A Different Kind of Baby Shower

{http://www.frameyourday.cceasy.com}

I was interviewing for a job at a local hospital last week {for a major donor and stewardship position in the development department}. During our conversation, one of the team members asked me what kind of things I would do to engage new major donors. {New major donors are those in their late 30's and early 40's who are starting to make donations of $1,000 more a year and may have the potential to grow into larger donors over time.}

One idea I presented was to ask these donors to host a "Baby Shower". Just like a "House Party," the host would open their home and invite friends and family to learn more about the hospital and to make a contribution. This particular hospital is in the process of raising funds to build a new, state-of-the-art birthing center, so this seems like a perfect match!

{Invitations} The Hospital and Hostess would work together to create a guest list and create an invitation. Because this could be a series of "Baby Showers", it would be a smart idea to work with a graphic designer to create an invitation that could be personalized for the hospital and printed in bulk. Then, for each party, we could hand write {or run through the printer} the specifics for the party.

{Games} Instead of playing your typical games {which I like}, you can play trivia games with facts about the hospital, the birthing center, and how many people will be helped by the program. It would be at this time that the hostess would make her gift to the hospital and ask her guests to do the same. I also think it would be important to have an OBGYN Doctor and/or other hospital staff present in order to answer any questions that may arise.

{Cake} THE BEST PART! I think it would be important to engage a local bakery to donate a cake for the party. As the centerpiece of the celebration, you really need something that will stand out.

{Baby "Gifts"} The hostess should ask guests to bring a small gift to be included in a layette that will be given to new mothers after they have given birth at the hospital. Gift ideas might include onesies, bibs, socks, hats, sleeping gowns, receiving blankets, baby lotion, baby shampoo, and diapers.

{Hostess Presents} I love this part of the party too! There are lots of cute ideas out there, but here is one that the hospital could have volunteers make in bulk.

~~} Baby Food Jars Filled With a Trio of Hand Lotion, Facial Moisturizer, and Bath Salts. To keep the theme of the party, I would have the graphic designer create a custom label that matches the invitations and can be placed on each jar.

Here are some images that I think would make a lovely party!

{http://stores.thencomesababy.com}



{http://funandsassydesigns.com/}


{blog.pinkcakebox.com}


{http://icingandink.wordpress.com/}



{http://mamamousse.com/gal-cakes-baby.htm}


{http://www.flickr.com/photos/graciescakes/}

Happy Sweet 13!

My daughter turned 13 last week so I planned a sweet party to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Right now, Erinn's favorite color is pink {nail polish, clothes, headbands ~ everything is pink!} so I used that as our main color theme. I paired that with a bright lime green and a clean white.

Next, I planned out and made all of the decorations for the party. I found a fun ~ and easy~ pom pom project on the MS website and made large and small pom poms with tissue paper and floral wire. I can't believe how simple this was. You just stack 8 sheets of tissue paper together, fold them accordian style, tie a 18" piece of floral wire around the middle, and then pull the layers apart. {I also trimmed the ends before pulling apart to make them more flower like}

I also wrapped a few cheap pails that I picked up at Target for $1 each in some cute fabric and ribbon and filled them with flowers that matched the pom poms. I found this project here and absolutely fell in love with the simplicity & beauty of it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any mason jars or vintage hankies laying around the house. Luckily, I am good at improvising! I found small pails in the $1 section at Target and some fabric remnants {in pink & green} at the local craft store. The entire project cost me just $5 and everyone loved it!

And finally, I made a "Happy Birthday" Banner that we hung in the living room {notice the pink and green theme again}. I found some paper designs on the internet and added the letters in publisher. I think they turned out great!

Erinn is developing into a fantastic cook and so she was in charge of making dinner. I know, who wants to cook dinner on your birthday. But when you are 13, it is fun!! Erinn made her world famous {or maybe just family famous} Stuffed Pasta Shells and Caesar Salad. DELICIOUS!!

In addition to decorations, I made a variety of cupcakes for our "cupcake bar" {I did a "candy bar" for Connor's birthday and wanted to do something similar but different}! I made lemon chiffon cupcakes with lemon curd buttercream frosting, margarita cupcakes with lime buttercream frosting, and "the best" chocolate cupcakes that need no frosting.

And they ALL disappeared!!!

Family came over for dinner to celebrate the big 13. {my dad, step-mom, brother, and aunt came ~ declan's brother and fiance were there as well. everyone else called to wish Erinn a Happy Birthday!}

Everyone raved about the dinner and couldn't believe how good it was! It was a great party!

Look for my next post. In a continuing celebration, I am taking Erinn out for a day of beauty tomorrow {thank goodness for gift certificates!}

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERINN!