Question:
Hi, I've heard that I need to have a special/dressed up type of chair for the mom-to-be to sit in. Do you have any design tips or places I could go to get one? I'm not very artsy and don't have a lot of time, so something not too difficult would be great. Thanks! Also, I invited people from 1pm - 3pm, but noticed you suggested 2pm - 4pm...do you think 1-3 is bad? Should I try to change it?
Answer:
Dear Christine,
First, hosting your shower from 1pm - 3pm is absolutely fine. We chose the 2pm - 4pm time slot solely for the purpose of example. Showers are often scheduled on weekends, which makes your time slot and our example work perfectly for busy guests. Most people have errands to run and chores to do before and sometimes after showers which is why afternoon showers generally work out best.
Now on to the chair!
There is no hard and fast shower rule stating that a hostess must provide a specially decorated chair for Mom-to-Be, but it's sure a wonderful touch!
The main concern is not that the chair be "special" or fancily dressed – it's that the chair be comfortable. Where you seat Mom-to-Be and on what kind of chair is dictated by how she's doing at this point in her pregnancy. If she has back issues or is experiencing swollen feet and ankles, your seating arrangements need to take that into account. Be sure to provide her with a back pillow for extra support and a footstool (if needed) so she can elevate her feet.
The mother's comfort is the core issue, which is how the special chair concept came into being. Creative hostesses started adding flourishes to their designated "mom chair" which is the way this practice became a trend.
Once you know how Mom-to-Be is doing and where you'll place her at the shower, that's when you can go to work figuring out how to dress up the chair. The main element that dictates how you do it will be derived from:
- your shower theme;
- colors or images on your shower invitations; and/or
- colors and images on your shower decorations.
Carry the aforementioned over to the special Mom-to-Be chair. You can go as simple or fancy as your budget allows.
One idea you might try is to buy an inexpensive ottoman for use as a footstool for Mom-to-Be's chair area. Decorate it with a swath of fabric that matches the colors in your shower decorations. Wrap the ottoman as if it were a diaper and put a large pin in it. You can tie a large ribbon around the middle of the ottoman so that it looks even fancier. Do the same with the back pillow you've picked for mom-to-be to use. Wrap it like a diaper and put a pin in it.
A nice way to top off her special chair is to buy a cozy blanket in a complementary color and drape it over the back of the chair. Of course, the blanket will turn out to be another gift Mom-to-Be can take home with her after the shower!
If you go with comfort first, then let your shower colors guide you, you're bound to come up with a pleasing arrangement. If you plan to have Mom-to-Be seated near an end-table, put a matching table cloth over it and place a non-allergenic, pesticide-free flower arrangement on the table. This will create a soft, inviting look.
Candles with flowers artfully arranged are always winning combinations, too. If your special chair doesn't lend itself to decorating, you can always go with flowers and candles set on a special end table (or coffee table) that's positioned for Mom-to-Be's convenience.
When it comes to flowers, your local florist should be able to help you choose some inexpensive but elegant looking blooms for your "mommy" table arrangement.
I know you're going to have a beautiful party!
Happy Showering,
Susan "The Shower Diva"
Where Fun Reigns!™
