Whether she’s expecting her first bundle of joy or is an experienced mother-to-be, every baby bump can be celebrated! See how two moms-to-be were feted at showers and sprinkles that celebrated the sweet anticipation of a baby’s arrival, plus learn about some trends in welcoming baby.
The “Unwrapped” Shower
Abby Hobson Shank and her husband, Ryan, couldn’t be more excited about baby Jackson’s arrival. Along with her mother, Joy Hobson, Abby envisioned a shower where guests could enjoy mingling and socializing with each other rather than watching her open gift after gift. So, she suggested an “unwrapped” shower, where guests could choose to offer their gifts without tissue paper, bows and gift wrap. Plus, the gesture would prevent extra paper going into the trash.
Held at The Livery at Lampeter Café on Lampeter Square, the shower also included a diaper raffle: For every box of diapers or wipes that guests brought, they were entered in a raffle to win restaurant gift cards. “It was short and sweet – about two-and-a-half hours – so even my busiest friends arrived on time and could stay ‘til the end,” Abby recalls.
Coffee, Tea and Mother-to-be
Guest Roe Daly greeted the mom-to-be with some pre-delivery love.
Can’t decide on a shower theme? Choose a destination with a built-in theme, like a tea room. Piccadilly Coffee & Tea House is tailor-made for afternoon tea parties. Located at the Shops at Worthington on Oregon Pike, this charming little spot specializes in high tea. Owners Debora and Gary Hunter make the space available to private parties – accommodating up to 42 guests – and can transform afternoon tea into a buffet-style brunch. Private parties may bring their own wine or bubbly and add their personalized décor. The Tea Affair in Lititz and Sugarplums & Teas near Lampeter are also options. Make a fancy hat or fabulous fascinator part of the party’s dress code – or provide tiaras for everyone to wear – and throw a shower inspired by the traditions of the British royals.
Sip and See
The baby and mom are settled at home, and now it’s time for visits, visits and more visits. A new trend is the “Sip and See” shower, which is a perfect way to consolidate those visits into a sweet gathering of friends and family to meet the new baby and raise a glass to the new parents. It’s a combination of shower and meet-the-baby celebration.
Guests were invited to record their wishes, memories and prayers for baby Jackson on tags. Ultrasound images were displayed under glass cloches.
Often hosted at the new parents’ home, the party flows like a drop-in open house, allowing the hosts to spend more one-on-one time with guests. Keep it simple – elaborate decorations and games are not expected. Invite the guys, too! A menu of light bites is typically served, along with Champagne and sparkling cider to toast the new parents and, of course, their new bundle of joy.
Sprinkle? (or in Lancaster County, a Spritz?)
Three generations of Singers – left to right, Aunt Alicia, big sister Addison Garrett, mom-to-be, Ashley (Singer) Garrett and Nanny Cindy – were joined by family and friends at a sprinkle that was held at Moravian Manor in Lititz. Pink was the theme and dress code for the party.
What’s a sprinkle? Just as it sounds, it’s a lighter version of a shower! A nifty little trend to celebrate the second (or third) baby, a sprinkle usually entails a smaller guest list of close friends and relatives. For Ashley Garrett’s second baby, her mother, Cindy Singer, chose the Zinzendorf Room at Moravian Manor Retirement Community to host 20 guests for a brunch sprinkle. Family members wore pink to honor the expected baby girl, and guests had the option of enjoying alcohol-free “Momosas,” or the traditional cocktail version of the mimosa, sparkling wine and orange juice.
White chocolate-covered pretzels served as party favors. Ava Rose arrived on July 21!
A sprinkle often indicates gifting the basic necessities for the new baby, rather than bestowing the mother-to-be with extravagant gifts as the first-time shower often includes. With more emphasis on the intimate vibe and less on games and take-away gifts for guests, a sprinkle can be a simple, easy affair that still brings loved ones together before mom is consumed with the joys of a newborn. You can opt to include the baby’s siblings, too. “Our little granddaughter happily participated in the sprinkle,” said Cindy, “thinking the party was for her.”
SHARE
PRINT