Cold shower, warm hearts

Baby, it’s cold outside.  That was the theme my oldest daughter chose while honoring her sister – my expecting middle daughter – with a lovely baby shower.

We gleaned Pinterest for weeks before the shower pinning more ideas for decorations, favors, and food than we could possibly manage but in the end, we found some adorable aspects that we incorporated into the event. 

The evening party was held at my house the day after Thanksgiving and we had a bit of snow which certainly added to the wintry theme.  Since baby is a girl, we decided to deck everything out in pink and white.

A few days before, my friend Pam helped me craft a cutie patootie snow girl made out of newborn diapers.  We thought she turned out great!  She graced the gift table which sported a background of white and pink tulle with snowflakes and icicles hanging from it with fishing line. 

Oldest daughter and I constructed a garland for the fireplace by stringing cord and attaching baby socks with tiny clothespins.  Then we added Epsom salts to Mason jars to look like snow and inserted white votive candles inside the jars.  Daughter also created a festive Baby, It’s Cold Outside sign on a canvas covered with chalkboard paint to be the focal point on the mantle.

Since it was an evening party, we kept our refreshments simple:  chicken dip with crackers (Ritz ones had snowflakes imprinted on them), French vanilla cupcakes with pink icing flavored peppermint and snowflake sprinkles, veggies and dip, white chocolate covered pretzel rods, white cheddar snow ball snacks, meringue cookies, and an assortment of pink and white candies. 

We set up a hot chocolate bar with an amazing, rich crock pot recipe.  Toppings included whipped cream, mini marshmallows, cinnamon, mini chocolate, toffee,  and crème de menthe chips,  sea salt caramel and chocolate fudge syrups, crushed peppermint candy, and pink, white, and chocolate sprinkles.  Oldest daughter made cute snowflake stirrers to add to the festivity.  We also served a pretty pink cold punch as well.

We played two short games – trivia questions about pregnancy and babies and guessing the top 10 most popular names for baby girls in the current decade when baby will be born, the 80’s when my daughter was born, and the 50’s when baby’s grandmothers were born. 

Game prizes were usable items for winter (tube of hand lotion, lip balm, packet of hot chocolate, a glass jar candle with holiday scent, and a snowflake ornament) all dressed up in cute gift bags we decorated.

Favors were tea lights wrapped in pink tulle circles with ribbon and a tag which read:  

“Burn this tea light on the night, once the stork has made its flight. With a flicker of the flame, please say a prayer with baby’s name.”

Blessed by the generosity of family and friends while opening their presents for baby,  I think this gift of life that will join our family this winter became even more of a reality for my daughter.  But the most moving moment of all was when she opened the last gift. 

My mother, my children’s grandma, loved making handcrafts and quilted, sewed, knitted, and crocheted.  She passed away 15 years ago after a battle with cancer and of course, we miss her still especially during family gatherings.

Before Mom died, she crocheted a few baby afghans for future babies that would join our family.  I tucked my share of them away for such a day.   So I wrapped one of those lovingly made afghans in a box and added a note explaining that Grandma made this before she left us to wrap her future great-grandchild in her love.  

As soon as daughter saw that, she began to cry.  It was a sweet moment even if it was heart-wrenching and I know my daughter treasures this gift from her Grandma in heaven.

It may have been cold outside for this baby shower, but love warmed us all during the party. 

 “Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.” ~ Unknown

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