Alaina Schultz: Super Solutions for Time-Challenged Hostesses
Once we hit November, we've hit critical mass. The holidays are upon us! Along with life in the fast lane (which is where most of us live these days) how do you get it together to throw a bridal shower, baby shower or a bachelorette party while playing wife, supermom, worker and friend? Check out our guest contributor Alaina Schultz's super solution for time-challenged hostesses. No one wants to skimp on style when it comes to fabulous showering. Let Alaina show you how to go elegant while the clock is ticking!
A bridal shower is a perfect way to celebrate some of the most important relationships -- and transition points -- in our lives. A bridal shower is, more than anything, a mission of love.
The trick is knowing how to throw a memorable one when you're already pulling 70-80 hour weeks just doing "life!" Here's a stylish way to do it.
Keep it simple:
If you're planning to entertain the Bride-to-Be at a small gathering of locally-based friends and family, consider hosting a weeknight "Dessert Time" Bridal Shower. No groaning, please! The reason for doing this during the week is almost self-explanatory! We women put in long days, which means our weekends turn into a 26.2K marathon of errands, housework and harried stops at the Chinese take-out or the dry cleaners. That doesn't leave much time for holiday shopping, or romantic time with our partner!
Do it after 7:00 pm and don't exceed 2 to 2-1/2 hours tops:
The way to make a bridal shower easy on yourself -- do it on a week night after 7:00 pm. Talk the logistics through with your mate well ahead of time. That way he can take the kids out to dinner (so the kitchen stays clean!) and then to a fun movie. If that isn't doable, see if he can take them over to the grandparents' home for the evening. Make sure you recruit a couple of friends to help you set up and clean up too! If you could get off work early that day, what a bonus on your time budget that would be!
It makes sense!
Since we're looking at a shower that takes place after dinnertime, it's a natural to host a dessert event. The great thing about it is the guests and the Bride-to-Be (who of late is bound to be figure conscious!) will know in advance that there will plenty of tempting goodies to sample. Make sure you get your invitations out at least 4 weeks ahead of time! That means everyone will have ample time to diet and save up calories for the big event!
To bake or not to bake:
If you're a baker and have time to cook, great! Nothing says it like homemade yummies! If not, visit your local bakery and pick up an array of absolutely sinful treats. Berry fruits with poured creme or ice cream is another great addition. Serve it sparingly as a side dish or go all out so long as you can keep the ice cream coming!
Pour it on -- coffee, tea and fun!
Don't forget your beverages. Now that we're into the winter months, hot cidar, regular and decaffeinated coffee, tea and hot chocolate are perfect picks. As your guests arrive, establish that warm and cozy tone by serving hot beverages right away. Once everyone is present, start your shower off with a fun, all-inclusive game. Games draw groups together through laughter. Everyone gets in a relaxed mood and is able to let go and focus on life outside of work or the kids I can just about guarantee they're going to need this distraction after a busy day! After your guests have had a chance to unwind, that's the perfect time to serve more beverages and the desserts while the Bride-to-Be opens her gifts.
Document it!
It helps at showers to appoint a friend who's handy with a camera to take plenty of shots of the guest of honor and the invited guests. A perfect post shower gift can be the presentation of a special photo album to the Bride-to-Be along with any "Notes of Advice" cards and dessert recipes in case you've asked all the guests to bring one of their favorites on index cards. Don't forget to snip squares of wrapping paper and pretty ribbon for the photo scrapbook too! Wrapping paper makes for beautiful photo backgrounds in bridal shower keepsake books.
By hosting an elegant dessert-and-coffee bridal shower on a weeknight, you make it easy on yourself, working wives, mothers and friends of the bride. Brides-to-Be in today's hectic world are often just as busy with career and home planning as their more settled sisters are. If the Bride-to-Be in your life has given her hearty approval for a weeknight dessert shower, you can bet your bottom dollar she, like you, understands that respect for time is often a gift in and of itself.
Best wishes and congratulations on your Showering!
Alaina Schultz is the co-owner of BridalShower.com and Baby-Shower.com, two websites geared toward helping with shower planning.
Interested in more guest contributors stories? Check out our October 2007 featured guest!
