{ Kelcey is one of the best party throwers I know! She has some amazing ideas so we are thrilled to have her guest post for us! Hopefully we can get her to post more of her ideas in the future! -Jamie }
Our good friends (and former neighbors in London last year) H and S are having a baby girl next month! I decided on a “fiesta” theme for the shower because S’s family is from Mexico and bright colors inside are a cheery contrast with the grey winter outside.
Since H and S live about an hour away, we hosted the shower in the “common room” at their apartment complex.
FOOD
Heavy appetizers are perfect for an afternoon shower. Mini snacks in cute cups and bowls made munching easier, less messy, and fun. Since H and S are healthy eaters I did my best to make it a menu they would approve.
Shredded chicken and carne asada quesadilla bites were a big hit. To make them easy to eat on a small party plate, I used a colorful mini fork or cactus toothpick ($0.99 for 25 at Oriental Trade) in each bite.
Mini fiesta fruit salads add a tropical, sweet kick: chopped mango, papaya, kiwi, and fresh mint tossed in orange juice. (The fresh mint is the secret ingredient). I found these cute spoons and mini cups/cupcake wrappers at ShopSweetLulu.com, my favorite party accessory website. I like to get one or two cute, original items from the site to mix in with my Costco/Target finds.
Mini corn and black bean salads with basil lime vinaigrette. I love Giada’s recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/corn-and-black-bean-salad-with-basil-lime-vinaigrette-recipe/index.html
A salsa bar is essential to any fiesta… and always seems to become the center of the room when there is guacamole involved! I picked up three kinds of salsa, fresh chips, and guacamole at my favorite Mexican restaurant and filled colorful bowls. I had the bright place mats from a recent trip to Mexico and the red plastic table cover left over from Christmas. The mini maracas are from Oriental Trade, recycled from another fiesta party. For the chips in the center, I used a pink basket from the dollar bin at Target and added a few pieces of natural brown tissue paper to help absorb some of the grease from the warm, fresh chips. You could use any colorful containers you have on hand.
DRINKS
Jarritos (Mexican sodas) from Shoppers and raspberry and mandarin orange Vintage seltzer water. I love that the blue vintage cans had polka dots to match the pink polka dot paper straws and napkins.
GAMES & DECORATIONS
I placed colorful sombreros around the room on chairs, filling the dual purpose of decorations and fun party picture accessories. The boys helped me hang some fiesta bunting and pom poms before the guests arrived.
We also played two games: “Baby Shower Price Is Right” and “Guess How Many Diapers.”
For the winners, I wrapped up (clear cello and pink polka dot ribbon) cute bottles of OPI “It’s A Girl!” pink nail polish. (There was also one for H, the guest of honor). Everyone else snacked on pink “It’s A Girl!” Hershey kisses.
Since H worked at a hair salon in London, we also made hair accessories for Baby S. The girls had so much fun getting creative with glue guns, ribbon, buttons, and hair elastic. H went home with an armful of cute hair bands, bows, and clips for Baby S made with love.
Then we opened gifts. I think sometimes gift opening can drag on at showers, so the giver of each gift said something nice about “why H would be a great mom.” This gave H a little pep talk and reminded her how fantastic she is.
FAVORS: MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE CONES
Since it is still winter after all, Mexican hot chocolate was my first thought for a cold weather fiesta favor. Hot chocolate cones are an inexpensive and super easy take-home treat. Here’s what you need to make 25 hot chocolate cones:
- 50 clear cone shaped cello bags (Hobby Lobby, $1.99)
- Small, clear hair elastics
- Ribbon, twisty ties, or string– whatever best fits with your event theme
- Toppings — sprinkles, mini marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, M&Ms… anything you like! I used mini marshmallows and sprinkles.
- Hot chocolate mix
- Stickers or favor tags. I ordered personalized event stickers online, but you could also easily make your own or use a sticker.
Just fill the cone cello bags (be sure to use two bags per cone to prevent leaks) about two-thirds full with hot chocolate powder. Then add marshmallows and sprinkles. Tie off the bags with a small, clear hair elastic. Tie the ribbon over the elastic and add your sticker or favor tag. Fast, easy, cute, and delicious!
Group photo
S came by after the shower was over for a quick picture with H. We can’t wait to meet Baby Olivia!
About Kelcey Moriarty
Kelcey was a college diver who loves her family, March madness, and cooking shows. She has a weakness for Five Guys Cheeseburgers and can be found teaching church nursery lessons each Sunday morning.
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