Shortly after a good friend of ours had graduated with a degree in video game development, his wife got pregnant. . . . Player 3 was entering the game. I thought the theme presented itself naturally and thankfully his wife is a good sport!
The Invitations
![Video Game Baby Shower Invitation](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/c1c379/1251321386/isbi_fullxfull.1251321386_onbjk3dv.jpg?version=0)
Getting the theme off to a good start, I designed video game baby shower invitations. I started with the simple design on the left, but the daddy to be had very specific ideas. While I lovingly called him a PITA in the moment, I was happy with our more-festive landing point on the right.
(Invitation template available here: https://www.instant-invitation.com/listing/241810170/video-game-invitation-baby-shower)
The All-Important Dessert Table
![video game shower dessert table](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/f51ef2/1250962724/isbi_fullxfull.1250962724_r0smqdkc.jpg?version=0)
Pac Man!
![Pac-man cake](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/a44b81/1298206311/isbi_fullxfull.1298206311_qy4cp3i2.jpg?version=0)
Pac Man is just a double layer 8-inch cake with a slice cut out after the pre-icing cakes were frozen for 10 minutes or so to avoid crumbing and crumbling. Bonus -- you can eat the slice! Add some yellow icing (and in my case, some yellow sprinkles because I wasn't happy with the smoothness of my icing coating), an upside down hershey kiss, and done!
Sonic's Golden Rings
![Sonics Golden Rings](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/00d732/1298208825/isbi_fullxfull.1298208825_ssno2zcu.jpg?version=0)
Even easier than Pac Man, these Golden Rings are a product of Walmart's bakery!
Donkey Kong Coins
![Donkey Kong Coins](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/df83d8/1298209857/isbi_fullxfull.1298209857_6pb7p1ap.jpg?version=0)
1 can of golden edible spray + 1 package of oreos = Donkey Kong's half gold, half brown coins. Pushed for time, I fought my inherant OCD and did not go to the store for another can. With 2 cans, I think you could have a plate of cookies that look like my one stand-out golden oreo! Oh well, next time. . . .
Mario's Magic Mushrooms
![Marios Magic Mushrooms](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/371b91/1250969752/isbi_fullxfull.1250969752_ko7o1wkh.jpg?version=0)
Just vanilla cupcakes covered in red icing with dots added with a pastry bag. And display! (I opted to use my tiered cupcake stand, which I whip out for just about every party.)
Piranha Plant in a Warp Pipe
![Piranha Plant in a Warp Pipe](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/0c09a9/1250970918/isbi_fullxfull.1250970918_l3isio49.jpg?version=0)
Paper towels are key to this decoration. The warp pipe is a new roll of paper towels wrapped in green card stock with a 2-inch strip of green added to the top with double-sided mounting tape. An empty paper towel roll was then squished into the base roll and covered in card stock. The red bowl was $3 from Walmart and worked perfectly for the decoration. I just added white paper polka dots and attached the bowl to the stem (pre-green paper) with lots of packaging tape. I used small pieces of streamer that I had leftover from a soccer party to cover up the white of the paper towel at the base. Perfectly trimmed card stock would add a more polished look if that's you're preference, but I actually like the messiness of the streamer mimicing a grass-like effect.
Fire Balls
![Fire Balls](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/f39fe9/1250981248/isbi_fullxfull.1250981248_qindup5p.jpg?version=0)
I was brave and added cake balls to the decoration. Proceed at your own risk. :)
Level Up - It's a Girl Banner
![Level Up - Its a Girl Banner](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/e1c524/1250986248/isbi_fullxfull.1250986248_azzxtshd.jpg?version=0)
Two layers of card stock added some dimension to the banner. Not having enough of either red or pink for all the letters added some color variety!
Space Invaders
![Space Invaders](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/4a8fa8/1250983832/isbi_fullxfull.1250983832_js0jd5zu.jpg?version=0)
I found graphics online, created a template, and used black card stock. Hanging below the Space Invaders, I found another use for my leftover streamers!
Player 3 Has Joined the Game Onesie Clothesline
![Player 3 Has Joined the Game Onesies](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/0ff1f8/1298227935/isbi_fullxfull.1298227935_qr8rid3x.jpg?version=0)
![Player 3 Has Joined the Game Onesie](https://img.etsystatic.com/isbi/b567d3/1251320058/isbi_fullxfull.1251320058_r1anzbaq.jpg?version=0)
This touch was my favorite of the decorations. I saw similar onesies available for sale, but they were way too cost prohibitive to have a clothesline full of them. So I went on Amazon and bought a pack of Gerber Onesies (5 for $10!) and Avery Iron-On labels, designed a graphic, and made my first Iron-Ons! While I enjoy making all the details just right for parties, I'm my mother at heart and hate waste, so I love decorations that have function. This whole clothesline went home with the guests of honor after the party, and I got to see pictures of my precious God Daughter as Player 3 just a few short months later. For me, it doesn't get any better than that!