Irish Themed Baby Shower ideas

[Cinderelley]

DD is expecting a boy next February. They are going to name him Killian, so I thought I would throw an Irish themed baby shower. I'm at a loss for ideas though. Do you guys have any?

[TheVBs]

I did some googling and found out that baby showers aren't much of a thing in Ireland. I did find this:


I soon learned that many of the Irish traditions surrounding newborns were based on folklore and dealt with the Christening of the baby.

One tradition starts at the Irish wedding, with the ‘magic hanky and the Irish whiskey cake.

The ‘magic hanky’ is a charming custom which involves having the bride carry a special hanky that, with just a few stitches, could be turned into the christening bonnet for the first baby. This bonnet can then be turned back into a hanky to be handed down and once again incorporated into the child’s wedding.

See how to make a Hankerchief Baby Bonnet . Follow this link for some Hanky Bonnets with Poems .

The Irish whiskey cake , which is very rich and sweet, was traditionally thought of as a ‘fertility’ cake and was believed to help the newlyweds to quickly start a family. Irish custom held that at the end of the wedding reception, the top tier of the wedding cake was saved for the christening of their first child. The newborn’s parents serve the cake at the christening reception and sprinkle crumbs on their baby’s head as a symbolic wish for a long and prosperous life. Today this Irish tradition has been upgraded, and a bottle of Champagne is usually saved from the reception and so it can be used to ‘wet the babies head’ at the christening.

Another Irish christening custom is to give your baby its first silver coin at the christening. The new parents place the coin in the baby’s hand before the ceremony begins to ensure a prosperous future.

Are either of the parents of Irish heritage? If so, you could find out if there are any local customs - baby or not - that you can incorporate into the celebration. Or, if they're not, you could maybe look up whether or not the name Killian is regional at all and see if there are any local traditions in that area.

Sorry! It's not much! If I think of anything, or find anything else, I'll share!

[Cinderelley]

I did some googling and found out that baby showers aren't much of a thing in Ireland. I did find this:



Are either of the parents of Irish heritage? If so, you could find out if there are any local customs - baby or not - that you can incorporate into the celebration. Or, if they're not, you could maybe look up whether or not the name Killian is regional at all and see if there are any local traditions in that area.

Sorry! It's not much! If I think of anything, or find anything else, I'll share!

Thanks for looking. It seems to be a pretty hard theme to pull off.

[Donald]

Start with the food table. Have elevated cake stands or inverted bowls and cover with a bright green table cloth to represent the rolling Irish Hills. Incorporate an Irish nature scene...include red fox, hedgehog, red deer, badger. Use wood serving platters to continue a natural theme.

Think Grand Floridian tea...but make it Irish. Offer Hot and cold teas for beverages

For food I would start with a cheese board. Irish cheese selections ...obviously cheddar! If you have a Whole Foods or a specialty cheese store, I would start there for selection. Add fruit spread ( like loganberry). And Irish soda crackers

A frittata with potato and leeks would be an easy dish to prepare. I made The Food Networks Barefoot Contessa recipe...go to food network.com to get recipe. She has one that can be made in a large sheet pan to serve 20...ideal for a shower.

Look to a bakery to create cookies in your Irish woodland theme

Those are just a couple of ideas! I hope you have an amazing time creating a shower for baby Killian!

[Tink1]

As one who grew up with Irish grandparents and their siblings, baby showers were not allowed in our family. (tempting the fates)

But if I was doing an Irish theme party and looking for a hot food item to serve, it would be Colcannon. Our family makes it with cabbage and bacon and/or shredded ham so it is a complete meal, you can also make it meatless. There are as many recipes as there are cooks, but it keeps in a crock pot well and is oh, so good.



Nanc

[Cinderelley]

As one who grew up with Irish grandparents and their siblings, baby showers were not allowed in our family. (tempting the fates)

Nanc

I guess this explains the lack of Irish themes.



Thanks so much for the ideas you guys. I'll let you know how it all comes together. :)

[Tink1]

Yes, we are a superstitious bunch!


But the minute that baby is born, we all go nuts buying things and setting up the nursery before mom and baby get home. (which was far easier when they stayed 3 days LOL)


Nanc

[Cinderelley]

Yes, we are a superstitious bunch!


But the minute that baby is born, we all go nuts buying things and setting up the nursery before mom and baby get home. (which was far easier when they stayed 3 days LOL)


Nanc

I bet. I can't even imagine doing all that even if they stay for 3 days. They must have large families that pitch in to do it all.