Wishing Wells?

sarahufl

Floridian by birth, from a SUPER southern family. Moved to New York 6 years ago and am marrying into a very, very New York family.

FMIL is throwing a shower for me this weekend and included "Wishing Well" on the invitation under "Registry". I was very confused but it was explained to me that people will bring trinkets and little.....stuff.....to put in the wishing well at the shower. Think dish towels, small appliances, etc. I suppose this is in addition to their traditional gift?

Anyway, this was a whole new concept to me. Something I had literally never heard of, so I asked around. NONE of my friends knew what it was- we all thought something different- notes of encouragement, money (which I was MORTIFIED at the thought of), or just simply saying "We wish you well!". So, Knotties- I have questions.

1. Have you heard of this?
2. If you saw it, what would bring/think/do?

FMIL and FSIL seemed utterly shocked that I had never heard of it.

sarawifenow

I have never heard of this before! Honestly, I would be turned off by it. If I am already bringing a gift to a shower, I would be annoyed that more was expected of me.

 

I do like the idea of a wishing well where people can leave notes of encouragement.

sarahufl

Ugh! I am HORRIFIED. I didn't know she was doing it until after the invites went out. Even then, I didn't actually GET the invite for awhile so it was too late at that point. I have seen the notes of encouragement thing done at baby showers, which I think is really sweet. I really, really, really hope people don't think this is a cash-grab.

They made it seem like All The Showers include this. I have been to my fair share of bridal showers and, like I said, have never ever heard of it.

I shall report back with info on Sunday.

daria24

I grew up in PA, I've been in NYC for almost 10 years. I had never heard of this until TK. I think it's only common in a very select circle. 

"Wishing well" on TK usually equals "give us money"-ie, you have one at the reception for people to put cash in. But in certain circles at a shower it's a place to put small items-like small kitchen gadgets, k-cups, measuring cups, tea towels, etc. Personally, I don't get it.  I mean if I'm giving you kitchen towels, I will just wrap it with whatever else I get you?

Swazzle

I live in NJ and I've seen wishing wells at the majority of the showers I've been to. I've never seen one where people put cash in one. I've seen scratch-offs and family recipes at bridal showers, diapers and onesies at baby showers. I don't mind them. 

buddysmom80

I've been to wedding showers with wishing wells. Usually you buy a kitchen gadget in addition to a bigger gift. I love it because I think out of the box with kitchen gadgets for the wishing well ie: Rabbit wine opener, a kitchen gadget that you put half an onion in it, and it chops it automatically, any of the "As Seen on TV" kitchen gadgets. I'm a little obsessed with kitchen gadgets (thanks, mom...)

I co-hosted a bridal shower that had a wishing well that was basically a glorified card box. THAT was awkward since people just threw whatever cash they had into the wishing well.

pinkcow13

I'm a life long New Yorker, born and raised, and I have never heard this. Not even from other friends or coworkers. I guess like a PP noted it may be commons in specific circles.

If I saw that on an invitation I would have no idea what it meant. As long as people don't have money expectations doesn't seem too terrible.

kaos16

I am a native New Yorker, Long Island to be more specific. . . .almost every shower I have been to has had a wishing well.  I usually get some fun holiday spatulas or a whisk or wooden spoons for it.

charlottesmom0626

I've seen these at baby showers, usually a baby book or baby necessities (like wipes and soaps, etc) in addition to your main gift.

MairePoppy

I've lived in CT/MA all my life and had never heard of Wishing Wells, until TK.

If I saw guests putting small items into one, I'd just think it was a tradition from the 'other' family. I would consider it optional. Now, if they were collecting $$, that would bother me.

theartistformerlyknownas

Weird. Never heard of it (Michigander here). It would strike me as weird in a "canned soup drive/bring a can to get into the movies free" type of situation. But whatever.

offensivekitten2

I've only ever heard of it for soliciting money, personally.

I know it's mortifying, but in the end it reflects badly on her, not you. My SIL sent out invites demanding that guestsb bring cash to my bridal shower. I almost died of embarrassment.

CMGragain

Never heard of this before.

Peaseblossom55

There was a wishing well at my shower, it was a surprise shower, so I didn't get any say in anything, but I usually don't like them unless it's a young couple, or they are just moving into a new home...

luckya23

My mom had one at my sister's baby shower - neither of us had heard of it either, and not many people contributed to it.