Theme Idea 2: Lucky Strike! From Bowling Pins to Diaper Pins
Take a step back in time with this party idea. If you haven’t been bowling lately, there has been a renaissance in this sport. Alleys are updated and feature rock music, glow-in-the-dark graphics and pins, and neon signs. Many offer Extreme Bowling, Moonlight Bowling, and party deals that include use of lanes, shoe rental, and a party room for one and a half to two hours. Some packages also include food, and most places that offer food will not let you bring in your own.
You should plan on playing no more than two full games, which take about an hour. Depending on the size and skill level of your group, you may opt to play only one. Typically, four people play in each lane, which allows everyone enough bowling opportunities and keeps things moving. Leagues generally play late in the evening, so check with your local alley before setting a time for the shower.
Generally, you bowl first, then eat and open gifts. Award silly prizes and trophies to the players during the meal, and open gifts afterward. Another way to stage this shower is to have guests meet at the bowling alley, bowl a match, then return to your home for the eating and gift opening.
Invitation Ideas and Script
This bowling-shoe-shaped invitation could be the right fit for your couple’s baby shower. Use a bowling invitation design or search clipart on the Web for a retro-look design. Print these from your computer, two on a page, pink the edges with pinking shears, and mount on heavy cardstock.
Grab your bowling shoes
And join us for
Lucky Strike!
As we celebrate
Diane and Steve’s journey
From Bowling Pins to Diaper Pins!
Sunday, June 15th at 4 o’clock
Pizza Dinner to follow at the Alley Oops! Café
Menu Ideas and Options
This is no time to get fancy or trendy. When at the bowling alley, eat what the regulars eat — bowling-alley fare. This includes pizza, nachos, baskets of French fries, burgers, and hot dogs.
If you are serving guests a meal back at your home after the bowling activity, carry the bowling glossary into the food.
Lucky Strike! Shower Menu
- Gutter-Ball Subs -- Tender Meatballs Simmered in a Marinara Sauce and Served on Whole Wheat French Rolls, Topped with Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- King-Pin Coleslaw
- Snake-Eyes Banana Split -- with Hot Fudge Sauce and Butterscotch Sauce
- Bowlers’ Beer Garten -- Root Beer, Ginger Beer, Near Beer, and Real Beer
Color Palette and Décor
There’s not much to decorate at this shower — if you have purchased a party package, the alley will supply tablecloths and paper goods. Bouquets of balloons can be brought in and are an easy way to provide quick setup and to say “Baby Bowler on Board.”
Essential
Bring your own appetizer cheese ball to the alley to get the party rolling. Purchase a premade cheese ball from the grocery store along with a bag of blue tortilla chips. Crush the chips into a coarse meal by placing them in a paper bag and hitting with a rolling pin. Roll the cheese into the crushed chips until all the cheese is completely covered. Use a melon baller to scoop out three “holes” in a triangle formation to resemble a bowling ball. Serve with crackers.
Setting up at home requires a little more planning. A bowling theme requires retro colors — turquoise, orangeade, Pepto-Bismol pink, and chartreuse in irregular, amoeba, and boomerang shapes are the order of the day. Bowl over friends with a toddler bowling kit. Set up pins (in some kits they look like bunnies, in others they are barnyard animals) in the center of the table. Fill clear glass fish bowls with Lucky Strike candy cigarettes and have bowls of “Ten Frame Popcorn,” a blend of popcorn and chocolate malt balls—delicious for munching.
Gifts That Work with This Theme
A Bowling Bag Diaper Bag is a great gift idea. The classic bowling bag goes to work in a new capacity — for baby. These bags are inexpensive, kitschy, and practical; they can be ordered at your local bowling alley, purchased online, or even found at thrift stores and vintage clothing shops.
Or maybe a Baby Bowling T-shirt. A great gift, especially if mom and dad are in a bowling league. These cotton T-shirts proudly tell the world, “I’m Daddy’s/Mommy’s little bowler.”
Favors
Essential
If T-shirts and trophies aren’t your style, try giving crazy socks as a favor. Specialty socks are available online and in gift shops. Socks printed to look like bowling shoes or sneakers, socks with toes, even argyles would be a fun way to say thanks for coming.
Since bowling is a team activity, consider giving guests a T-shirt that bears the shower theme. These can be ordered at a silk-screening shop (many athletic stores offer this service), or you can create your own iron-on transfer. There are a multitude of bowling-related websites that also offer bowling graphics that can be purchased. If you have divided guests into teams prior to the shower, order shirts in team colors to make play even easier.
And who doesn’t love a trophy? Plan to award prizes in a variety of categories for this shower. Choose “Most Gutterballs,” “Best Swing,” “Lowest Points,” in addition to the high-scorer prizes. Trophies come in all sizes and price ranges, but they are often coveted by tournament winners.
