| You have either "stepped up to the plate" or | | | | borrow or rent some. |
| been chosen to be the host of loved one's bridal | | | | For the menu selection, your choices are wide |
| shower. No need to panic! This should be a joyful | | | | open. Remember, eating is not the focus here - |
| labor of love. Keep your priorities straight and a | | | | the bride-to-be is - so don't go overboard. Three |
| firm hand on the budget and everyone, including | | | | to five appetizer choices, two or three heavier |
| you, will have a wonderful time. | | | | items, and maybe a couple of pastries besides a |
| First priority - recruit some help! There is no need | | | | cake will offer enough choices that all guests will |
| to shoulder the entire party yourself. "Many hands | | | | be satisfied. If you want to go the "extra-mile", |
| make light the work" is so true! This will help with | | | | many baking cookbooks will show you how to |
| the cost, gathering supplies, and any food | | | | make sugar-coated edible flower petals. These |
| preparation. | | | | are beautiful on a cake or on individual cupcakes. |
| There are so many great "theme" ideas for | | | | Sugar cookies cut out with flower shaped cutters |
| showers. A garden theme is one way to set the | | | | are another consideration. |
| mood for your guests and the bride-to-be. Do a | | | | Make a flower-hued fruit punch, sprinkle it some |
| little detective work and find out what the bride's | | | | edible flower petals (be sure they haven't been |
| favorite flower is and make a beautiful | | | | sprayed with anything harmful). Be sure to offer |
| centerpiece. Or simply put bunches of her favorite | | | | a very nice coffee (no cheap stuff) and some |
| into containers and set them out where your | | | | fresh brewed tea and also a pitcher of ice water. |
| guests will be entering and also on the buffet | | | | Remember, just choose a few beverages - it will |
| table. She will be so pleased at the thoughtful | | | | be simpler for everyone. If you like, a nice fruity |
| gesture. | | | | wine or some champagne would be elegant and |
| Arrange potted trees and flower pots in corners | | | | festive. |
| of the room. Include smaller pots of flowers and | | | | If you would like to have a party game to loosen |
| ivies on bookshelves, mantels, windowsills to | | | | up the guests, collect some pictures of exotic |
| expand on the garden theme. If space allows, a | | | | flowers and have guests fill out game cards to |
| cleaned-up wheelbarrow makes a delightful holding | | | | name each bloom. Start with some easy to |
| bin for the shower gifts. Tie some organza ribbon | | | | identify ones and move up to the more exotic. A |
| on the handles for a festive touch. Don't forget | | | | little garden spade or pair of floral garden gloves |
| the powder room - set a small fresh bouquet on | | | | would make a cute prize. Or play "identify the |
| the vanity. | | | | bulb" using tulip, daffodil, snowdrop, and other bulb |
| Set your serving table with pastel tablecloths, | | | | or tuberous types to get your guests testing |
| fresh flowers, and floral dishes. If you would | | | | their garden IQs. |
| rather use disposable plates, beautiful selections | | | | Seed -embedded plan-table party favors make an |
| can be found in your local stationary shops. Get | | | | ideal finishing touch to the garden shower. |
| matching napkins but I would suggest using real | | | | Whether in the form of bookmarks, note cards, |
| glassware (yours, rented, or borrowed). I have | | | | or little boxes, your guests can take them home, |
| yet to see any attractive disposable drink ware | | | | add a little water and watch them grown into |
| suitable for a shower. If you can, use nice | | | | lovely wildflowers. The favors themselves are |
| flatware (again, the plastic stuff isn't very festive). | | | | quite beautiful and one almost hates to plant |
| If you need more than you own, maybe you can | | | | them! But that will be up to your guests. |