Even though pears are most abundant during fall and winter they are available year round. This makes them a pretty and flavorful theme for parties and showers. The idea of the “perfect pair” can be applied to an engagement party, wedding or twins baby shower.

The Invitation
With the rising cost of postage, many hostesses are choosing online invitations rather than traditional ones. Whichever one you choose, be sure and continue the theme. If Evites work best for you and the theme isn’t available, incorporate the words “pear and pair” into the wording and select an ivory or pear green color for the invitation. If sending a hard copy invitation, search out graphic designers online to come up with an invitation that is customized to your pear theme. They’re not as expensive as you may think. Invitations should be mailed out no less than a month before the party, and six weeks for out of town guests.

Decorations
Pear green is between lime green and a more mossy color green, making it a hue that works really well with a variety of complimentary colors. Use white or cream colored tablecloths and overlay with a shimmering cloth in pink, red and brown. A chair sash or bow in the same color completes the look. Hanging lanterns or fans are another way to incorporate more of the color. Search your local craft store or online resources for a pear themed scrapbook paper to use as placemats or liners for serving trays. Bowls or wire baskets filled with pears in various sizes, and colors make perfect centerpieces for the buffet or seating table. Another idea is to use pears as place card holders.

Activities
“Not Yet Newlywed Game” - contact the engaged couple, and ask them both a number of questions. The number of questions asked will be determined by other activities, and length of the party. Possible questions are: favorite color, first car, favorite musician, where he/she was first kissed, etc. Then have the couples at the party try and answer how they think couple will answer. The person that answers the most questions correctly about the bride and groom-to-be is the winner.

A Pair of
The “Two by Two" game is a great icebreaker for a baby shower. Have a variety of different sets of stuffed animals. As each guest arrives hand them a stuffed animal. When everyone has an animal, each person must find the other animal in the pair. They have five minutes to find out as much information as they can about each other, and then use that information to introduce each other to the rest of the guests. The stuffed animals will be given to the mom-to-be for her babies.

A Touch of Sentiment
“Pairs of Wishes” - lay out note cards, blank or pear embellished note cards with pens at each place setting. Then have each guest write out a pair of wishes for the couple or new babies. The cards can be placed in a basket or pinned to a pear tree.

Party Favors
-Pear shaped cookies in small white boxes tied with pear green satin ribbon.
-Pear shaped or scented candles.
-Pear toiletries wrapped in tulle and tied with pear green ribbon.

Be sure and include a thank you note from the Perfect Pair, be they a couple or parents of the soon to arrive twins.

The Menu
Grilled Chicken
Spinach and Walnut Salad
Fruit and Cheese Board
Mini Croissants

An entire pear menu would be taking the theme too far and may be a turn off to your guests. Instead, choose a signature pear cocktail in an alcohol and non alcohol version. For the alcohol version use Vodka and pear nectar. Sparkling water with pear nectar is a great drink that even kids in attendance might enjoy. Along with the drink, choose one of the following in addition to the rest of your menu.

-Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with pear slices and Brie
-Seckel Pears dipped in white and milk chocolate

To keep your sliced pears from turning brown, dip them in cold, lemon, lime or pineapple water.