STOCK THE KITCHEN
Even if the bride doesn’t cook – she can barely make a bowl of cereal! – a “stock the kitchen” shower is always a good choice. This party is all about cooking and food so encourage guests to bring a gift that can be used in the kitchen. You never know… all the pots, pans and gadgets may inspire her to crack open a cookbook and turn on the stove.
DECOR
Flowers
Blooming flowers are always a good choice for a shower. Gorgeous blooms add instant beauty as a centerpiece or other table decoration.
Since this is a stock the kitchen shower, potted herbs are also an excellent idea for centerpieces. After the shower, the bride can take home the herbs as a gift or the shower guests could each receive a pot as a favor.
Favors
It’s a great idea to use favors that can double as decoration. You’ll spend less money on decor and your favors will help reinforce the theme of the shower. So again, with the kitchen theme, you could use potted herbs as favors/centerpieces.
FOOD
A nice, light meal is always appropriate for a shower menu. This ensures your guests won’t be too stuffed to enjoy any games or gift unwrapping after lunch!
A brunch typically begins around 11am or noon and gets its name from the “BR” in breakfast and the “UNCH” in lunch. It’s a meal that takes the place of a separate breakfast or lunch and is usually held in late morning or early afternoon.
A luncheon is a more formal lunch and begins at noon or 1pm.
Menu
Drinks
Orange Juice
Lemonade
Mimosa (orange juice & champagne)
Bloody Mary (Major Peters' brand recipe)
Soda/Soft Drink/Pop
Appetizer
Nancy's petite quiches
crudites (croo-di-TAYZ), which are raw veggies and dip
Main
Pasta salad
Fruit
Chicken poppyseed casserole
Dessert
Cake
GAMES (optional)
If you choose, an easy game could be “guess the herb.” Pluck a few leaves from each of the herb pots and let the “contestants” smell the herb. The one who gets the most correct answer wins a prize.
TUNES
Since cooking can be a passionate endeavor, fun, upbeat tunes will keep the party rolling.
Albums
“It’s Time” by Michael Buble
“Tuesday Night Music Club” by Sheryl Crow
NICE TOUCH
Encourage guests to bring along their favorite homemade recipes. Include a few, blank recipe cards with the invitation. Compile all the cards into a recipe book or place in recipe box for the bride.
POSSIBLE INVITATION WORDING
For a bride who doesn’t cook much...
(Bride’s first name) is tying the knot
But her cooking skills aren’t so hot.
Bring a gift that slices, serves, preps or peels
And before long, she’ll make delicious meals!
Join us for a stock the kitchen shower honoring
(Bride’s first & last name)
April 20, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
(Location)
Hosted by:
XXXX
XXXX*
RSVP by (date) to *555-555-1212