A Ladybug Theme

A baby’s adoption is certainly worthy of a special event! It was great fun planning a shower for the mother-to-be, who will be going to China for her baby girl soon.

Ladybugs, a symbol of   good luck, especially associated with Chinese adoptions, were chosen for the day. What fun to collect ladybug items! There is even a child’s book on this subject called Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Red Thread

 

You’ll also find some  information on ladybugs and Chinese adoptions at CafePress. They have ladybug-adoption related gear for sale like this:

Photo descriptions for the shower photos:

• A ladybug story book (from The Dollar Tree) was featured on the foyer table, along with the party invitation.
• On a side table in the dining, a ladybug pillow was displayed along with the menu, which  was printed on ladybug paper. The menu was printed so mommy-to-be could have it for her scrapbook or baby book.
• On the table, a flower arrangement was made in a child’s pail. Toy ladybugs (from the Dollar Tree) creep up the trellis and on the table.
• On the other side of the centerpiece, a red butterfly net with a bamboo handle captures a toy ladybug. A green tablecloth and bamboo runner complete the garden scene.
• A ladybug screen picnic cover was placed over the lemon cookies. It is from Hamrick’s in South Carolina.
• Ladybugs grace the petit fours, sweet cakes from a local bakery.
• Ladybug fleece fabric, from Hobby Lobby, creates a garland for the mantle, also graced with pink and white flowers and a couple of big stuffed ladybugs. The ladybugs are actually bedroom slippers with the slipper portion hidden for decorating purposes.

White plates and red napkins rounded things out. There were quite a few bugs on the table so I went for plain dishes but if you are inclined for more bugs, you can find ladybug plates and cups in a lot of spots. A great spot to find ladybug dishes of all kinds is at bizrate.

The Menu

Baby Shower Menu

 Pineapple chicken salad with tea biscuits

Hummus with garden wheat crackers

 Ham and arugula wrapped melon

   Lemon-filled lemon cookie

Fresh grapes

             Cinnamon almonds, Praline almonds

 Thin mints

 Ladybug petit four

Sparkling White Grape Punch

How to Organize the Menu Preparations

 On TV, there is a show call Semi- Homemade.  Don’t panic about this menu because it so most certainly semi-homemade.  It was organized to fit the shower into a busy week.

Chicken Salad purchased from Sam’s club. To the tub of chicken salad, add 1/2 can pineapple tidbits, 1/2 cup of slivered almonds and the green of four green onions.

The hummus, garden wheat crackers, grapes and nuts are all from Sam’s Club.

To create the melon appetizer, simple cube a honey dew melon. Top each bite-size cube with an arugula leaf and a folded bite of thinly sliced lunch ham. Skewer with a toothpick. A tray of these fresh appetizers took about 10 minutes to complete. Serve with a dip of Paul Newman’s Liten Up Balsamic Vinegarette.

To create the punch, chill one bottle of white grape juice and one bottle of ginger ale. Add to the punch bowl with ice just before serving.

Anyone can organize that menu!

Menu Timeline-

• Order petit fours or cupcakes ahead. Pick them up the day before the shower.
• Set the table the day before the shower. Label each dish.
• The morning of the shower, stir in additions to chicken salad.
• Create the melon appetizer.
• Fill dishes and platters. Cover each. Place cold items in the fridge.
• A few minutes before guests arrive, place out cold food and fill the punch bowl.

It’s just that simple.

Shower Games – Click here to see the blog post with the games.