NOT a Baby Shower!
- September 25th, 2008
Celebration Ideas, Life Celebrations
No, it was *not* a baby shower. Just a little luncheon for our girlfriend Siobhainn, pregnant with her 3rd. She adamantly refused a baby shower, but that didn’t stop us from pampering her in other ways! Readers often ask us for non-traditional baby shower ideas, and our Birth Day Party article provides a great shower focused on the mama-to-be.
Here is another, low-key approach to honoring your girlfriend and the coming baby. At our luncheon, guests were asked not to bring baby gifts, at our friend’s request. Instead, they contributed a small amount toward a salon gift certificate that the mom-to-be can use for a pedicure or facial at her leisure.
In addition, we filled a piggy bank with “wishes of good fortune” addressed to the new baby. Siobhainn can read the wishes to the child when he (or she) is older. (She didn’t want to read them at the party, fearing she would flood us with tears!) We also had our girlfriends sign up to bring meals after the baby is born. Now Siobhainn can expect dinner brought to her door at least twice a week for 4 to 6 weeks–a huge help when juggling a newborn and two school-age kids. Last but definitely not least, our girlfriend Margaret (cooking goddess) lovingly prepared the food–finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, fruit skewers, lemon tarts, brownies, punch, and more. Margaret’s food is always to die for–let’s just say you never want to decline an invitation at her house! 
So, in the end, the guest of honor was touched, the friends ate well and everyone enjoyed a lovely “ladies who lunch” event while expressing their excitement over a brand new baby-to-be. It was so worth the effort! Girlfriends, considering showering your friends–no matter what the occasion–with a special get-together this month.
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I can’t tell you all how incredibly special I felt on that day!! Thank you my wonderful friends who organized the event…Dawn and Margaret, I am so blessed to have you in my life.
It’s a lovely surprise to find out meals will be arriving at my door a couple of times a week, too. You ladies spoil me…and I love it!
Comment by Siobhainn — September 25, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
You’re very welcome
I should add that Tina was conspicuously absent from the photos, because she was behind the camera. Isn’t that always the way!
Comment by Dawn — September 25, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
It must be the pregnant brain that neglected to mention the efforts of Tina at the party-she is so wonderful at immortalizing events such as these!! AND it was she that organized all the meals that will be coming…now that’s a friend! Thank you Tina!
Comment by Siobhainn — September 25, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Wow! What a fabulous event and idea!!!! I hope it was great!! Congrats!
Comment by Cindy Guadagnoli — September 25, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
My best friend and I have had what we call “Blessing Ways” (also sometimes called Mother Blessings) for each other in the past. For Emily’s pregnancy with Oliver (3 1/2 years ago) a group of us went out to dinner shortly before he was born. Everyone brought a beautiful candle (for her to burn during her labor) along with a handmade gift for the baby. We also went around and read some encouraging thoughts for her impending birth. Last October, my best friends had a Blessing Way during my pregnancy with Mary. They had a masseuse come and give us all massages and a manicurist/pedicurist come and do our nails. Everyone created a book (any kind – scrapbook, photo album, etc…) for the baby. I received this one ( http://thekindporcupine.blogspot.com/2007_10_02_archive.html )from Emily. It was a very difficult pregnancy and having my friends come together to encourage and support me in that way was very meaningful.
Comment by Gabi — September 26, 2008 @ 7:57 am
What beautiful ideas, Gabi! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Comment by Dawn — September 26, 2008 @ 9:02 am
A lovely time was had by all. I am hiring Margaret and Dawn to plan my next event. They really made the day and event sparkle. So wonderful to have good and dear girlfriends — yes?!
Comment by Pam — September 26, 2008 @ 5:03 pm