A SPA-rty Mommy shower
A friend of mine recently had her third child (congrats C!!!) and felt a little uncomfortable about having a baby shower (etiquette wars are being waged on this issue even as we speak). Some say it is OK if your child is a different sex from the previous two, or there is a large gap between the second and third, or it’s just wrong, no matter what.
So, to circumvent this problem, break tradition and focus on mommy instead of the baby. Have a SPA-rty Mommy shower! The mom-to-be will be able relax with the gals and the guests will have a great time.
Get the Buzz Going
Splurge on Swarovski crystal-studded invitations by Twinklecards. Create a replica of a spa brochure or place a small candle in a clear bag labeled with shower info. Break out the supplies and create your own sleep-mask invites. Evite has several spa invites that will also help you keep track of your RSVPs.
Invite guests to bring loungewear, chocolates, spa certificates, anything luxurious or relaxing as gifts for mom.
Creating the Mood
Try to engage as many of the senses as possible. Use lots of candles, set up in clusters to decorate. If you have any water or mist fountains, set them up. Turn your place into a serene haven with soft lighting and a palette of aqua and white. Drape white or sheer material around the room. Add soothing aromatics with scented candles. Set a large blue bowl filled with water and float white rose petals and white votives in it. A beautiful buffet with potted orchids and snacks on white and blue platters, courtesy of InStyle Parties.
Play nature music in the background or make it all about the girls; try “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain, “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, and Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women”.
Have your guest indulge at stations where they make their own skin treatments like face masks and sugar scrubs. Find seasonal treatments like a papaya pumpkin mask or a lemon sugar scrub. Do an online search for homemade skin products.
Find pretty glass bottles and jars for guests to store their creations in. Small canning jars are perfect, and can be economical.
Book a massage therapist for mini massages and a manicurist to shape their nails, or even a make-up consultant for fun. Consider calling a local massage school or cosmetology facility to recommend their best students or soon-to-be graduates.
The Menu
Have delicious creamy or zesty dips for vegetables and chocolate fondue, whipped yogurt or caramel dips for the fruit. Don’t be a slave to the stove, store-bought treats can be placed on pretty platters and drizzled with chocolate or fruit syrups.
Serve non-alcoholic drinks like a tray of fruit smoothies in shot glasses, along with your signature drink, SPArty punch. Pour into a ice-filled punch bowl 4 cups chilled club soda, 1 cup chilled blue curacao, 2 cups each chilled vodka and white cranberry juice and lemon and orange slices.
Set up a goody bar of favors, such as sample size cleansers, bath beads, lip gloss, orange sticks and nail files. Let the ladies scoop their favorites into small gift bags.
