Black and Cream Damask Dessert Shower

I know I've been promising this post for a while. I have wanted to offer you variety in my blog, so it took a while to get through the desserts and the other regular blog content. Here are the final results of my black and cream dessert baby shower. A dear friend is having a baby any moment now. She could be going into labor as I type. I offered to throw her a shower, and what better way to celebrate a new baby than with sweets? Get it?...babies are sweet. I love it when my friends offer up unique concepts for a baby shower. I have done a pink baby shower cocktail party with its own twists. My animal print Noah's Ark shower was another unique one. So, I was thrilled when the mom-to-be showed me her diaper bag and fabric choice for the nursery:

I love being give an inspiration and starting point for parties like this. I do have to say that my camera was acting funky (couldn't possibly be user error), and I didn't get all of the pictures I wanted, but I hope you will be inspired by some of the ideas.
The Food

Hand Dipped Oreo Truffles

Mini Cupcake Tiered Cake Housed with Cupcakes with a Salted Carmel Buttercream

Mini Nilla Wafter Crust Cheesecakes with Raspberry Topping

Key Lime Pie Shooters

Raspberry Cream Dessert Shooters (photo from previous shower)

Chocolate Velvet Mousse in a Chocolate Cup (Mold for chocolate cup found at cake section in a craft store. Please see my post for working with Candy Melts for guidance. If you have never worked with candy melts, I wouldn't suggest this as your first project, but it's definitely do-able.)

Chocolate Fountain with Marshmallows, Strawberries, Pound Cake and Bananas
Details from the Shower

Baby Present Bingo - Give each person a Bingo board. Let them fill in what they imagine the mother-to-be might receive at the shower. They play Bingo as gifts are opened. We allowed for a few winners. This is a great game for people that want something but don't want a too involved game. It's great because it keeps people actively engaged in the gift opening process.

Custom Water Bottles - You can purchase sticker labels for water bottles online. Make sure the purchase comes with access to their online template. It makes creating your own water bottle labels easy, and it adds a touch of class.

A Special Take-Home Gift for the Mom - I was given this at one of my first baby shower gifts. It's a keepsake they can keep in the baby's room if it matches their style and decor. Have everyone write notes of encouragement for those middle of the night feedings. I love visiting these when I was struggling as a new mom.

Let the New Mom off the Hook - The final gift at our church baby showers is to tell the mom, in front of everyone attending, that they are not allowed to write thank you notes. As they are anticipating bringing a new life into this world, it's a great burden to lift from their to-do list. I was so appreciative of this extra gift, and everyone attending the shower seems to agree and nod their approval. You may have one grumpy person in the corner annoyed. They just need to get over it.

Here's a few tips I would add for giving gifts at a shower. These are tips from my own personal experience or talking to other moms:

• Make sure you understand their style and colors when purchasing gifts. People have different styles. Your style may not be bad, but it may not match the mother's style at all. If in doubt, refrain from buying something that might be a personal preference like clothes (I know we all want to do it) and decor.
• Buy off the registry. I do know it might seem boring to buy sheets or wash cloths they have chosen, but that's what they need. They have picked it out specifically. They often can't afford to buy some of those basics. Please shop off the registry. New moms really appreciate it.
• Blankets are over done. I received so many blankets, and I see it at every shower. They're beautiful. Sometimes they are hand made. My aunt made me a beautiful one that became a staple. So did my husband's grandma. There was another that was well loved, but then I seriously was give 10 more. I felt bad if they are homemade, and I can't use them. I didn't know what to do with all the receiving blankets. You feel guilty not using all those blankets, but you also feel bad getting rid of them. Again, shopping from the registry will help with that.
• Just a personal opinion, and I'm sorry if I offend someone, but I really do believe a baby book is a really personal thing that a mom wants to pick out on her own. She may register for it. She may not, but I would let it be her choice to be on the safe side.
• Include a gift receipt. Are you dying to pick out something on your own? Make sure to include a gift receipt so that if it is not the mom's personal style, they can exchange it. Don't feel offended if you never see it on the baby. They really do appreciate the efforts.