The Shower Series-Planning a Baby Shower- Nautical Theme with a Twist

Last September ( boy that sounds so long ago) I flew to Saint John for a Baby Shower for Carly. Well interesting things happen when all the mom’s on all the sides plan together. Nautical has so many variations but thankfully everyones themes seemed to blend together perfectly.  We have a tradition in our family, seems all showers regardless of baby or wedding need to be celebrated in our Church Hall.  Do you do that? Are Showers community affairs?  The plus side is we are very familiar with the room/gym and know the kitchen inside out, downside it is a gym so for pretty you need to focus in.  It helps if you have even planned a school dance in the gym so you can totally relate to the concrete walls and fun floor.

Personally I love the tradition, everytime we walk in we remember all of the amazing celebrations we have already had. I had my Shower there as did Andrea ( I don’t think Casey and Paula did) We celebrated retirements, 90th Birthdays, 95th Birthdays, Funerals, Weddings.. lifes milestones celebrated in this space.  Plus hello showers on the East Coast are filled with squares, cookies and sandwiches.  Kent always laughs at this because they are not normal for him, no roast beef. You will find Egg and Tuna and canned ham, but then we have cream cheese and Cherry (pink) and green Tuna (so delicious) cheese-whiz and asparagus…. I am not sure why but I love these Shower Sandwiches.

But lets get back to decor for a bit… as soon as the date was set I started planning in my head but I also had to keep in mind I was flying so I would not have access to all of m little toys and trinkets.  I did take my steel buckets and crates because they scream nautical and I also had all intention of building little lobster traps but time got away from me.  I did pick up a few fun accessories for Carly to keep and use after.  Sea-Bass has a Nautical Room so let’s make the shower accessories practical.

I picked up a few letters at Michaels and set up a SURF and TUG display with whales, crates and mini life-preservers.  I wanted SAIL, SEA and BOAT but they letter availavility was limited ( I waited to long) I also used Blue Gummy Whales and Red Swedish Fish in the buckets

Andrea took care of all of the paper supplies and the cake ( and most of the food with Carly’s two Gram’s, it was amazing the spread they put on)  I was responsible for combining the decor and icing the cupcakes.

We set up a gift table,  poor little guy is so deprived.  It looks excessive I know but it was all our family, Carly’s Dad’s family and Joe’s family plus friends.  One shower instead of several small ones.  and a great opportunity for everyone to catch up.

I set up a prize corner, we did not play any normal shower games but instead just did the lucky cup, plate, napkin and a few random draws we promised Carly no silly games.

The food table was filled to overflowing, seriously as if Andrea, Lila and Mom had not done enough themselves, people brought food with them.  Baby showers, funeral receptions and retirement parties, an Atlantic excuse to make sandwiches and squares and eat

A fun little Thank You for coming Candy Station

 and I couldn’t resist, we were limited to plastic cloths on the tables and they were begging for a little pretty so I created some fun centerpieces, a little off nautical theme but totally baby related.

Then we had my cupcake creation. Andrea made the cupcakes ahead of time and froze them so I jusy had to frost, decorate and display. I stuck with Blue, yellow and rainbow for the forsting and then got the genius idea that all the little baby accents I had added to the tables ( bottles, pins, rocking horses) would look so much better on the cupcakes.

and all this was done in anticipation of our little Sea-Bass

celebrating his Happy three months here,

Stay tuned for my centerpiece post and the secret to Rainbow buttercream.
Linking with Creative Sparks and Sits Girls, Brilliant and Mini Family and share your cup