Plan the perfect summer shower
April is not the only month that will be full of rain this year! As the weather heats up, so will your social life. Couples are always getting married and having babies, and chances are you or at least one of your friends or family members are throwing a summer party. To complete the theme, be sure to include these necessities for a wedding/wedding, couples, or baby shower.
Decorations:
The two most popular themes for summer parties are the beach and the luau. Go crazy with flip flops, seashells and sand, or bring out grass skirts, tiki torches and flower leis. Take a look at the location where you’ll be hosting your event and start planning from there. If it’s a backyard barbecue, you can decorate with hanging lanterns, twinkle lights for a night party, and sparkly outdoor bedding and cutlery. If your event will be indoors, focus your decorations on flowers (real or fake) and themed party favors. They look great on the table and on your guests!
Invite:
A wide variety of invitations are available for all occasions. There are endless beach, tropical, and luau themed options, as well as a variety of couples and baby shower options. Spend some time searching, because there’s a good chance you’ll find an invitation for your specific event with your specific theme! Most invitations are available blank or personalized, so whether you prefer to do it yourself or delegate the task to someone else, you’ll be covered.
gifts:
Gifts for a summer shower can be practical and fun at the same time. Expecting moms-to-be will love you for the light summer dresses and matching pair of comfy flip-flops you give them. Help that special woman stay cool and comfortable during the hottest and most uncomfortable months of her pregnancy. Cute bikinis and sandals are a fun way to shower a bride-to-be. Engaged couples will also love the new home necessities for the great outdoors. Instead of traditional kitchen linens and utensils, change them up and provide modern picnic cutlery, garden linens, grill accessories and outdoor decorations. Don’t forget the sunbathing bowls and poolside margaritas!
Food and drinks:
Plan your menu first and foremost around the couple you’re showering. Whether they love roast pork, barbecue or fried fish, plan to cook the dishes they enjoy most on a hot summer day. Include frozen drinks to keep everyone cool and lots of ice in the coolers. For baby showers, create some unique tropical or fruity soft drinks by taking a beloved classic and adding a twist. (Add some pomegranate juice to your lemonade, or give your virgin pina coladas a hint of mint and coconut!) Also, don’t forget to give your vegetarian and vegan friends plenty of options! A fresh plate of fresh vegetables will please everyone, and adding veggie burgers, grilled vegetables, and various salads (pasta, fruit, etc.) to your menu will be something all of your guests will thoroughly enjoy.
party favors:
Send each guest with something small to thank them for making their favorite friends’ showers perfect. Pretty wine stoppers, candles, mini paper lanterns and paper fans are nice additions to your tables and will impress your guests. Send each guest out with a mini bucket and shovel or a hollowed-out coconut shell filled with simple treats, seashells, individual bottles of sunscreen, and a little slice of summer fun.
Games:
Every shower is different, and each honoree will have a different idea of what kind of games they want to play in their shower. Some will have to do with traditional wedding or baby shower games, while others may want a more relaxed and social atmosphere. When choosing activities for your party, think about the number of guests you’ll have and the number of supplies you’ll need. If you choose a game that requires writing or drawing, make sure you have enough markers for everyone! Remember, if you have a diverse crowd that won’t really know the other guests, conversation games are also a great way to break the ice!
Help:
Showers are a great way to start a couple off right with the necessities of their life together or the new life they are bringing into the world. However, the host is often the one who needs the most help to make sure everything goes smoothly. Don’t forget to offer an extra hand to clean up, organize, or make sure everyone’s drink is complete. You don’t have to be the one organizing the party to make sure everything runs smoothly. Please contribute however you can, because even the smallest job can go a long way.
Rule number one: have fun! And don’t forget to have plenty of water, ice, and shade available!