"Ships ahoy, it's a boy" nautical baby shower
October 28, 2013
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We threw an adorable baby boy shower and loved all of the cute details.
The mama wanted a nautical theme (it matches his nursery that we’re working on – it is being done very similar to my boy’s room) so we went with that of course.
I consider myself to be a creative person, but I’m NOT one to go all out for birthday parties or showers or whatever. I don’t get all crafty and crazy. I think there’s something to be said for simple touches.
The only decorations were balloons and some tissue poofs and…food. Lots of food. :)
We had 50+ people in my house so I knew I’d need to be smart about space. I didn’t set up any extra tables – we used my sofa table for the plates and cups and all:
I didn’t go too themey with all of it – I got whale napkins and pulled the colors (navy and aqua) out of those.
So it wasn’t super traditional nautical, more baby boy nautical. ;) The colors were so cute together:
I used candy as decor (using Goodwill glass containers) too:
One of the guests who helped with the shower made these:
Get it – a lifesaver for the nautical theme? Adorable. THIS is the stuff I don’t do but I’m so glad she did. :)
I always have straws as a staple now just because they’re so cute:
The little candy cups were a Fourth of July-themed set. The blue was perfect.
We did a diaper raffle (bring a package and you’re entered to win) and bingo that attendees played while the mother-to-be opened her gifts:
It was simple and low key and easy – just the way I like it!
The prizes were these adorable art pieces her friend made:
I thought they were vinyl at first but she actually painted those on, can you believe it?
Her mom and grandma made all the food and it was good and plentiful:
Like I said, we had more than 50 people to feed! We couldn’t believe that we had some leftover at the end.
For drinks I had the staples like soda and tea, and I loved this cute nautical touch in the punch:
Fishing bobbers – how cute is that?
I made my sangria as well and it was a hit – cause it’s GOOD.
Another one of her best friends made and decorated the red velvet cupcakes:
They were SO yummy. I was tickled that they ended up matching the colors exactly.
A simple printable glued over toothpicks for each one:
We still have our old round kitchen table in the dining room/library so I went with my giant tissue poofs for above the presents:
They are easy and cheap and make a big impact – love them!
She was truly “showered” that day:
I was reminded of how loved she is – her lifelong friends were all there and so many of her college friends too. She is a good, sweet, loving soul and deserves every bit of this joy.
Of course her little brother had to help with the presents (his favorite part):
Like always, I didn’t go overboard with decor for the shower, but it was lovely all the same. I think in the age of Pinterest we think everything needs to be decorated to the hilt to entertain and it’s so not needed.
Do you enjoy entertaining? It was a little intense having that many people in our house, not gonna lie. Who knew we could fit 50 bodies in here? Most of everyone stayed in our kitchen and family room too – they didn’t really spread out into the house, so that makes it even more of a feat! (Those are not big spaces!)
And now my house is clean and decluttered and for the first time in a long time I feel ready for the holidays…bring it!
**If you're interested in any of the printable items or the invites that matched this theme you can email Courtney at courtneywalshwebdesign (at) gmail (dot) com.
I love it all. I LOVE LOVE the theme. It is just beautiful. .. HUGS
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a huge success! Congrats on the grandbaby- so exciting!!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that my favorite part about this post is that you and your stepdaughter's mom get along? My mom and stepmom were always pretty decent friends when I was growing up. Even when Dad divorced my stepmom, she and Mom remained good friends. Maybe because they had something in common, ha! Either way, it made my life so much easier that they got along!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! Yes, it makes all the difference. I didn't get along with my first stepmom and I learned a lot from that, even at a young age. I knew what not to do and her mother has always been very gracious as well. We get along great!
DeleteLove love love this theme- totally perfect!! I agree- pinterest has ruined parties. Simple is best in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations !!! Yup, your one young 'grandma' wonder what you'll let the baby call you? I would prefer to be called "MAMU (mah-moo) ,someday! Great party too!
ReplyDeleteI keep saying I'll let him decide! I don't mind grandma at all, but I figure he'll come up with his own way of saying it. :)
Deleteyes.. the grands always set the course for their term of endearment..
Deletewith my son, he chose to call my dad Poppy..
all the subsquent grands chose to call him Poppy also..
as for me, my oldest grand already had a Nana and a gramma Linda..
so not being able to say gramma Lou.. it came ouut dramma U..which is fine with me! we are known as grampa B and dramma U!
My sweet first grandson (who has a raft of grandmothers) chose to call me "Grambob" which seems just fine (How could I mind?) Funny how the first grandchild usually selects the title, unless family tradition dictates something else. I definitely recommend diaper raffles--they really make a dent in the expense of diapering that baby! (Great for a new mom at the office, too. A restaurant gift card makes a great raffle prize.)
DeleteI love everything about this. So cute! I was a "grandma" at the age of 25.... when my stepson had his first child. I now have 14 grandkids so far. We still have five kids that aren't grown and married yet. Anyway, the grandkids call me Grandarlin' ... I love it! Blessings on your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteWow you have me beat!! Love your name! :)
DeleteBig Congrats! Many sweet blessings are headed your way being a first time grandmother.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like a beautiful shower. Like you I don't do all that over the top decorating as i'm not that good at it. It's the love that counts. :)
Congrats again to all!
JaG
Beautiful decorations! And I think it would be wonderful to be a grandma at 38! I'm 38 and pregnant! I will be an old grandma. I just keep moisturizing, so maybe I won't LOOK like an old grandma!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shower! Your stepdaughter looks like she had a great time and was showered with a lot of love. You are going to be a great grandma! :)
ReplyDeleteHow adorable! I love that you didn't go overboard with the theme. Just subtle touches really make difference, and made it so special.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first grandbaby! My parents say it's the best. :)
This was just perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Uncle your son will be.
Cant wait to see the pictures.
Cute post. Adorable daughter and son. Love your son's striped sweater for the event. The last paragraph made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a wonderful sweet time Sarah! How blessed you are :) I love the diaper raffle idea. I sometimes don't like to give diapers because I think it's a boring gift, but I sure loved receiving them - I think a drawing would be a perfect incentive for me to gift diapers!!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I am a very crafty/diy type person too but I just don't do big birthday/celebration type parties. I prefer the simple touches as well. This was done in such a lovely way! By the way, I know someone who became a grandma at 33! She had her children very young and her child that provided the grandchild did too. Good to still have the energy to be able to babysit though! Oh, and I also love that you and the Mom get along. So nice to see when you hear so many step-family horror stories.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you ~ how did I miss the news? I became a Grandma right after my 38th birthday ~ my Grandma name is Zannie. Then I had another baby at 42......lol.
ReplyDeleteOH Lord...don't say that!! Ha!
DeleteLove the shower theme! Congrats on being a g-ma.
ReplyDeleteI love a pretty space, love interior design but I don't really consider myself terribly crafty nor do I love doing crafts too much, I love the sweet touches you did and I like that you didn't go crazy, it was incredibly sweet, seriously I've been to a few showers lately and it's like Pinterest threw up, there is such a thing as too much! I do love to entertain and throw a party though,my baby, Cooper, just turned one and we went all out with a super hero theme since we have always called him Super Cooper...it was a lot of work and next year we're having a simple pizza party, but I'd do it all over again, just like you said! Your step-daughter is a cutie and I can't get over how much her little brother and her look alike, especially in the eyes!! The shower looks like it was a great success!
ReplyDeleteThey both look just like their Daddy! :)
DeleteI love that you shared your feelings about keeping things beautifully simple!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a nice shower! I totally agree with you about the decor and supplies. I've seen the way over the top, crafty parties (usually with so much candy a dentist would die) but I don't have the time or money to put forth that much effort. Simple looks great!
ReplyDeleteChristine
Oh Sarah, your post came at the perfect time for me! I'm doing my daughter's baby shower at my this coming weekend! Her best friend is helping a lot with the creative stuff, and i did find a couple of easy things to do on Pinterest, but I am so excited - and will be so happy when it's over! haha! I'm nervous! I just hope it's cute enough :) I'll let you know next Monday
ReplyDeleteSo Lovely!! I am with you--I don't like things over the top "Too Cutsey Pootsie". A touch of a theme goes a long way. I am sure your step daughter was thrilled and appreciative with such a wonderful day. And your guests too. The colors were wonderful together--and you just can't go wrong with "Poofs"...
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job here! I'm not big on baby showers (I only had 1 in my life and I have 4 kids) but this definitely makes me want to help decorate someone else's :) (Especially since I'm ALL done for sure). BTW, I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks beautiful, Sarah! Such a lucky girl to be surrounded by so many loved ones. It's so wonderful how well you guys all get along. I have a step-mom and although it was hard in the beginning, I'm so thankful for the relationship we have today.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Love the theme. And, love that you decorated around his nursery theme as well. Everything looks so precious. Love the whales...so cute!!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great! I so agree that Pinterest has started this trend of everything having to be "perfectly decorated", on theme, and over the top. When all that guests will really remember is what a good time they had and the guest of honor will remember how much she felt loved! Sounds like you threw her an amazing party... she's a lucky girl to have so many good people in her life!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have a theme in moderation- sometimes it seems we focus so much on presentation to the hilt that we forget to plan for furthering relationships which are so much more important! It looks like you celebrated the gift of life- how can a party go wrong with that?!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! My stepdaughter made me a grandma at age 29! But they told me I would be called MeeMaw unless I picked a name. So I chose Mimi. I thought he would pick what he called each of us, but our grandson stuck to what we all chose. It's so much fun...enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing, but I feel really old right about now since we're about the same age. Had to pause and reassure myself I'm not the crypt keeper before finishing this. Anyway, we do entertain a lot. My mom always asks me why everything looks so good on my blog and then we make them eat off paper plates, lol. We have people over almost every weekend, especially since our pool was put in. Good conversation, food and drinks is the most important!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! I'm with ya... I can decorate a house all day long, but when it comes to cute touches at parties? I'm lost. And congrats at being a grandma at 38... I just had my third baby at 39. :) Wonder when I'll get asked if she's my grandbaby... ;)
ReplyDeleteI love baby showers! And a shower celebrating the arrival of your own grandbaby is just the best! Girl, I was a grandma at the young age of 34 but I wouldn't change it for a thing! The shower was adorable. Love it all! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Sarah! What a beautiful shower!
ReplyDeleteSarah, it looks wonderful and how great that everyone pitched in! I am expecting my first granddaughter on Friday, CAN NOT WAIT!!! I saw and adorable sign at Home Goods, it said row, row, row your boat, life is but a dream! adorable and great idea for babies room! Best wishes for you all!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! We, too, are expecting a grandson in December, but we went with more of a pirate theme (daddy is a sailor), with some nautical thrown in for the shower for my beautiful dil Sarah. We even got daddy involved a bit. We had a houseful as well, and did the same game - bingo with the gifts. Grandies are the MOST wonderful thing ever!!
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of the party. My kids are grown now but I was never one to "overdo" with decorating or goodie bags when I hosted parties. Excited for the arrival of your grandson! You will be a very young grandmother!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the grand baby! You are a wonderful person to for who you are to your stepdaughter and her mother! Not many women can be like you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great shower. Love the theme, everything looks so cute. And what a great feeling to have a clutter free and organized home so you can open it up to others. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteTwo things that really caught my attention - the diaper raffle and the bingo game. I've never heard of a diaper raffle - what a great idea. And the bingo game was gifts that she was opening. (or potentially opening) How cute. Did you all print the bingo cards or buy them?
ReplyDeleteThe punch bowl gets the gold star creative award of the day!
ReplyDeleteI love the color combination for the baby shower. Especially love the bobbers in the punch How adorable for the nautical theme!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Tailgate Queen - game day dresses
I love the idea of using candy as part of the decor, and I love the poufs. Simple really is best. I'm going to use both of these ideas the next party we have. Thanks.
ReplyDelete