How to throw a baby shower unworthy of Pinterest

As I mentioned in my post about Elissa's shower, it can be really intimidating to throw a shower these days.  Click over to Pinterest to innocently gather ideas, and it'll lead you to blogs with the absolute most unrealistic baby showers you never dreamed could exist.

source doesn't link anymore. it was so unrealistic, it literally became unreal!

Umm... yeah.  This one was my back up plan, if my first theme didn't work out. (ha)

(And a funny: I was talking about throwing this shower with a friend who has many kids.  The older boys immediately got going on a funny tangent about how dangerous it must be, you know, throwing showers inside your house, and what happens if you hit someone, or damage something?)

Anyway, I thought I'd write a little snipit of 7 tips for planning a Not-Pinterest-Worthy-But-Still-Fun Shower.  Mostly for my own good, if I ever throw another one mostly by myself again:

1) Enlist and accept help!  Many of the guests were soo sweet and offered to help.  By all means, accept it.  I tried to keep the helping easy, so that those who offered wouldn't regret it.  :)  Several friends brought sides for my main dish (more on that in a sec) or toppings for the dessert.  One came a bit early to help set up and one stayed a few minutes to help clean up.  So nice.

2) Pick an easy menu.  One of my favorite thing about showers is lots of different finger foods and intricate desserts.  But I had to get real about how much I could do alone.  Whip up decadent parfaits, cake pops, and bruschetta all on my own?  While balancing a baby on my hip?  Who doesn't take long naps?  Fuhgettaboutit. 

original picture from http://www.lovefromtheoven.com

Elissa and I share a love for all things Spanish, so I went with a carnitas recipe from PDubs - it did not disappoint - and set up a nacho bar.  The meat was pretty low-maintenance to cook all morning, and then all I had to do was set out sides (many provided by guests).  Dessert was an ice cream bar, because Elissa loves ice cream.  The food played on mom-to-be's likes, and all the guests were full and happy.  That's the real goal anyway, right?

3) Keep calm and carry on.  For dessert, I made a home made ice cream.  It was my first time attempting such, and it churned out turned out great.  At least, the half that didn't spill everywhere in my refrigerator did.  Grr.  Danny immediately ran to the store to get some Bryers to supplement.  Could I have frantically made a new batch in hopes that it'd be ready to churn before guests arrived?  Sure, and probably would've lain an egg in the process.  Yay Danny for providing the simple solution!

4) Don't worry about getting all theme-y.  Now, if that's your thing, please, be theme-y.  I actually started with a theme, but then got too stressed out trying to make everything fit the theme, and punch out adorable shaped things with my non-existant paper puncher... 

5) Borrow stuff.  I borrowed a bunch of clear, glass serving dishes from my mom, and mason jars from my friend Andrea for drinks. It helped tie together everything (remember, I had no theme), but of course was free.   

ice cream and drink table, minus the ice cream.

Along those lines, I found a free printable online that I could customize for the invitations.  I couldn't change things like font, but I still like how they turned out.  Annnd now I can't find it so just imagine a pink/gray chevron pattern on cardstock.  Oooh, ahhh.

6) If your decorative puff balls look a fright, keep trying. For about two months.  Here is a picture of my first attempts, which I sent to Cindi, puff ball pro, asking for advice.

Good thing I started trying back in June.  Eventually, you'll fold and fluff out something acceptable.

much better, right?

7) If you're not feeling games, don't do a game.  I actually really like shower games, but I've been to roughly 12378912837 showers this year, so instead of guessing which candy bar was melted into a diaper, we went 80s retro and enjoyed some good old fashioned puff paint.  It was fun to see everyone's creativity, and the onesies added to the decor.  I call that double-dipping.

That's it!  This Not Pinterest Worthy shower turned out A-OK in my book.  Because when you mix lots of happy friends, excitement about a new baby, good food, puffy paint, and gifts... how can it not be a recipe for a good time?  I'll take that over unrealistic Pins any day.

Happy showering!