will make our parents' pulses quicken. I'm not talking about us...I'm talking about throwing a baby shower for one of my best friends. My rounder figure can be solely attributed to an injured hip and the indulgence in too many glasses of Napa Valley wine. But I digress.

It's no secret that I love to entertain, In fact, said baby shower will be hosted at our very casa just next weekend. And while I feel like I can throw together an affair to remember without too much worry, in this case extended family will be flying in from multiple states, so the pressure to step up to the plate is really on. Although the mom-to-be wants to keep the couples shower relaxed, my worry is starting to mount given I don't have all the details firmed up at this stage, and have just a mere eight days to finalize our plans.

It helps tremendously that I'm co-hosting the event with another hostess with the most-ess, but I still need to get my rear in gear. My mind is buzzing with a list a mile long of recipes to try, groceries to buy, décor arrangement, and more.

What have we done so far?

  • Guest list finalized
  • Invitations designed, printed, and mailed
  • Theme of party has been established, playing off of the turquoise umbrella used in the invitations
  • Rough menu sketched out

What's left to do in advance? Uhhh, for starters:

  • Purchase décor
  • Make décor
  • Plant new flowers and mulch beds
  • Clean backyard
  • Clean and oil outdoor furniture
  • Trim ivy
  • Clean house
  • Finalize menu
  • Make playlist
  • Purchase beverages
  • Shop for/make food
  • Finalize favor idea and implement
  • Somehow figure out how the mom-to-be, a graphic designer by trade, could design various party accoutrements (favor labels, menu cards, etc.) without spoiling any surprises
  • Set up

As you can see, we have our work cut out for us. But as you might know about us, all it really takes to get our butts in gear is a nice little deadline. A few weeks ago I started a Pinterest board for myself to inspire me in the way of baby shower celebration ideas. Here are few of my front runner ideas for food, fun, and favors.

I pinned this to get my "outdoor decor" creative juices flowing. While we won't have nearly this many people all seated in our tiny backyard, I'm more looking at the umbrellas and simulated jewel rain effect. Though this spread is pink, we don't know the sex of the baby, so we really don't have many limitations in color.

There's not much that gets my fancy going more than color coordinated and perfectly lined up party items. I really like the tiered approach to dessert presentation in this photo, as well as the glass bottles for drinks. It's unique and quite fun.

You know me and my love for baked desserts of the cake variety. This spread would obviously be incredibly involved if I were making it all myself, but I think there are some really great ideas tucked in here that will give me a good start.

Honestly, who can't get behind a champagne bar for a baby shower (other than the mother to be)? This look is so bright and clean, and if there's ever a time to start poppin' corks, it's when you're celebrating the impending arrival of a little one.

We're looking to keep the menu "utensil-less" for a more relaxed, casual approach. (And also because we can't provide seating for the number of people in attendance.) Finger food will allow guests to easily mill around. And as you can see from these photos, I'm a bit obsessed lately with cute, individual serving presentation when entertaining, including these chic miniature seven layer dips.

Photo credit: The Girl Who Ate Everything

So now I turn to you, oh reliable, insightful, and wonderful blog friends. What do you think we should throw into the mix? Keep in mind we want this to be more of your atypical baby showers. No games guessing the circumference of a belly. There will be both women and men in attendance, and it will hopefully be both inside and outside depending on the weather. 

With that information in hand, what shall we do? How should we celebrate? Do you have any favor ideas? As a mother of only four-legged kids, I would absolutely LOVE to hear some of your sage advice. I can think of one mother-to-be that would be oh so appreciative of any input.

Comments 14

Comments

Kelly C.
5/17/2013 at 12:30 PM
These labels would be cute on the champagne bottles. Or beer for the men (my husband won't drink champagne) . . . . catchmyparty.com/photos/882965
Wendy
5/17/2013
So cute! Thanks for sharing, Kelly!
Kelly C.
5/17/2013 at 12:48 PM
Also, you don't have a pizzelle iron do you? My friend made them into small individual bowls for a shower, they were so cute (they would sort of mimic the umbrellas) . . . allrecipes.com/recipe/italian-pizzelles/detail.aspx
Wendy
5/17/2013
Sadly I don't have a pizzelle iron, but this idea is genius!
I wouldn’t even dare write your title… it would be too crushing when my mom realized I was joking.

I like the symmetrical tiny deserts on the white trays… (actually, I just like the trays and would like an excuse to buy them.)
Wendy
5/17/2013
:-)

I too love those trays. I'm already thinking a trip to the Crate & Barrel Outlet here in town is on my agenda for the weekend! Anything to fuel my white serving dish obsession...
Tara
5/17/2013 at 2:42 PM
At my friends shower, we filled out a little quiz, where we answered questions like "What's ____ biggest craving?" and "What will _____'s reaction be when he sees the baby for the first time?" etc. It was really cute. We also did a word jumble with baby -related items, like telotb = bottle. There was a time limit and chocolate involved - it got pretty crazy!

Hope the shower is great fun!
Wendy
5/17/2013
What a cute idea! Thanks for the suggestion, Tara. :-)
Tiffany Miller
5/17/2013 at 2:50 PM
I know you said no games, which is how I did my shower...but my GF had out a craft station that was adorable. She only had 0-3 month onesies but I would put out onesies with all ages up until 18 months to have a variety and different items for guests to decorate so mom and dad can bring them home for great memories. Later on mom posted pics of the baby wearing the onesies on FB and it was super cute to see. You could have fabric pens, paints and iron on transfer paper. It was definitely a fun creative outlet and kept the flow of the party going :)
Wendy
5/17/2013
I LOVE the idea of the onesie craft station, but thinking about the number of guests vs. our small house, I haven't been able to figure out where to set it up that doesn't block a door/has ample room for people to spread out. We might need to do a small girls night for this one, because I'm dying to try it!
Tiffany Miller
5/17/2013 at 2:53 PM
Wendy
5/17/2013
Good grief, that's adorable!
Karin K
5/17/2013 at 3:20 PM
Those 7 layer dip cups are BRILLIANT. Can't wait to see what you do!
Wendy
5/17/2013
I seriously love these little dip cups too. After the first few people tackle a dip like this, it always looks like a bowl of dog food. I hope this will keep the presentation looking more elegant. Plus, who doesn't like having their own cute serving?
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