How to Host a Sip and See Baby Shower

 It is my understanding that ladies these days don't often open their homes for wedding showers, baby showers, or luncheons anymore.  What do you think is the cause of this?

Is it just too stressful to clean our homes or is it the paralyzing thought of organizing such an event?

I am here to tell you that you CAN do this!

My friends, hospitality is not a lost art! It's a LEARNED art!  Let's learn together then teach the younger generation how to host again! 

"Hospitality isn't about your house it's about your heart."

Opening your home does not have to lead to a grand tour of your home.  When asked for a tour, I often just reply with, "Oh I'm so sorry, I'm raising four boys here and my house is in rather messy shape beyond what you see here." Even if you aren't raising four boys, just take the pressure off yourself to tidy up your entire house if you are hesitant about that aspect of hosting.

Let's start with the entry.  

Take a few moments to wash your front door and any windows around the door.  Sweep or blow away any debris from around the door, patio, and walkway. (I have this blower and use it on a daily basis!)

I keep two concrete pots by the door and fill them seasonally with prefashioned hanging baskets from the local garden center. I just snip off the hanging part and plop the entire plastic basket down in my concrete pot. Easy!  My faux topiaries in the black planters are a staple around here because I can never seem to keep real topiaries alive on my porch.

Moving inside, I like to place a simple bouquet of flowers on a table near the door where the baby book can be signed.  Here I simply placed pink roses and baby's breath together.  I order bulk flowers from HERE and have had beautiful results every time!

The second aspect of hosting is selecting hostesses for the shower.  Ideally, the gal being honored will have close friends who offer to help host.  If no one has offered, reach out to the honored mother or a family member and ask for help in selecting friends or family who would be honored to hostess with you.  A cherished friend, cousin, or aunt are all appropriate hostesses.  If you take the guesswork out of the day, you will have a multitude of helpers.

What's on the menu and how to divide up responsibilities between hostesses:

I like to keep the menu very simple.  I always have the same selection at basically every shower I host. This helps cut down on frustration between hostesses and helps keep everything simple and organized. Everything will be plated at my home on my collection of thrifted (or estate sale finds) silverplated trays.

Menu Options:

Cucumber Sandwiches

Chicken Salad in phyllo dough cups

Charcuterie 

Fruit Tray

Lemon Squares

Petit Fours

Punch

Bubbly

I send out a group message to all of the hostesses with the menu options and invitation task.

Since I am hosting, I like to provide all dishes, utensils, and serving pieces so that everything coordinates.  Nowadays, texting the invitation is preferred among this generation so I take care of that too. I use a party invitation app that will send out reminders and keep track of everyone's rsvp. 

I let the remaining hostesses divide up the menu among themselves.  They are welcome to order the food or make it themselves.  I also ask that they plan on taking turns serving the guests by picking up their empty plates, replenishing food on the table, offering drinks, and light cleaning up in the kitchen.  I try not to make this sweet party a financial burden on anyone involved so no extravagant flower arrangements or balloon arches. 

Cucumber Sandwiches

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• ▢ 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 teaspoons fresh dill chopped
• ▢ 1 teaspoon fresh chives chopped
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ salt & pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 long English cucumber thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 loaf sliced white bread crusts removed

With a hand mixer mix cream cheese and mayonnaise in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in herbs, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
Spread bread slices with cream cheese mixture.
Thinly slice cucumbers. Layer over half of the bread slices. Top with additional herbs if desired.
Top with remaining bread slice, remove crusts if desired and cut each sandwich into 3 pieces or use a cookie cutter to cut into shape. 

Serve immediately or cover and store up to 24 hours.

Chicken Salad in Phyllo Dough cup

THIS recipe is my go-to. 

 I often just use a rotisserie chicken and don't add additional salt.  EASY! 

Use THIS for the edible cup 

A very small charcuterie tray is all that is needed with just a few selections of cheese, meats, nuts, and fruits.  

A delicious petit four or macarons can be ordered from your local bakery or you can make small vanilla cupcakes with white icing.

Lemon bars and fruit tarts are also from a local bakery, but you can easily make your own!

Vintage baby planters are sweet to hold napkins, forks, or simple flower arrangements

I have been collecting vintage snack sets for as long as I can remember.  I think using a lovely dish instead of paper plates really makes the sip-n-see special.  You can use ANY kind of plate.  Garage sales, estate sales, and antique stores are my favorite spots for picking up snack sets or mix-and-match plates.  No complaints here on washing dishes... enlist the help of the hostesses or save them and pray over each dish as you wash them... thanking God for the gift of that person's friendship to the honored guest.

You simply cannot have a shower without PUNCH!

 This pink punch is DELICIOUS!

I use Braum's (our local dairy) 

Cherry Limeade Sherbet and Sprite.

That's it!  

You can easily substitute any sherbet flavor.

beverage cooler

We also had a fun selection of bubbles in the kitchen!

my dress

My precious niece and great-niece

My sister aka "Honey" to sweet baby girl

Piles of pretty pink packages!

Gather all the chairs from around the various tables in your home in to the room you where will be opening gifts.  I absolutely do not like the new way of presenting gifts... unopened and for display. 

I believe the art of giving and receiving is lost when you don't sit down and open your gifts in front of your friends.  Opening gifts allows the recipient to thank the giver personally.  The giver likes to see that their gift is well received.  

A personal word to the recipient:

Fake it till you make it.  

If you don't care for the gift, it is NEVER appropriate to state your negative opinion or return a gift to the giver. 

N E V E R

Simply receive the gift, thank the giver for their thoughtfulness, and place the gift in a closet.

It is not worth hurting the feelings of another or damaging a relationship because of an unwanted or unliked gift. 

"People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Moving on.... :)

Host a shower.  You can do it.

...and in doing so, you will bless every single person that crosses your threshold.  I promise.

Hospitality is simply an opportunity to show love and care.

"When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality." Romans 12:13

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."  Hebrews 13:16

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XOX, 

Emily 

this post is dedicated to my ever-present sidekick, Ruby, who unexpectedly passed away this week.  We love you and miss you terribly.

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