Bridal showers have traditionally been dainty affairs celebrated by the bride-to-be and her closest female friends and relatives. And for some brides, this type of demure celebration is perfect. What bride doesn't enjoy an afternoon luncheon of salad and sweets, and gifts wrapped in silvery paper?
However, many of today's brides are also interested in something a bit more innovative and interactive. They (or their grooms) may yearn for power tools and garden hoses. They may want to include the groom in the festivities. Whatever type of shower you are craving, remember that there's not limit to the creativity.
TOOL Showers
Inform your guest that in order to show up at this fabulous party, they need to bring a tool Instead of serving a light luncheon featuring salad and petit fours, consider a menu featuring crab and beer at a tool shower. Gift ideas include screwdrivers, socket sets, wrenches, levels, a drill set, and hammers. Also popular is a Home Improvement 1-2-3, a fix-it book by Home
Depot experts.
Invite guests to this evening celebration, and let the party begin. You may serve a variety of wines and cheeses, followed by an elegant fondue. Gift ideas include cork screws, bottles of wine, wine rack, party supplies, and chip and dish platters.
HONEYMOON Showers
Every bride and groom could benefit from a shower focused on their fabulous vacation after the wedding. The party could be in the afternoon or evening and feature food from the honeymoon destination -- Greek, Italian, Hawaiian, Caribbean, or All-American. Gift ideas include Waterproof cameras, maps and travel diaries.
KITCHEN Shower
Create a decorated recipe box. Each guest brings four favorite recipes on index cards, along with his or her gift, to the shower. The gift might be a utensil, pot or baking dish used to prepare the recipe. The recipe box will then become a joint shower gift.
TEA PARTY
Martha Stewart has some terrific ideas how to make an afternoon tea party into a memorable affair. Serve an assortment of tea sandwiches and sweets on elegant china. For place cards, she suggests removing the tags from tea bags and replacing them with small handwritten name tags, and put a tea bag into an empty cup at each guest's place. For a bride who already has everything, ask each guest to bring an interesting or antique teacup instead of a more traditional gift.
CAMPING Shower
Have an outdoor barbecue or social gathering for friends and relatives. At these events, the future bride and groom mingle to meet and introduce everyone. Gifts at this casual affair might include flash lights, camping chairs, first aid kit.
WORKPLACE Shower
Save time and convenience. These can come in the form of an extended lunch at an area restaurant. Usually the boss is invited, and co-workers treat the future bride to lunch. A collection can be taken up at the office for a cake and gift.
MULTICULTURAL Shower
The hostess assigns everyone a country and ask them to find a gift that represented that country.
AROUND THE HOUSE Shower
Assign a room of the house to each guest asking her to buy a gift for that room.
SEASONAL Shower
Guests are assigned a season and bring gifts that correspond.
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT Shower
Display a Christmas tree. Each guest brings an ornament or other tree decoration as a shower gift; hang the ornaments on the tree as they are opened.
HEIRLOOM Shower
Display old wedding gowns. Have your guests dig out their old wedding gowns to put on display at the center of your party decor.
AROUND-THE-CLOCK Shower
Each gift should match the aligned time of day. "Morning gifts" can include a coffee maker or alarm clock, for example.
