My milspouse girlfriends celebrating Maddox.
Maybe it was how I was raised. Maybe it is just my personality (maybe both?), but I have never been a huge fan of wedding or baby showers. I’ve been told countless times, “Micah, it’s not about you. It’s about ______.” Yes, I understand that, and I am completely ecstatic to celebrate in a friend’s happiness, but those couple of hours of celebration are so long…
I’m not sure if it is any one thing specifically, but the mere detail that most showers are very traditional. Wherever the location (a house, restaurant, etc.), there is usually limited “fancy” food. Often the items are little bit sized, something or others I can’t pronounce, and if a giant veggie tray takes center stage on the food table, I’m already starting off depressed. The guests then tend to sit around and socialize with one another. I don’t mind this part, depending on how close I am with the other guests. The beautiful bride or mommy-to-be then opens her presents. Ok, this one is up for debate. If we can chit chat while she opens her gifts, I’m completely fine watching her and oohing and ahhing when appropriate. If we end up being silent, while she painstakingly opens each gift and reads each card, then I will slowly start to die inside, but my least favorite part of all…
The games! I despise them. Fill in the missing nursery rhyme. Match the celebrities to their babies. How well do you know the bride? Who can guess closest to the size of her belly? For a long time, I thought I was the only one who dreaded this part. Everyone else seemed so into it, but the more I talk about it, the more I find that others don’t care for them as well. I’m sure some still love them, and great for those fortunate ones! Honestly, I wish I was more like you. I’m just not. So for me, I knew my baby shower couldn’t be completely traditional.
When I got married, I didn’t even want a shower, fearful of it falling into the traditional category, but my husband insisted. We ended up having a couples’ shower during the Florida vs. Florida State football game. The shower was football/tailgate themed. Guests wore their team colors, and the food was phenomenal. We opened gifts in a very casual way. Our 40 guests moved about and chatted with one another, and the only game we had was the one on TV! Also, there were drinks-lots of drinks! It was perfect for me!
However, a baby shower is a bit different. It would be just the girls, but I am very fortunate to have close friends who offered to throw it and are not exactly traditional either. It ended up being wonderful!
It took place at one of my hostess’ beach house in Fripp Island-a tightly gated community. It was brunch styled and the food suited that well-no veggie tray! The brunch started off with lots of mimosas (8 Champagne bottles worth), and just as I suspected, they were completely gone within 2 hours. A friend of mine who lives in another state said to me, “I don’t think I would want drinking at my baby shower. I wouldn’t be able to drink, so I don’t want others drinking.” My response, “Why!?!” I want people to have a good time, and seeing others happy and socializing is wonderful! I didn’t have a desire to drink.
Socializing and enjoying one another.
The music was blasting through the house, and people were moving about meeting others and catching up with friends. When I opened presents, the music remained loud, the guests continued talking, and drinks continued pouring. There was nothing awkward about it.
The best part? No games! In addition, two guests mentioned they would usually skip showers, but they had heard that I didn’t want games, so they decided to come!
The shower lasted about 3 hours and a few of the girls stayed to hang out by the pool afterward. I had several guests tell me it, as well as the hostesses, that it was the best baby shower they had ever attended. I could not have asked for a better baby shower.
Again, I am not trying to criticize those that love tradition. Quite honestly, I feel I am in the minority, but to simply acknowledge that not everyone is the same. I love things that are different and fun. My style may not be the same as yours, but take my advice, Mimosas help!
Results of Mimosas. Lots of Mimosas.