Baby Shower Plates
Choosing Baby Shower Plates Can Make Her Day Special
Paper, or Plastic?
First and foremost, decide how big of a plate you’d like to serve your guests with. Baby shower plates generally come in 3 sizes
• Luncheon Plates 7" - 8"
• Dinner Plates 9" - 10"
• Banquet Plate 10.5" - 11"
You may choose to use just one size of plate, or go with all three. You can start by using the smallest plate for hors-d’oeuvres and snacks once the party begins. Then, if you’re serving many different types of food in buffet style, you could use the largest size for that, and save the medium size for the cake or dessert afterwards. There really is no wrong combination. It all depends on what type of food you’re serving, how you are going to serve it, and how many people are coming.
You may not like the idea of using paper baby shower plates. There are other alternatives. You can find plastic at any party store, just remember these are generally more expensive and will eventually end up in the trash just like the paper versions. Since they are so much more durable than paper, plastic can be a very good alternative, however. Again, keep in mind the type of food you’re serving – for example, paper will do just fine if you’re only serving cake. What about ice cream? Truth be told, plate-making technology is very good nowadays; if you look around you can find paper plates made almost as strong and durable as plastic. Generally, though, it’s obvious when you should have used plastic if your guests are cutting their paper plates in half trying to cut their steaks.
Non-Disposable
To celebrate special occasions, some people use a more permanent plate that their guests can bring home. You can do this with baby shower plates as well. It’s not too difficult to do this nowadays, if you’re planning a really super-elegant party. You could find them at your local party store and, while usually pre-fabricated, sometimes you can have them personalized. The typical material used in these plates is Melamine, which is not a microwave-safe material, but there are other materials as well. Just check with the store associates to see what other materials they may have.
Keepsake
The ultimate baby shower plates are truly beautiful keepsakes, meant to treasure forever, and usually destined for wall or mantle rather than the dinner table. There are a vast number of providers out there; you may even desire to make your own plate and customize it yourself. Most local art shops will have all the materials you need, some even have classes you can take. The skill levels range from beginner to advanced, for example; you can buy an uncoated porcelain plate to customize and then have it glazed, or you can be adventurous and start with raw clay forming and kiln baking. The level of involvement is up to you. Keepsake plates come in many different materials, however – not just porcelain. Almost any substance you can think of – glass, silver, brass, crystal, steel and pewter are all common keepsake materials.
It’s My Party, and I’ll Eat Off a Paper Plate If I Want To
Baby shower plates are an often overlooked item during the preparation phase, an afterthought: if the mother-to-be is expecting a baby boy, blue paper plates get a checkmark on the shopping list. But if you stop and think outside the box, you can turn an ordinary event into something to remember, starting with a simple item such as the plates you will serve the food on. A plastic plate will be more durable for heavy foods or if your guests have to use knives. Melamine plates highlight the event with a ‘party favor’ that your guests can take home and remember. And the ultimate, keepsake plate is meant more as a center piece during the event and a cherished mantle piece proudly announcing the arrival of a new family member. In any event, choose the type that suits your style and budget, because in the end, it’s all about the mom-to-be, not the plate her food is on. Try surprising her by putting a little extra thought into something that seems trivial – the baby shower plates – and make her day that much more special.