The baby shower, diaper cakes. . .
. . . and chocolate giraffes
I’ve been back from Delaware a few weeks already, and the big event this month was the baby shower I held for my daughter last Sunday, which is why I haven’t written. I was a bit busy. Missed me? (I hope you did a little bit, anyway! And I haven’t forgotten about Olaplex; I bought some at the salon to use at home, and that’s a work in progress that I’ll get to next time.)
Back to the shower. It was a delight, and I was so happy to see friends here who were not at the kids’ wedding.
The overarching concern with a party was, of course, Covid, which has cast a pall over so much the last two years, it’s really getting old. Not sure that expression is still in vogue, so I’ll say it’s Covid fatigue. So far, and this is a week later, I haven’t heard anyone is sick, and my fingers are crossed it stays this way. Everyone was vaccinated, but still. . . It also eliminated any chance of this shower being a surprise, so Amy was in on it from the start.
I’m not an event planner, this was a learn-as-you-go experience, and this what I learned. Don’t get frantic. Take any help that’s offered. A diaper cake is not something edible. It will all come together at the end.
The first decision? Probably the easiest. Where? It had to be the Southeast Grillehouse in Brewster, our go-to place for family parties and dinners since we moved here. Family-owned, close to home and consistent food put it at the top of the list, and this party was no different. Guests started with green salad, mushroom barley or carrot soup, then choice of penne a la vodka, shrimp scampi, chicken Marsala or grilled New York strip steak. Apple pie for dessert. Coffee, tea. Food got lots of compliments. Reasonable prices, good service, cloth napkins, and view of the Middlebranch Reservoir make it hard it beat. And I once did a story about it for The News-Times way back when. What else could you ask for?
We settled on Nov. 14, a luncheon, a date that was available, would not interfere with anyone’s Thanksgiving plans, and about a month before baby is due.
Ordering the custom invitations was fun and easy. Zazzleoffered good choices, not expensive, nice quality, arrived quickly.
Loved our safari theme, sort of mandated since both parents are vets and the baby’s gender is to be revealed the old-fashioned way, at birth. As a surprise for Amy, I added inserts requesting baby books instead of cards. A bookstore owner told me this is trending, but I had another reason. Just months before Amy said she was expecting, I gave away all the kids’ old baby books stored in the attic. And I mean more than a hundred. Easily. Maybe 200. I’m still shaking my head about it, but that’s how it goes sometimes, I guess! Books out, baby in.
Coming up with the guest list, keeping it small (under 20) and trying to make the group cohesive, I think that was the hardest. Amy and I narrowed it down to old friends, those close by, a few relatives and those most likely to come.
I did a lot in advance. In September I ordered the cake, complete with stork on top (a real old-time touch…does anyone even mention the stork anymore? ) and balloons from Stew Leonard’s and getting both at the same place was a lifesaver for pickup. The fewer stops, the better. Customer service at Stew’s, as always, was great. At the last minute, and I mean morning of party, I added 2 dozen mini cupcakes to the order. Everything was perfect. Amy always loved those Stew’s birthday cakes.
The favor bags were a work in progress until the last minute. I was going for sweet things (since babies are sweet) and ordered small honey jars on Amazon. Any extras would make cute stocking stuffers. Chocolates were a must, and here’s the giraffe thing. Amy has always loved giraffes, her lovie animal was one, and Krause’s Candyoffers just about any kind of chocolate shape you could want, including giraffes. Service was amazing, and it is really excellent chocolate.
I eventually added small bottle of Baileys to the bags, which were safari-themed cellophane, also Amazon.
I was sort of confused about the centerpieces. Flowers maybe? Did not know what to do. But then a dear friend, D, renowned for her decorating, sewing and baking skills, mentioned she wanted to make a diaper cake as her gift and it could be a centerpiece. Here is the rest of the text exchange:
Me: Great! I tried to order a diaper cake but was told by two bakeries they are not doing custom cakes anymore.
D: The diaper cake is a fake cake made with baby stuff. . . not a real cake. I use cloth diapers and receiving blankets rolled up like a cake and toys for decorations.
Me: LOL! That sounds like more fun!
In the end, the party was so fun. The seating was perfect, food delicious, there was plenty of space, the restaurant was not crowded, the diaper cakes were fabulous
and we didn’t eat them. Everyone was having so much fun catching up and playing baby shower emoji pictionary that our time was disappearing before we could open gifts. Amy said she preferred to keep the party going and open gifts at home, so that’s what we did, and later in the week, we held the gift opening over FaceTime. Not your typical shower, but Covid had trained us for this. Took a screenshot with Amy trying on the receiving blanket. Sent To D, who replied, “It looks like Christmas!” Felt like it, too, with the best little Christmas gift yet to come.
Hope to see you next time with a report on Olaplex. Again, one of those things I knew nothing about, and now see everywhere, including QVC and Sephora.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Debra