A Special Delivery Is On The Way: Hosting My Sister's Baby Shower
This past weekend, we celebrated my sister and her baby-to-be with a backyard baby shower that was equal parts sweet, sentimental, and pizza-filled.
If you've been following along on Instagram, you already know this wasn't a "throw it together the night before" kind of event. What looked like a few cute reels on social media was actually six days of cleaning, organizing, decorating, shopping, and checking off countless little details.
Looking back, it was absolutely worth it.
The Theme: A Special Delivery Is On The Way
We wanted something fun, playful, and a little unexpected, so we landed on a pizza-inspired baby shower theme centered around the phrase:
"A Special Delivery Is On The Way."
Red gingham linens, bright sunflowers, pizza-themed details, custom koozies, and balloon installations brought everything together while keeping the overall feel casual and welcoming.
One of my favorite design elements was the custom backdrop paired with red, white, and blush balloon garlands that created the perfect photo opportunity for guests.
The Week Before
The week leading up to the shower was a reminder that hosting is often about the work no one sees.
Day 1 started with gathering plants and flowers. Watch here
Day 2 was dedicated to clearing out and power washing our screened porch after months of winter weather and pollen buildup. Watch here
Day 3 was all about the backyard. My mom came over to help plant flowers, clean the patio, organize the kids' play area, and get everything guest-ready. We even discovered strawberries and blueberries thriving in our raised garden beds despite being largely ignored since last summer. Watch here
Day 4 involved a BJ's shopping trip, deep cleaning, and squeezing in our oldest daughter's Pre-K graduation celebration. Watch here
By Day 5, exhaustion had officially set in. Between a sick child, laundry, dishes, and balloon arch construction, I quickly realized I needed to shift my expectations and focus on smaller tasks instead of trying to tackle everything at once. Watch here
Day 6 was all about bringing everything together. We put furniture, cushions, and pillows back in place, tackled one final round of power washing, and started setting up tents, tables, and chairs. With no rain in the forecast, getting as much done as possible the day before felt like a huge win. My husband and dad handled the heavy lifting while I focused on the layout and final details. Later that evening, I finished the balloon arch- definitely not my best work, but by that point I had fully embraced the idea that done was better than perfect. Watch here
By the end of the week, our backyard looked completely different than it had just a few days earlier. More importantly, it was finally ready to welcome family and friends.
And then suddenly, it was shower day.
Party Day
The weather cooperated, the tables were set, and the backyard transformed into exactly what we had envisioned.
Guests were welcomed with:
Red gingham picnic-style tables
Sunflower centerpieces
Custom baby shower koozies
Fresh fruit
Charcuterie
Sandwiches
Snacks
Desserts
And of course, pizza
The overall goal was simple: create a relaxed environment where everyone could gather, celebrate, and spend time together.
Sometimes the best parties aren't the most elaborate. They're the ones where guests feel comfortable staying a little longer, grabbing another slice of pizza, and catching up with family and friends.
A Few Things I Learned
Hosting this shower reminded me of a few things:
Start earlier than you think you need to.
Accept help when it's offered.
Not every project has to be finished in one sitting.
Deep cleaning before guests arrive is always worth it.
The little details matter- but people remember how they felt more than they remember the decorations.
Most importantly, celebrations don't have to be perfect to be meaningful.
My Favorite Part
As much as I loved seeing the finished setup, my favorite part was spending the week preparing alongside my family.
My mom helped plant flowers and clean.
My dad helped move furniture.
My daughters helped with decorations and small projects.
The shower became more than just a party- it became a week of working together to celebrate someone we love.
And now that it's over?
I think I'm finally ready for a nap.
Until the next celebration,
Planning a shower? Inquire about Nest Collective event planning services here.
With love,
The Nest Collective
Creating beautiful, joy-filled moments for every season of life.
