On Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for our friends, Jessica & Daniel. She's the lovely wife of the boy wh...

A September Baby Shower

Monday, September 24, 2012 , ,

Baby Shower  
On Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for our friends, Jessica & Daniel. She's the lovely wife of the boy who I once babysat, he's now our church organist and a Lutheran teacher. His father is our new vicar, and was also my principal and teacher growing up!

His family, they are also dear, long-time friends to my family. 
So I jumped at the chance to throw her {them} a baby shower when they announced they were expecting! Since she moved here from Phoenix when they married last summer, it worked out well for both of us--she needed a shower host and I needed a reason for a good party. 
{I might have begged her to let me, too.}
Mom & Dad-to-Be 
Don't these two make a darling couple? 
They're going to have a gorgeous little girl come November!
{And yes, the dad-to-be came along as well! We had toyed with the idea of doing a co-ed baby shower anyway, so when he asked to tag along at the last minute I was more than happy! This isn't the 1950s, people, dads can enjoy these things, too!}
Baby Shower Food 
We kept it simple, the theme was simply "baby shower" plus the nursery colors of pink, yellow, and gray. That's a palette I'm pleased to work with any day. 
Baby Shower 
In the yard, of course! We couldn't fit many people into our house, now could we?
To my delight, the weather was absolutely divine that day. Her relatives from Phoenix couldn't stop raving about the blissful 75 degree day. 
Baby Shower 
I'll move on to the food...

I served chicken salad sandwiches {using this incredible recipe from Jan's blog} on Costco croissants {look, I'd fly them in from France if I had the budget}, stuffed into gray and white Chevron paper bags. 
Chicken salad sandwiches 
Also cucumber toasties--this is one of my favorite, easy recipes when I need tasty snacks. 
Cucumber Toasties 
And deviled eggs. Meh. 
Deviled Eggs 
Jan was an absolute angel to me for this party. She made these delicious Nutella & strawberry cupcakes for me to serve, and delivered them a few hours before the party. {Oh, and then she stayed until party time to help me get ready, because I am a nut case during party setups. Her calm, laid back presence was exactly what I needed.}
Cupcakes! 
Store bought meringues in a vintage Fenton milk glass compote makes for a lovely filler for a party spread. 
Mmmeringues! 
Then there's Kellee's cookies. Now hear this, I've always been impressed with Kellee's cookies--she never disappoints--but these ones really were something special. 
Cookies! 
Each one is a little masterpiece. Unbelievable. 
She even designed them to match the invitations. 
Baby Shower Cookies by Kellee 
Keeping it simple, we served pink lemonade and iced tea with vintage tumblers and pink striped paper straws. 
Tea & Lemonade Stand 
I made the cake, a two-tiered chocolate cake covered in buttercream rosettes. 
Rosette "Baby" Cake 
People said the sweetest things about how lovely the cake was, I was flattered. I suppose we're always most critical of our own work, however. It was a really sloppy, last-minute icing job. Look, I know when I cut corners. 
Baby Shower Cake
The mother-to-be and I both agreed on no stupid baby shower games. 
I mean, come on, really? Melted candy bars in diapers? Tasting baby foods? Gross!

Plus, there were so many guests that I decided to keep the games to a simple minimum. 
Baby Shower Games Table 
The favors were unique--not every guest wanted one, but I have to admit the "emergency clutch" made out of a potholder was a strange thing to me, too, when Jan first made me one. But upon use, it's become an absolute necessity, you see. I LOVE mine. 

IKEA potholders with plastic baggies sewn inside, then folded in half and secured with a button and loop. So easy to make these! They hold so many wonderful little things in your purse, nicely organized!
Favors 
There was also a little baby name game and a bottle filled with taffys to win...
Games & Album table 
This was as corny as I was willing to get as far as baby shower games go...
Baby Name Game 
Guests put together a little album for the mother-to-be, using a Fujifilm Instax camera {like a Polaroid, but the film is smaller and cute!}
Instax camera & album
Guests were able to snap their own photo, paste it in the album, and write a note. 
It makes for a nice keepsake that everyone has a party in. 
Memory Album with Instax Photos 
There is some room left in the back, so I'll add some photos of my own from the party. 
Memory Album 
A few onesies, customized with iron-ons of Bible verses and monograms, makes for a great decoration and bunting. Plus, the mother-to-be can take them home and use them once baby comes!
Onesie bunting 
It always takes some encouraging to get guests to start eating, I've found. Once they did, however, plates were filled up quickly. 
Mom-to-Be 
There were a lot of people there! 
Some of our church ladies...
Church Ladies :) 
and some guests came in from Arizona and Iowa!
Baby Shower Guests 
I sent out 45 invitations! This was probably the largest party I've hosted to date. 
I enjoy the challenge of it. 
Baby Shower 
That's one of the aunts-to-be, notice her rosette boutonniere? 
Baby Shower Luncheon 
One little detail I had fun adding were these crepe paper & glitter rosettes for each one of the family members. 
Crepe Paper Rosette Boutonnières 
Okay, I'll admit it, this taffy game is a bit of a cop-out. 
Look, I made hand-crafted BOUTONNIERES, okay?
Games 
Wowzers, did they get a lot of gifts! Big party, like I said. 
Pile of Presents! 
So I made sure to start them on gift-opening sooner than later...
Baby Shower Gifts 
One clever guest wrote the most hilarious messages on the diapers she bought them. Things like, "Hey mom, someday when you're old I'll return the favor" and "Isn't it dad's turn?"
Showering Presents 
And they got a couple "big ticket" items, might I add. 
That always adds to some baby shower excitement. 
Opening Gifts 
Here is Jessica with her mom, who lives in Arizona. 
Mom & Grandma-to-Be 
Two of Daniel's three sisters, Jessica, and myself!
Aunties, Mom-to-Be, and me! 
It was a great time and an absolutely perfect day. 
Baby Shower
__________________________________________________

I can't thank my friends, Jan & Kellee, enough for the help with the amazing sweets. They were so eager and happy to lend me a hand, it's humbling. Wonderful friends I have.

Also Justin, who is an absolute hero when it comes to helping me through party planning. He never complains, even when I'm yelling at him to "hurry up and go get those rental chairs, and don't forget to get me coffee!" two hours before the party is to start...

And most important--I love baby showers so much because what better a reason to celebrate than a little blessing from God? Babies are such precious, priceless gifts. Always worth throwing a good party for. 

We can't wait for Jessica & Daniel's little girl to arrive!

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11 comments

  1. Simply amazing, once again.

    I love that little "V" onesie.

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  2. Yeah!!My baby shower is successful with a help of this.! Check It out.!
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bestappsforphone.babyshowergamesideaspro

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,
    This is definitely what I had in mind when I was thinking of baby shower ideas for girls. Fun, young and adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  4. awesome ideas...
    visit our site for more ideas http://www.babybuurman.com/

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  5. Think back to the first time you ever heard of place card holders. In depth analysis of baby shower favors can be an enriching experience. Indispensable to homosapians today, baby shower favors is featuring more and more in the ideals of the young and upwardly mobile.

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  6. Great find. I also want to have a baby shower for my friend. I already buy the baby shower supplies we needed. I hope we have a great fun too like yours! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. Please lmk where you rented the tents ! Tia ! 😊

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! We actually own these tents. If you're in Denver, I recommend Butler Rents. But most party rentals will have them, or sometimes you could swap/borrow with a neighbor. If you buy, I highly recommend King Canopy.

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    2. Hi there! We actually own these tents. If you're in Denver, I recommend Butler Rents. But most party rentals will have them, or sometimes you could swap/borrow with a neighbor. If you buy, I highly recommend King Canopy.

      Delete
  9. Wow!! What a lovely September baby shower? Your all party favors are amazing. The hand crafted boutonnieres’ are really pretty. Just loved party food you served in party for guests. Want to try it for my sister’s baby shower at one of event space Chicago by next week.

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