When we moved to the north Denver one of the things I struggled with initially was the sheer amount of chain restaurants that surround us. As the small businesses and restaurants have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 social distancing measures I started keeping a list of the locally owned restaurants that I want to make sure to support with my takeout or delivery order.
I tried looking for a North Denver specific list but wasn’t having much luck so I created one of my own!
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Bread has become a hot ticket item as social distancing measure start to take full effect. Instead of lining up at the store in the wee hours of the morning, flip on your oven and try your hand at baking homemade bread.
Once you see how easy homemade bread can be to make at home you may never pick up the pre-sliced store brand again!
We are all feeling the strain of the last few weeks and the ongoing recommendations to avoid social gatherings like baby showers is putting a real damper on what is supposed to be a fun event. A few years ago I attended a virtual baby shower for friends who had to move out of state. It was a great way to still connect and celebrate their new addition, without anyone having to travel.
Whether social distancing remains in effect or if you just have friends who live to far away for a party, a virtual baby shower can be a ton of fun!
Tips for Hosting a Virtual Baby Shower
Decide on a format for your party. The party I attended was one on one sessions with the couple using Skype or Facetime. If you wanted to do a big group video party Zoom is a great free option that allows up to 100 participants at one time.
Group Virtual Baby Shower
When planning a group video shower everyone will sign into a shared conferencing app, similar to a video chat for business. Skype limits free conference calls to 10 participants but Zoom is a great free option for up to 100 attendees! If you are planning to use Zoom, block your party into a 40 min time slot to take advantage of the free feature set. For longer parties Zoom has an option starting at $14.99 per month.
Schedule the party time and set up the conference call with your selected software. You’ll receive a link to send out to all of the attendees. Ask everyone to download the software before the party and do a test on their computer or phone to make sure that they can log in. Older computers might not be as video conferencing ‘friendly’.
On the day of the party encourage everyone to turn on their video camera’s so it feels like you are all in a room celebrating together!
A group virtual baby shower allows you to play games similar to what you might experience in a face-to-face shower.
With a group shower, plan out the schedule ahead of time and work to stick to it throughout the event. Your job as host is to ‘mc’ the event! Let everyone know when its time to go to the next activity.
Sample virtual baby shower schedule
- Introductions: Allow everyone time to login. Once you feel like most participants have joined ask everyone to introduce themselves and share their favorite memory with the guest of honor.
- Play a game: Just because you aren’t together in person doesn’t mean you can’t play a cheesy party game! A few game ideas are outlined later in this post.
- Open presents: Ask everyone to mail their presents to the guest of honor ahead of time. You’ll instruct her not to open anything before the shower and you can all enjoy watching her open the gifts together.
- Enjoy a snack: Encourage everyone to prepare their favorite party snack to enjoy at the end of the party. You’ll ask everyone to share what treat the ‘brought’ to the party. My favorite easy dessert is Apricot Jam shortbread bars.
- Say goodbye: Thank everyone for attending and sign off!
One on One Virtual Baby Shower
Set a time frame for the virtual party planning 30 minute ‘sessions’ per guest. Create a schedule using Google Sheets so it’s easy for everyone invited to sign up for their individual time slot.
Communicate how attendees are to connect with the guest of honor. It’s easier if you pick one solution that everyone can use. Skype, Facetime, Facebook Portal or even WhatsApp all work. If you have any folks who are older and not as used to video chatting set up a run through with him before the party to ensure that they can connect during their scheduled time.
When planning a one-on-one virtual party it’s fun to be able to connect and catch up in addition to celebrating their new baby!
A few days before the party send out individual reminders to all guests confirming that they know what time they are scheduled for and answering any questions you can ahead of time. This will make things run smoother for everyone involved.
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Send invitations
An online party is still a party and who doesn’t love getting fun mail. My favorite baby shower invites come from Sara Luke Creative. With the option to print and mail or receive a customized graphic to use via email, you’ll still be able to have beautiful invites!
If you plan to use a service like Zoom to ‘host’ the party you can insert your invite directly into the electronic meeting invitation.
Make sure to outline how you want folks to attend and any instructions they need to know before the party, like things needed for games or where to send the gifts. If you are using a conferencing link, include it on the invitation so it’s easy for folks to find the day of the party.
Prepare virtual baby shower games
If you are planning for a group virtual party a game is a great way to break up the time. I’ve translated instructions for a couple of my favorite parties into a virtual gathering.
Guess the Baby
- Ask the guest of honor to provide baby and childhood photos ahead of the event.
- Use PowerPoint or Google Slides to place one photo per slide.
- During the party, present to the group using whatever conferencing tool you’ve selected. On some, this is a ‘share my screen’ functionality.
- Have attendees guess out loud who they think the photo is of. Keep track of who has the most correct guesses and reward them with a virtual prize! You can plan to send a small gift direct from etsy or shoot off a $5 Starbucks card after the event.
Name that Song
- Prepare a playlist of songs that have the word baby in the title.
- Play 10-15 seconds of each song and ask guests to write down their answers.
- Read the answers allowed and ask who had the most correct. Send a small prize to the winner!
While the thought of quickly switching over to a virtual baby shower might be overwhelming, it’s important to consider the health of the new mom and family members during this turbulent time. Using free conferencing tools can make it fun to still get together and celebrate no matter the situation!
Have you ever attended a virtual baby shower? What ideas do you have for making a remote ‘party’ fun?
[mv_create key=”4″ type=”diy” title=”How to Host a Virtual Baby Shower” thumbnail=”http://rockymtnbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/woman-looking-at-laptop-1467277.jpg”]10 Gifts for a Virtual Baby Shower
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A month into the new year and it already feels like there hasn’t been a minute to catch a breath. Between Drew working extra shifts and me putting together a few TV segments the month of January has truly been crazy.
Cue the need for a Spa Day.
The Gaylord Rockies opened up just over a year ago and when they reached out to share their upcoming Valentine’s Day Spa specials I was excited to go check it out. When life is as busy as it’s been lately, taking a mini-vacation is the perfect way to reconnect.
One of my favorite things to do as a couple is heading out to the spa. What’s hard is finding a place that offers both a relaxing setting and allows us to spend time together. For couples looking for a spa outing Relâche Spa at the Gaylord Rockies is the perfect solution.
You check in at the front desk and attendants will take you back to the individual men’s and women’s locker rooms. Here you receive a private locker with a robe and sandals. Both sides feature the same amenities, including a eucalyptus steam room and a Rocky Mountain Rain Shower to cool off after enjoying the steam. If you’ve ever put your toe in a mountain stream you know exactly what you expect from the Rain Shower.
Before heading off to your treatment you can meet back up with your spouse in the co-ed Alpenglow Fireside Lounge. This is a sitting room everyone wishes they had in their house.
A massive fireplace greets you and comfortable seating provides plenty of space to relax together. Screened off chaise lounges provide private areas for you to enjoy the time as if you are the only ones in the room or you can enjoy the cushy group seating in front of the fire. Ice cold pitchers of cranberry and elderberry infused water are the perfect beverage to sip on while waiting for your treatment. There are even colored pencils and coloring sheets for additional stress relief while waiting!
We booked a couples massage so after a lounging for a short while our masseuses Amy and Marsha greeted us and brought us back to the couples treatment room. Side-by-side massage tables meant that we could each receive custom massages, but still spend a bit more time together. With aromatherapy and a complimentary yoga balm treatment my massage was exactly what I needed after such a busy couple of weeks.
I enjoy trying to find time for a massage a couple of times a year but I can honestly say I’ve never had a massage that was so customized before. Amy shared that a lot of the tension in my back is originating in my hip flexors. She helped me stretch out the muscles in my hips to really relieve the stress on my shoulders and upper back.
With the instruction to drink lots of water we headed back into the Fireside Lounge to make a plan for the afternoon. I wrapped up my stay by spending time in the steam room and enjoying the Crystalline Ice Fountain. Small ice pellets help keep a comfortable temperature while in the steam. The dry air in Colorado makes a steam room that much more heavenly. I love how soft my skin feels after a good steam.
Throughout the locker room a variety of lotions, soaps and scrubs were available to use. I loved the Honey Coconut Mango Salt scrub and used it to exfoliate away some of the harsh winter dryness on my hands.
After enjoying the spa amenities guests are invited to relax by the pool before heading home. The front desk will even validate your parking with the purchase of your treatment! This is truly the best way for a Denver couple to experience a spa day ‘staycation’.
Valentine’s Spa Day Specials at Relâche Spa and the Gaylord Rockies
Throughout the month of February Relâche Spa is offering several romantic seasonal spa treatments.
Chocolate and Champagne Facial
This 50 minute treatment combines the aroma of chocolate and the exfoliation of papaya and pineapple enzymes to craft the perfect facial experience. Price: $180 per person
Molten Chocolate Indulgence Couples Massage
Couples will enjoy a full body stone massage while their hands are wrapped in chocolate paraffin. A warm Moroccan Oil scalp masque tops off this 110 minute treatment. Price: $330 per person
Chocolate Decadence Manicure and Pedicure
A wine inspired bath bomb soak ad wine pairing combines chocolate and peppermint for the ideal hand and foot refresh. Price: $150 per person
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary spa service to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Welcome to My Bliss
