Shower Me With Love

I had the chance to attend my nephew and his wife's baby shower this weekend and was amazed at all the adorable gifts and useful items that they received. There were so many gifts that it took almost two hours to open them all. That little man will be the best dressed baby on the block!

So...of course, I couldn't just sit back and stuff my face with delicious cupcakes and sweet punch. I naturally started wondering about things...
Like...Why is it called a "shower" ?

Research tells me that baby showers and bridal showers are so called because the mother or bride-to-be are "showered " with gifts. That's a pretty dull boring simple explanation.

I found one resource that I like better. Wikipedia says:  "it may derive from the custom in Victorian times for the presents to be put inside a parasol, which when opened would "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts.

That's a nice visual, but it would take a mighty giant parasol to hold today's loot.
I suppose back in Victorian times they didn't stuff it with microwaves and irons and toasters. It was probably filled with dainty lilac sachets, delicate doilies, historic novels, cookbooks and teacups.

Then, I stretched my thinking one notch further....
Let's say there were 70 people at the shower. If each guest spent an average of $20 per gift, then there would be approximately $1400 worth of presents.

And- all for this little baby that will bust his fat little toes out of those sleepers before he's had a chance to wear them. Or spit up on those adorable blue blankets and poop in those soft tiny pants- without a bit of remorse.

So...I've come up with the idea of forming MidAge showers.
It's a party for middle-aged women to celebrate not only the fact that they've survived this long, but to refresh and invigorate their wardrobes and lifestyles. It will have all the festiveness and celebration of a birthday party- without the reminder of turning older.

Guests could certainly use their imagination. Gifts could include everything from bath towels to jewelry, shoes and hats, to cameras and lingerie.

Now, some of you may argue that $1400 worth of merchandise won't buy as much for an adult, but it's $1400 that you can keep off your credit card. And if you don't like the color or style or size- just go cash it in for a gift card to Red Lobster.

Simple. Easy. And very, very practical.

You are cordially invited to the middle age celebration of the life of Rae. 

A MidAge shower will be held the third Saturday in May, 2011

with a 10 a.m. brunch.

Forget stuffing a parasol- just bring a truck.

The guest of honor is registered at Macy's, Nordstroms,

Best Buy, Bloomingdale's and the Cheesecake Factory.

Or she will accept PayPal, cash, and gift cards from finer retail department stores.

Well, I think it could catch on- don't you?