Throwing the Perfect Bridal Shower for Your 30 Something Friend

A blogumn by Debra Barlow

Notes from a Nest

Buffalo Bites

Two weeks ago I co-hosted a bridal shower for a dear friend.  The matron of honor organized the guest list, the food and decorations.  I offered my home.

So maybe co-host is too strong a word, but I did help! And, as before any party, my house was spotless and clutter free for about 2 hours.  And, as before any party, I vowed that it would remain that way always.  I think we know how that turned out.

The bride is in her thirties and so were the vast majority of the guests. It really got me thinking — how do you plan a shower for a thirty-something bride when so many of the typical shower traditions are based on the bride being young, naïve and lacking any kitchen appliances?

With parties I feel there are three cornerstones to making it a success:  good company, good food and lots of good wine.  And, in this case, one very strong vodka cocktail! In the post college rush to the altar that I witnessed amongst by friends, we had delicate cucumber sandwiches, frou-frou salads and tea at every shower.  We made wedding dresses out of toilet paper and twittered about the wedding night.  They were casual affairs – short, sweet and all about the gifts.

And they bore no resemblance to the shower I helped throw two weeks ago.

My friend’s shower was elegant and the gifts, while appreciated, were almost an after thought at the very end.  The decorations were simple –fresh flowers, colorful linens and lots of Martha Stewart pomanders. The food was thoughtful – featuring the bride’s favorite comfort foods classed up for the occasion like coconut shrimp, cheese and crackers and crab cakes. The matron of honor even came up with a fantastic version of Buffalo wings involving phyllo dough and muffin tins that were the hit of the party. Also featured, a cut-throat game of Bridal Jeopardy.

But make no mistake, it was a party.  It started in the late afternoon and by the time I helped get the gifts in the car and bade the bride a safe trip home, it was nearly midnight.

At the end of the evening my house was far from spotless – cluttered with phyllo crumbs, rented plates and glasses and happy memories of a party well planned.

Here’s that recipe just in case you want to throw a 30 Something bridal shower of your own:

Buffalo Chicken Bites*

1 package phyllo dough, thawed
1 bottle bleu cheese dressing
Franks Red Hot sauce
Butter
1 pound frozen, breaded chicken

Directions:

Mix red hot sauce and butter following the directions on the back of the Franks bottle for buffalo chicken wings.

Heat the chicken per package directions.  Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces and combine with hot sauce mixture.

Spray muffin pan with non-stick spray.  Place a square of phyllo dough in each slot.  Place about a teaspoon of dressing in the bottom of each one.  Then spoon the chicken mixture evenly into each slot.  Press the corners of the phyllo dough together.

Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes. They should be light golden brown.

*based on a recipe found at cdkitchen.com

**Photo Credit: Anne K. Rodriguez