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Are you
searching for a unique shower idea for a friend or relative?
There are many creative possibilities.
For starters,
it's a good idea to match the shower to the bride. In other
words, is she conservative and traditional, or more
unconventional? Would she be happier with a small, intimate
group of five, or thrilled with a room full of thirty? Either
way, theme showers are popular and make planning the event
much easier. With some imagination, you can throw a shower
which will be remembered long after the wedding.
Ordinarily,
showers are given a month or two prior to the wedding, but
they can be up to six months before. Traditionally, the maid
of honor has been financially responsible, but today there's
room for flexibility on that issue. In order to keep the
financial burden to a minimum, two or three people may host a
shower together.
During the
shower, one bridesmaid should keep track of which guest gave
what present, and another should make sure cards stay with the
right boxes. Thank-you notes will be simpler for the bride, if
this is handled that day.
Here's a
few ideas to consider:
Happy
Memories Shower: This is a great event for close friends
and family of the bride. It works best with a smaller group of
8-10 people. All guests are asked to bring old photos of the
bride from her childhood or teen years. They should also bring
a short anecdote or funny story in writing, recalling the
happy times they've spent together. As each person shares
their special memory, the photos and written material are
placed in a decorated scrapbook for the bride as a keepsake.
International Flair: This shower has themes within a
theme, as each guest is assigned a country and asked to bring
gift items pertaining to their country. England could be a tea
set, or selection of fine teas, for instance. Italy could be a
pasta maker or an Italian cookbook. Refreshments can mirror
the international flavor of the day with egg rolls, Scottish
shortbread, pita bread, etc. The hostess can "assign" herself
a country and decorate accordingly. Guests can make a game of
guessing what country the gifts represent.
Stock the
Bar: This works well for a "couples" shower and if
arranged in the evening, becomes more of a social event. The
invitation list can be unlimited in length. Besides alcohol,
guests could bring bar accessories such as an ice bucket with
tongs, drink recipes, wine racks, or martini glasses, for
example. Each guest might also be asked to bring a unique shot
glass, so the couple has a starter collection to remind them
of their closest friends.
Basket
Shower: This is another theme within a theme shower.
Depending upon the bride and her hobbies, guests could bring a
gardening basket, dog-lovers basket, gourmet basket, romance
basket, handy-gadgets basket, etc. Each one might contain a
half dozen or so small items related to the theme. The hostess
could decorate with baskets and serve some of the refreshments
in baskets, as well.
Pick-a-Season Shower: This shower is especially amusing
if you pick the opposite season, such as a winter shower
during the summer or vice versa. All the gifts should reflect
the season, such as beach towels in the middle of January, or
Christmas decorations in the heat of July. Refreshments and
decor can also reflect the opposite season, as could the
music. Have the guests relate some of their best "seasonal"
memories of the bride.
Relaxation
Shower: For this shower, all the gifts pamper the bride
and help her relax. Refreshments could include herbal tea, and
finger foods. A massage therapists could be on hand to give
massages (in the chair) and the music should be soothing.
Gifts might include, aromatherapy candles, bath beads, gift
certificates for a day spa, CD's of ocean sounds, etc.
Finally, don't
feel limited. This special event is meant to be shared among
close friends. If you feel an afternoon canoeing, followed by
a picnic in the woods best suits the bride and her friends,
rather than a more traditional shower, go for it! |
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