The invitation:
The food:
We had grilled chicken caesar salad, fruit, and rolls. For dessert there was brownies, lemon bars, and cream cheese mints. Melissa brought the fruit and rolls. I did the rest, but was able to do most of it in advance and freeze it. The only thing I had to do today was the salad (Bill grilled the chicken ahead and I had frozen that, too). We had ice water with lemon slices to drink.Bill designed and built a wooden frame to display the gifts as they were opened. It was a hit - since it was an open house, this let everyone see the gifts when they arrived.
Maggie put together these adorable party favors:
Here I am with the mom-to-be:
Almost everyone (13 out of 14 guests) filled out an advice card. I was really pleased because at the last shower only one person wrote in the advice book. I printed 4 x 6 cards and handed one to everyone at the beginning of the shower. I also had a table with stickers and markers so they could decorate their cards. Then I put the advice in a photo album. I took a picture of each guest with the mom-to-be and I put each person's picture in the photo album next to their advice.
I also put together a game booklet. The answers were at the bottom, upside down, so people could do it at their own pace.Cover of Game Booklet:
Inside left page of game booklet:
Inside Right Page of the Game Booklet:
Back Page of the Game Booklet:
I was happy with how it turned out. It was a nice, low-key afternoon and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
6 comments:
That all looks so great! Do you volunteer for these? You're doing so many - it's as if it were your calling in the ward! :) Is there a reason why you do them as an open house? Do you find that more people come that way? I'd like to see what you mean by "game booklet."
Megan,
It was a fabulous shower, and I had a great time visiting with everyone. I loved everything you did, especially the way you displayed each gift. What a creative idea!!
I love you blog. If you want to follow us, it's chrisandmelbrown.blogspot.com
Thanks, Michelle! Yes, I volunteered to do these for three friends in the ward (the first I've known for 6 years and I'm her visiting teacher, the second I'm in a Primary Presidency with and she threw my shower last year, and the third is mine and Bill's best couple friend in the ward and she and I used to team teach Gospel Doctrine). It's kind of crazy that they all fell at the same time - these are the only three baby showers I've done in the 3 years we've lived in the ward. We have a lot of babies in our ward; six women are pregnant right now and five of them are first babies.
The open house has seemed to work well for the ward showers. It scales well to a large group because everyone doesn't have to sit down at once. We've opened the showers up to the whole ward. I mailed out invitations to the people they wanted to invite, but then the shower was also announced in Relief Society and open to all.
I added the game booklet to the post. I liked it because it gave people something to talk about and helped them get to know the mom-to-be a little better.
Thanks, Melanie! I'm glad you included a link to your blog - I'm excited to visit your site.
Really nice shower! I may have to steal some of your ideas later!
Thanks, Heather! You have so many great ideas of your own, but if something helps I'm happy to share!
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