Get your DH to throw it for you! hehe... then he can invite all his friends and their wives... the boys can cook the bbq... and the girls can ooh and aah over the pressies

If he does the inviting... you might not feel so awkward about asking people you haven't really got close to yet.
I think that's a fantastic idea!

I have been to babyshowers that the pg mum2b has thrown herself and I didn't even give a 2nd thought that it wasn't thrown for her by someone else, but I still think Ivana_baby's suggestion is the best option.