There was certainly no drought in my hot Texas Summer this year. I had the honor of co-hosting FOUR showers to celebrate one “Happily Ever After” and three “Bundles of Joy.”

I live for party planning, and celebrating new blessings in my friends’ lives really takes the cake. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have shared these special moments with them, and I am also excited to pass along the highlights of the events to you.

Be sure to click on the photos to read the captions for specific details on how to achieve each look. 

1. “I Do” BBQ – Couples Wedding Shower 

   

   Banner was made with a pre-made burlap “blank” banner, a stencil kit, craft paint and sponge brush.

   

   “Sending you s’more love” favors. Send your guests home with their own s’more kit to make a special treat later!

   

   Mini bundt cakes were a big hit at this BBQ.

   

   Casual and classic red and white gingham print enhances the backyard BBQ theme.

   

   Sunflowers were the perfect casual choice for the floral arrangements.

   

   Grab and go chips keep things easy and fun.

   

   Framing a list of toppings for the Hot Dog Bar is informative and decorative!

   

   Hot Dog Bar featured variety of buns, sausages and condiments.

   

   Don’t forget a card holder for the gift table!

2. “Look Whoooo’s Almost Due” – Co-worker Baby Shower

   

   Owl-themed favor bags filled with candy.

   

   “Thanks for coming…It was a “HOOT!” (favor bag tag)

   

   Owl-themed cupcakes decorated with Oreos, M&Ms and slivered almonds.

   

   Cupcake stand filled with cuteness.

   

   “Whooooo’s Hungry?” sign greets guests at the buffet.

   

   Shower game, “What’s in your Phone?” lets guests earn points for each item saved in their smart phone. Like a high-tech scavenger hunt! Prize was a tree-bark printed coffee travel mug filled with special edition “coffee nut” flavored M&Ms.

   

   Since hosting the party in a Conference Room limited our ability to hang decorations, we used the white board to welcome our guests and relay out theme.

   

   Guests were invited to write on “Night Owl” diapers for the new Mommy-to-be. Funny messages on these diapers will bring a smile to her face when duty calls, late night!

3. “Rookie of the Year” – Co-worker Baby Shower (Celebrating the New Daddy-to-Be!) 

   

   Concession Stand for yummy treats!

   

   “Rookie” Card featuring the Daddy-to-be

   

   Cracker Jacks favors

   

   Favor sign, which read, “You’re Outta Here! Thanks for coming. Hope you had a “ball!”

   

   Snacks included peanuts, Cracker Jacks, bubble gum, and cupcakes.

   

   A vintage “Peanuts” character playing baseball adorned the peanuts bags. A simple “Peanuts and Cracker Jacks free printable was found online and made special in a frame.

   

   Shower game was “Baby All-star Bingo.” Guests filled their own Bingo cards with gifts predicted to be unwrapped. THe first one with a bing won the prize (a baseball bat and ball, Baby Ruth bar and sunflower seeds).

   

   Guests were invited to fill in the “score board” with predictions for the baby’s “game time stats,” such as arrival date, time, weight and length.

   

   “Coaches (aka fellow parents) were encouraged to write down advice for the new Daddy.

4. “You are my Sunshine” – Best Friend’s Baby Shower 

   

   Guests were encouraged to write a special note for the baby in the “You are my Sunshine” book.

   

   Easy printable found online decorated the vases and juice bottles.

   

   Paper “puffs” were affixed to candlesticks to add height to the beverage station.

   

   A collection of vintage glassware was used for the lemonade and mimosa bar.

   

   Lemon graphics were printed and tied to the feet of the glasses for an added festive touch.

   

   Yellow serve-ware and decor brightened the brunch buffet line.

   

   The meaning of the baby’s chosen name was framed and displayed to add a personal touch to the decor.

   

   Baby’s name was displayed on set of coordinating wooden blocks. A gift for the baby;s nursery after the party’s over!

   

   Use your ordinary home decor items to your advantage when hosting. The candles were removed from this wooden holder, and lemons added to the theme.

   

   Homemade scones and mini quiches were guest favorites.

   

   Yogurt bar and sausage bites rounded out the brunch menu.

   

   Mantle banner was made from free paint chip smaples form the local hardware store. Sunny accessories completed the mantle’s look.

   

   The gift table was framed by another “paint chip” banner, made from the scraps leftover from the larger banner craft project!

   

   Mimosa bar was also a guest favorite!

   

   Lemonade stand in the beverage station.

   

   Shower Game: Hostess set a timer on her phone and guests were encouraged to sing “You are my Sunshine” and pass the lemon to the next guest while the Mommy-to-be opened gifts. The guest holding the lemon when the timer went off won the prize (two “You are my Sunshine” kitchen towels.

   

   Shower Game: Guests had fun playing a high-tech version of a scavenger hunt, using their smartphones. Prize was a “You are my Sunshine” mug filled with Lemonhead candy.

   

   Favors were lemon-scented soap. Favor tags were my favorite shower touch, which read “From Bethany’s Shower to Yours.” Funny, cute and useful!

   You’ll notice some of the same items were used for multiple events. I love to re-purpose items and use them time and again. For example, the cupcake stand was purchased for my son’s baptism reception, and I have used it about a hundred times since! I simply change a ribbon bow out to match each theme. Additionally, I print a round graphic decoration from online, cut it out, and place one on each plate. This special touch shows more and more as guests remove the food from the stand. Don’t limit this investment piece to only cupcakes…it’s mighty useful for most anything (scones, bundt cakes, favors, mini quiches, you name it!)

   For more information about how to make the sunshine banners, check out One Mantel, Styled Four Ways.

Now, onto the next party to plan…my son’s birthday. Stay tuned for pictures from his “Choo, Choo…I’m 2!” celebration!