Invitation wording help?

stella_blu

My mom and I are throwing a couples baby shower for my brother and his fiance. My mom is wanting it mostly just to be a party and for people to bring gifts, but not necessarily wrapped. It's going to be a New Orleans theme and she's cooking jambalaya and red beans and rice. I have no idea how to word this and I'm in charge of sending invites. Any ideas?

Pesky

Okay, you can't control the wrapping of gifts in an invite without ending up on some website as a prime example of what not to do.  I'd probably just say "It's a Mardi Gras Baby Shower!  Come celebrate X and Y's impending arrival New Orleans style with traditional Mardi Gras fare and fun."  Just cut to the chase.  I'd probably also buy a King Cake somewhere to go with what you are having.

stella_blu

I totally agree. My mom is trying to get out of hosting a 'baby shower' but still wants my brother to receive gifts. I think it's really tacky to ask that the gifts be unwrapped. It's what they did for my cousin's wedding shower and now my mom thinks it's ok.  I guess that's part of where my hang up was

RyanandManda

You could ask for eco-friendly wrapping please, or something like that.  You'd have to use eco-friendly invites, of course, and you'd want to make an effort at the party too (no disposable utensils or plates, cloth napkins, etc) so it's apparent that it's a family value.  Our family and friends know us well enough to know that gifts need to be not wrapped or put in recycled paper/boxes/bags only because we're green in general ; )