My husband and I decided to host our own baby shower. Traditional baby showers are usually meant for just the mom-to-be and all her close female friends, but we wanted to include both sides of friends, male and female.
Location
We decided to host it in the Rec Center of our HOA community. Our HOA community is brand new, and all the facilities look really modern and nice. There were a couple of different areas that were available to rent out, some indoor and outdoor. We opted for an outdoor space that had a mini bbq kitchen area with a bar, and dining area. The total cost of renting this space was $175. Super affordable, but then again, we do pay monthly HOA fees.
Theme
During the duration of our pregnancy, we decided to nickname our baby “dumpling” – which was both foods that my husband and I enjoyed, and dumplings are just the cutest little foods that are oh so tasty. My cousin helped me put together the e-invitation, and she asked if I had a theme, and she found the cutest little dumpling themed invitation.
Decor
I wanted to incorporate a little bit of dumpling decor but not too much. I also wanted to keep it classic and add floral touches. So the decor I used to add dumpling touches were the welcome sign, I used a template I found on Etsy, and added a basic outline image of a dumpling. I also bought these mini bamboo steamers and placed them all around the tables. I got a large pair of chopsticks and I had a stuffed dumpling plush that I bought a few years ago so I paired those together and that was sitting on the dessert table. I purchased a bunch of flowers from Costco and also a few specialty ones from the farmers market and decided to make my own centerpiece and then I bought a bunch of little bud vases and added a few flowers to all the small vases.
+ Tapestry Welcome Banner – I customized it so that it read welcome Baby [last name] can’t wait to meet you!
+ Welcome Sign – bought this template on Etsy, and printed it at FedEx
+ Bamboo Steamers – the cutest little bamboo steamers for decor, also worked as a party favor
+ Pair of large chopsticks – my parents purchased one for me, I think they got it at Chinatown
+ Mini dumpling plush – purchased from Etsy for my dog, never let her play with it because she’ll tear it apart
+ Flowers – purchased flowers from Costco, Trader Joe’s, and San Ramon Farmers Market, picked mostly white, and pink florals
+ Baby Onesies – got premie sized wrapover onesies from H&M
Food and Drink
+ Chinese Party Tray (Chicken Wings and Chow Mein) – got two large party trays, chicken wings were really good!
+ Dim Sum (shrimp dumpling, and steamed pork buns) – dim sum was purchased by my parents, who picked it up in Chinatown
+ Boba – we went with Happy Lemon because it was nearby and also the most affordable. Boba is really expensive these days!
+ Dumpling Cake + Cupcakes – got a custom dumpling cake and flower cookies from a local baker
+ Mini Cupcakes – I ordered two flavors: Butter Cup and a seasonal flavor Strawberries & Cream
+ Macarons – these were also local, got the sesame and earl grey flavor
+ Cookies Afarjoles – these were from a vendor I found at the Farmers Market
+ Dumpling Shaped Sugar Cookies – I made these myself!
+ Donuts – ordered mini donuts and a few specialty ones
+ Mini sesame balls – my parents made them, and they were the perfect decor to add to the mini bamboo steamers
