The onsies clung to small white handled bags and dangled from various locations throughout my home. They were on lantern hooks, the front door wreath and the bookcases in my small library. A blue laundry line traversed the expanse of my kitchen and onesies dangled from blue clothes pins painted in fluorescent and bright colors of every hue. They waved like flags saluting the joy of parenthood and inviting spectators to the event of a new life soon to enter the world. Messages and love notes from family and friends. We created wishes with our own hands for a joyful and happy babyhood.
We ended up with 50 painted onesies. They were painted by women aged from 4 years old to 79 years old. Each creation was unique. Some hilarious with clever sayings to entertain my daughter and her husband in the darkness of night and some with sweet messages conveying love and caring. Sayings that would cut through the fatigue of new parenthood, while the new parents were immersed in an endless cycle of feedings and diaper changes for the next two years. Maybe more if they continued to expand their brood.
It was a big baby shower. I wanted to gather everyone there that had been there for us over the years. And new friends too. Some of them were my daughter’s new friends through marriage or her teaching position. So here we were; laughing, painting, creating and hosting a party. The women gathered in and there definitely wasn’t enough room for us all. White rental chairs lined each wall and some of my friends had to sit in the hall. I tried to make it around to everyone for at least a small chat and was fairly successful. We reminisced and shared our favorite stories.
We had mini 7 layer bean dips with huge corn tortilla chips. Frozen grapes dipped in vanilla meltaways and rolled in slivered almonds. There was a croissant bar with chocolate humus and honied butter along with cold-cuts and cheese. Baby blue punch in glass decanters with spigots tied with sparkling blue ribbons. I had kept my head in Pinterest for months looking up recipes and baby shower concepts. They ate and told me they loved the food- they never knew I could cook like that. I had been planning, practicing and plotting for months. The preparation had been an event in itself and one of my favorite parts of the party.
Games were played, gifts opened. The time flew and before I knew it, we were picking up chairs and taking down decorations. Sweeping up glitter and pulling brightly colored tissue paper out from underneath the couches where we had stuffed the paper to make room . The onesies floated back and forth in the cool December breeze. California sunshine poured down through a cloudless and brilliant blue sky drying the new baby couture. Smiling faces and kind words floated around me. After the guests were gone, we had tea. As we sipped, we reviewed the day, the highlights, the catastrophes, the sighting of new and old friends, the joy and the fun.
Baby Shower Onesies Activity:
Needed: Dreft(to wash the Onesies, Onesies(any brand, lots of sizes), small paper bags(to be used as hangers), twine, clothespins, paint, brushes, disposable wipes or old clothes to clean up messy hands and floors, aprons(optional), disposable vinyl gloves(optional).
1.) Wash the onesies prior to painting in a baby friendly detergent so the material will shrink a bit and assume a natural shape. This ensures that when the new Mom washes them, the entertainment will go on, because the painted sayings won’t shrink or get distorted.
2.) Utilize fabric paint. Fabric paint is the only paint that will be sufficient if you want your works of art to last and the color to hold. The paint is non-toxic to baby and is easy to work with for novice artists.
3.) Buy bright and fun colors. No explanation needed for this one.
4.) Buy a multitude of inexpensive disposable brushes made of various materials; such as sponge to create unique prints.
5.) Twine and clothespins. Tie the twine and secure between two nails. Do this in an area where you can easily wipe up spills and you don’t mind if it gets sprinkled with paint.
6.) Hang a line with samples over the activity area, so guests can get inspired.
6.) Laugh, make jokes, get creative and have fun!