Let’s face it, baby shower cakes are cute to look at but expensive to buy. Unless you have superb baking and cake decorating skills, chance are you will have to purchase a pricy cake for your celebration. Depending on how many people are on your guest list, a small sheet cake from your local grocer might suffice. But if you want something more elaborate, or you need to feed tons of people, start thinking about alternatives to a baby shower cake.
Baby shower cupcakes - You can easily get 24 cupcakes from one box of cake mix and one package of icing. Even if you need to use two boxes of mix, you’ll still spend a lot less than buying a cake for a fancy bakery. You can buy a cupcake stand or just place your cupcakes on a serving sheet. And you can use different colored icing to match your theme. Why not use the cupcakes to make an activity for your guests? Before you guys eat them, see who can decorate them the best.
Cookie tray – Another great and cheap alternative to a fancy baby cake. Chances are, you already have almost everything you need to make cookies from scratch in your kitchen. Whatever you don’t have, you can get it for next to nothing at the supermarket. Let’s say you’re having 30 people, make an assortment of chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, and oatmeal raisin (or whatever you think your guests will like). About 60 cookies is more than enough for 30 people. Neatly arrange your cookies on a round or oval cookie tray.
Cheesecake tray – This is a good alternative if you’re only having a few people. You can find a cheesecake variety tray at any supermarket for about $10. I would suggest buying two, in case anyone wants seconds. Of course, you can use this alternative no matter how many people you’re having, but cheesecake is a bit expensive, so it’s best suited to feed only a few people.
Practically any dessert can be used as a substitute for a baby shower cake, if it is presented the right way. Make sure your main dessert is the main attraction of the food table. The three listed above are my favorite choices. With each of these options, they are easy to prepare (or cheap to buy), and you can offer a variety of choices to your guests.
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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Cool baby shower traditions
Here are a few common baby shower traditions that you can use to add a special touch to your celebration. All of these activities have been practiced for many, many years. And they are just as much fun today as they were in the past.
Don’t say baby game – This is by far the most popular baby shower game. It’s a good way to get all your guests to participate, it’s easy, and it’s fun. All you have to do is give your guests a diaper or clothes pin as they arrive for the party. Once everyone has a pin, announce that the game is starting. If someone hears someone else say the word “baby”, whoever said the word has to give up their pin! The object of the game is to acquire as many pins as possible. You will decide how long the game will last. Usually, this game is good enough to go on until the end of the celebration.
Baby shower hat – As the gifts are being unwrapped, tear off a piece of the wrapping paper from each gift. If there is a gift bag, just use a piece of the tissue paper. You can also use ribbons. Take a paper plate and tape or glue all the pieces of paper and ribbons to the plate. Punch a hole on each side of the plate and insert a piece of string. Put the hat on the guest of honor’s head and tie it around the chin. Make sure you take a picture of this, and then store the hat away as a keepsake.
Advice book or tip jar – This is another great way to get your guests involved. All they have to do is write down a small piece of advice for the new mom in a book or on pieces of paper (for the jar). She can keep this for future reference to help with those busy mommy days.
Keepsake box – You’ll want to make sure you save a little piece of absolutely everything from the shower. This includes streamers, tablecloth, tableware, favors, gift wrap, papers from any games you played, etc. Store everything in a keepsake box so that the new mom will always have it to reminisce.
Cake keepsake – Before you start cutting the cake, make sure you cut around whatever part the mom wants to keep. Usually the guest of honor wants either the baby’s name if written on the cake, or whatever graphic is on the cake. Tightly wrap the cake and freeze it. Serve the rests to yourself and your guests.
Happy planning!
Don’t say baby game – This is by far the most popular baby shower game. It’s a good way to get all your guests to participate, it’s easy, and it’s fun. All you have to do is give your guests a diaper or clothes pin as they arrive for the party. Once everyone has a pin, announce that the game is starting. If someone hears someone else say the word “baby”, whoever said the word has to give up their pin! The object of the game is to acquire as many pins as possible. You will decide how long the game will last. Usually, this game is good enough to go on until the end of the celebration.
Baby shower hat – As the gifts are being unwrapped, tear off a piece of the wrapping paper from each gift. If there is a gift bag, just use a piece of the tissue paper. You can also use ribbons. Take a paper plate and tape or glue all the pieces of paper and ribbons to the plate. Punch a hole on each side of the plate and insert a piece of string. Put the hat on the guest of honor’s head and tie it around the chin. Make sure you take a picture of this, and then store the hat away as a keepsake.
Advice book or tip jar – This is another great way to get your guests involved. All they have to do is write down a small piece of advice for the new mom in a book or on pieces of paper (for the jar). She can keep this for future reference to help with those busy mommy days.
Keepsake box – You’ll want to make sure you save a little piece of absolutely everything from the shower. This includes streamers, tablecloth, tableware, favors, gift wrap, papers from any games you played, etc. Store everything in a keepsake box so that the new mom will always have it to reminisce.
Cake keepsake – Before you start cutting the cake, make sure you cut around whatever part the mom wants to keep. Usually the guest of honor wants either the baby’s name if written on the cake, or whatever graphic is on the cake. Tightly wrap the cake and freeze it. Serve the rests to yourself and your guests.
Happy planning!
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