I love to host baby and wedding showers. It’s so fun to watch the bride or mother-to-be open gifts and hear the oohs and ahhs. I had the great fortune in early 2020 (before the pandemic) to host a bridal shower for my friend Gina’s then-future daughter-in-law and, this past January, a shower for the arrival of their baby boy. This time, I enlisted the daddy-to-be’s help to share Victoria’s favorite snacks and treats as a surprise. I wanted to depart from the usual finger sandwiches and petite fours and do something fun and unexpected. Once I heard what treats she liked, I had my inspiration for the invitation.
I created this custom invitation on Canva and printed it at Walgreens, and I love how it turned out!
Years ago, I bought a set of long, white platters like these at Walmart; they are my go-to for entertaining. You can use the platters for everything—cold cuts, grilled meat, vegetables, desserts, and, in my case, lots of candy! I placed the platters on top of a big butcher block to create elevation on the table.
Victoria loves Sour Patch Kids, Swedish fish, and Skittles. So, I purchased party-sized bags at Walmart and filled each platter with candies. Guests filled little treat cups I found at the Dollar(ish) Store.
And since Victoria also likes Reese’s peanut butter cups, my daughter made them into cookies! I served them on my mother’s milk glass cake plate. Here’s the link to the recipe. They are so addictive.
Click the Pic for Recipe
I kept the centerpiece simple, using my blue and white collection (especially since the baby is a boy) with flowers from Trader Joe’s. I also covered the table with a blue and white check tablecloth from Amazon.
Victoria had some savory favorites, like popcorn, pretzels, cheese, and crackers. We picked up bags of buttered, cheese, and caramel popcorn from King Korn.
Aren’t the cheese forks adorable. Someone gifted me a set, but you can find a similar set here and here on Amazon. What a fun hostess gift.
I assembled a cheese board using another of my favorite hosting items – an Etu Home round wooden cheese board. I have it hanging on a hook in my kitchen, and I use it for all kinds of purposes – breakfast bagels and cream cheese, a dessert board, and, in this case, cheese, crackers, apple slices, and a small bowl of almonds.
We had such a fun day celebrating the new parents. Baby Russell arrived safely the next month. Mom & Dad are doing well.
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
