Bonjour Bebe

In celebration of my sister Shannon’s Christmas baby, we put together a “Bonjour Bebe” French fete fit for a queen. My sister Holly, my mom, two of Shannon’s best friends (Larissa and Domini), and I made a great team. (Ilex and Ivy helped, and Drake even helped people park out in the freezing rain). It was a dark and stormy day and I didn’t get all the pictures I wanted to get, but I think I caught the essence. {grin} (A few pictures here were taken by Larissa.) We had a great turnout of over 40 people, some traveling a long distance in nasty weather!

Shannon is the queen event-planner so it was a great privilege (and challenge!) to throw her a party (in classy Shannon-style) where she could just relax and enjoy herself. After years of creating parties for others, she deserved to be the star of the show!

Details:

• White linen tablecloths with burlap runners
• French-themed children’s books and toys (French wooden blocks and memory games) on the guest tables
• White pitchers with hawthorn branches and lovely red berries (arrangements by Holly)
• Water carafes on the tables
• Personalized French-themed bookmark party favors handmade by Domini
• “Wish” papers for guests to share wishes for baby, made by Larissa
• A French-themed children’s book, Chasing Degas, used as a guest book (guests signed the inside cover)
• Burlap “Bonjour” banner made by my mom, Aunt Melody, and Grandma when my mom was down visiting
• Silver tray chalkboards made by Domini
• French children’s music playing the the background
• Vintage pram, oversized Eiffel Tower, and large chalkboard on an easel at the entrance

Menu:

• Croissants and French rolls
• Meats and cheeses (including a yummy soft cheese from France)
• Chicken salad
• Multigrain crackers
• Artichoke and spinach dip
• Sugar snap peas
• Olives
• Nutella and raspberry preserves
• Grapes
• Caprese bites (cherry tomato, fresh basil, fresh mozarella)
• Chocolate pie bites (made by Domini)
• Sour cream pastries (made by me)
• Lavender heart cookies (made by Holly and Ivy)
• Belgian chocolates
• Pirouette wafers
• Cream puffs and Madeleines
• Orchard punch and coffee

This was the invitation (with some of the personal information erased):