Sweet Pea Baby Shower

Date: Saturday, February 12, 2011
Location: Mom to Be's House, Toronto, On
Guests: 20
Budget: low
Special considerations: vegetarian, vegan, nut free and as eco-friendly as possible.

Menu:

• veggies and hummus
• crackers and cheese platter
• guacamole and whole wheat tortilla chips
• vegetarian quiche
• endamame
• vanilla and raspberry cupcakes with vanilla butter cream icing (not vegan)

Games and Activities:

Guess the baby food flavour: To play this game, all you need are a few jars of baby food in different flavours that look the same, some spoons, pencils and paper. For example, we had sweet potato, corn, peach, and apple/strawberry. I took the labels off the jars, but taped them to the bottom so I could tell them apart and numbered the lids 1 through 4. All of them are orange, and it's really hard to tell which is which. Guests tasted each jar and tried to guess what flavour they were. People had a really hard time with the peach and the apple/strawberry. The winner missed the apple/strawberry but got the rest.


Guess the nursery rhyme: For this game, read out one line from a common nursery rhyme, such as "hickory dickory dock" and have the guests guest the title of the rhyme. It's harder than you think.

How well do we know mommy? For this game, guests had to select characteristics the baby would have, for example hair colour or eye colour, but the trick was to guess what Mom-to-be would answer herself. The guest who had the most answers that matched Mom-to-be's form won. I played this game, and I actually won! Kind of funny really.

What was one thing your mom did for you, that really helped you blossom? This is sort of an advice question-guests wrote down their answers for Mom-to-be to read later. Collect them all and paste into a memory or guestbook.

Finger print tree guestbook: for this activity I painted a tree with watercolour on paper. I painted the design free hand, but if you google you can find lots of tree images you can copy and print out. The image I designed is small, about 9 by 11 inches. For alot of people, I would recommend a much larger design with lots of branches.

I found some "washable" ink at the craft store. The package claims it washes off easily, but we found out the hard way it stained a bit. Have the guests dip a finger or thumb into the ink and stamp their fingerprint onto the branches of the tree so it appears to be leaves. Sign your name near your print. It looks really cool with alot of prints.

For some reason-not everyone did one. Either they forgot or didn't want a green finger all day. I suggested Mom-to-be keep the supplies and have her family member and visitors add their prints to add to the design. Then frame and hang in the baby's room as artwork.

Decorations:

When I started sourcing the decorations for this party, I had a really hard time finding baby shower things in green. Everything is pink, blue, or yellow. When I started planning, it was unknown if baby was male or female, but shortly after Mom-to-be told me baby was a boy. So I was able to add some blue in with the greens. Since I couldn't find what I wanted in stores, I made a mobile, a sweet pea banner, a garland and felt pea name tags. The details of each project will be posted separately shortly. I did buy a balloon bouquet from party packagers, and it just so happened Mom-to-be was invited to a baby shower the very next day, so she was able to re-use the balloons. I was lucky in that the location was already so lovely and well decorated that I didn't really have to add much. Lots of amazing artwork and a neural colour scheme. The greens really popped and looked great.

Details for the projects to come!

Valentine's Day Bingo

Image: http://karenswhimsy.com

I decided we need a little cheering up around the office this month. I wanted to play a game-something easy, cheap, fast and fun. I decided to organize Valentine's Day themed bingo. I found a site that already had the templates for the cards, and a call list. Here is the link. There are 8 unique cards, and I printed a few of each. I am hoping to sell about 25-30 ( but hopefully more).

Easy for me, all I had to do was print out the cards onto card stock. I couldn't find red or pink card stock anywhere in the usual stores. I didn't want to invest too much time or money and I had some cream coloured stock on hand, so I used that. Two cards print out per page. I cut them apart with a paper cutter.

I decided to sell the cards for $2, and donate the proceeds to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. To make it a bit more challenging, I shaded a pattern onto each card that (sort of) forms a heart shape, rather than the traditional straight line pattern.

How it works: I am selling the bingo cards this week. Starting February 7th, I will email out the call words to those who purchased a card. They circle the shaded words, and the first one to collect all their words sends me an email with the subject line bingo. This way it is easy for me to track who was first. I have a small prize for the winner. I just starting selling the cards, and am getting a good response so far. Most people have purchased more than one.

Of course, you can use the cards to have a traditional bingo game if you happen to be hosting or going to a Valentine's Day event.

New Feature: Ask Me a Question

Planning an event? Have a question? Add your questions to the comment field-I'll answer them on this site. Let's start a conversation. I'm always looking for new ideas and resources. I'll bet you guys are too.
Only serious questions, please.

Re-post: Hosting a children's party in a small space

Image: http://www.ohdeedoh.com

Take a look at this Good Question featured at Ohdeedoh. Readers have posted alot of great suggestions on how to plan a kid's party in a small house. My favorite tip is one reader's suggestion to invite as many friends as the child is old. So, in this case a four year old can invite four friends. I know this is not for everyone-many a kid's party includes the entire class but if you are looking for way to keep the party under control-in budget, scale and craziness then this is a smart way to go.


http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/good-questions/hosting-a-kids-party-in-a-small-home-good-questions-137574

Friday Night Dinners (FND)

Image: freedigitalphotos.net

Several months ago we started up what we call Friday Night Dinners-FND for short. Every Friday we get together with our close friends (besties-really) and take turns hosting. Three of us work near each other and work the same hours, so we go the grocery store to pick up ingredients and start dinner. The ones who work later do the dishes. We try out different themes-such as Greek, Italian, India, Vietnamese. Sometimes we don't feel like cooking and we order takeout.

At first, I was hesitant to host dinner parties on a Friday worried that I wouldn't have time to clean the house and get everything ready. But it's worked out really well. I just tidy up Thursday night and don't stress. As long as the bathroom is clean and the living room/dining room is tidy-who cares about the rest. By now, these friends are close enough we don't really care anyway. Nice to have those kinds of friends. The best part about FND is that it gives us a chance to de-stress after a busy week, and it sure makes the weekend seem longer. We keep it casual and fun. Sometimes we watch a movie, play a game or go for a walk. Sometimes we just sit and talk. Whatever we feel like doing. We keep it casual.

For me, the added bonus is the incentive to try out new foods. I am a terribly picky eater, and this way I can test new recipes and cuisines.

By the way, if you are wondering-tonight's theme is Mexican.

Pingg-Digital Invites and Cards

Images: pingg.com

I recently came across Pingg-artist created invitations, e-cards, announcements and more. I love 'em. The cards run the gambit from the off-beat and quirky, cute and cuddly to elegant. Fabulous designs-for free! You can send them with or without rsvps, and can search the site by keyword.

Check them out here.

Week-end Spa Getaway

This past weekend, husband and I stole away to the spa for the weekend. The Mariott Niagara Falls Fallsview & Spa. We splurged on a king bed, jacuzzi tub, fireplace and a view of the falls. It was well worth it! Friday night we watched the fireworks over the falls from our room, we had the perfect view. The spa, Serenity Spa by the Falls, was located within the hotel on the lower lobby. We specifically wanted a hotel with a spa onsite so we wouldn 't have to travel far. Good choice too-the weather was nasty on Saturday, but we were perfectly cosy enjoying our treatments.

The view-complete with rainbow

The jacuzzi-made for two


The fireplace


The Bed-don't you want to dive in?

I have never been the spa, and have always wanted to. I am glad I finally went for it (with much prodding by husband to enjoy it and forget about the cost). Friday we indulged in the Escape to Fiji couples retreat-one hour massage each, followed by 1/2 hour hydrotherapy. The hydrotherapy room was amazing. Great big tub, a fireplace and candles. We were served a fruit parfait to enjoy while soaking. Sadly I don't have any pictures, couldn't really bring the camera into the spa with me. The staff at the spa were wonderful and the atmosphere was great. The lounge area had complimentary water and teas. The locker room had both a sauna and a steam room. Robes and slippers were provided, and were able to wear them back to our room and keep them for the duration of our stay.

Saturday morning we treated ourselves to the Moor Mud Wrap and a facial. Husband loved the facial, but I have sensitive skin and I found it too rough for me. The wrap was excellent-a full body exfoliation, followed by the mud application. Next, I was wrapped in a warm cocoon. Followed by a hot shower to remove the mud. Then a massage with coconut and honey cream. Fantastic!

I recommend the spa to anyone, but I know it can be a bit pricey. Here are some tips to get the most for your money.

• Winter off season so deals are available, and it's the best time to go!
  
• Try different travel websites, the prices can vary
  
• Look for package deals
• Ask about freebies and extras, such as the fruit parfait we had
• Book treatments that offer a full body multi-treatment-such as the mud wrap
• If you have a jacuzzi in your room- skip hydrotherapy, it's basically the same thing
• Look for coupons, Niagara is full of them. Ask at the hotel desk, online, or pick them up at common tourist sites. You'll find deals on dining and entertainment
  
• Skip the room service-it's too pricey. Local take out places will usually deliver to hotels
  

The spa is perfect for romantic getaways, mother-daughters, sisters, best friends or bachelorette. Guys-don't be shy. The spa told me 30% off their clients are men. Men need the pampering too!