Wishing Well?

kaos16 · May 2012

I just received an invitation to a friend's bridal shower. In addition to indicating where the couple is registered, it mentions "wishing well" on the bottom. Can anyone help me out with what exactly that means? I live in New York if it is a phrase with regional differences.
Thanks!

AG2AF=2012 · May 2012

A wishing well is something that they set up at a bridal shower that guests bring household items to be placed into it. In my area, the wishing well is made of a trashcan, mop, and broom. The guests then bring like paper towels, toilet tissue, tissues, and other household cleaning supplies. You could also bring like canned goods and pasta. Or even little kitchen gadgets-dish towels, spoons, apron, etc.

People usually attach a little wish to the gift. For example, for a box of pasta, "May this box lead to one good meal in your 1st year"

Hope that helped!

aimers1525 · May 2012

Or, more commonly heard on TK, "wishing well" is a way of disgusing that the couple is asking for money which is poor etiquette.

sparent2010 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:3e0fb13b-b7fe-4c7d-91e0-94ebea3cc3f3">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]Or, more commonly heard on TK, "wishing well" is a way of disgusing that the couple is asking for money which is poor etiquette.
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

Yes, but those are more commonly seen at receptions not showers. For a shower they are generally for small kitchen tools like: spatulas, whisks, measuring cups or whatever you think the couple might need to start their lives together. Some people do linens, tupperware or household items with a note attached.

lls31 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:3e0fb13b-b7fe-4c7d-91e0-94ebea3cc3f3">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]Or, more commonly heard on TK, "wishing well" is a way of disgusing that the couple is asking for money which is poor etiquette.
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

<div>Wow, I've never heard of this in my area (eastern PA) but that is incredibly rude.</div><div>
</div><div>Our definition of a "wishing well" around here is exactly what AG2AF said. Although I actually haven't seen one at the past several showers I've been to.</div>

aimers1525 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:4116a306-925d-46b7-9830-85fb35756d89">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wishing Well? : Wow, I've never heard of this in my area (eastern PA) but that is incredibly rude. Our definition of a "wishing well" around here is exactly what AG2AF said. Although I actually haven't seen one at the past several showers I've been to.
Posted by lls31[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I had never heard of a wishing well of any kind (well you know except in fairy tales or when people throw their loose change into fountains?) until TK. I have also never heard of the type that others described in PP.

Here are some references:
<a href="http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm" rel="nofollow">http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm</a>

This is my personal favorite:
<span><font face="Tahoma" size="3" color="#002850"> </font></span><span><font face="Tahoma" size="3" color="#002850">Many of our guests have enquired
For a gift idea to be inspired
We have enough dishes and towels for two
So we have a favour to ask of you.
A wishing well we thought would be great
(But only if you wish to participate)
<strong>A gift of money, an amount you can afford</strong>
Would be really appreciated, you can be assured
At our reception, drop your gift in the well
Then make a wish, but shhh… don’t tell!</font></span>

MNVegas · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:d16b0a81-1292-4013-b60e-0b615a77d694">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wishing Well? : Yeah, I had never heard of a wishing well of any kind (well you know except in fairy tales or when people throw their loose change into fountains?) until TK. I have also never heard of the type that others described in PP. Here are some references: <a href="http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm" rel="nofollow">http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm</a> <a href="http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm</a> This is my personal favorite: Many of our guests have enquired For a gift idea to be inspired We have enough dishes and towels for two So we have a favour to ask of you. A wishing well we thought would be great (But only if you wish to participate) <strong>A gift of money, an amount you can afford Would be really appreciated,</strong> you can be assured At our reception, drop your gift in the well Then make a wish, but shhh… don’t tell!
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Now that is rude!

</div>

krizzo17 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:d16b0a81-1292-4013-b60e-0b615a77d694">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wishing Well? : Yeah, I had never heard of a wishing well of any kind (well you know except in fairy tales or when people throw their loose change into fountains?) until TK. I have also never heard of the type that others described in PP. Here are some references: <a href="http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm" rel="nofollow">http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/weddings/wishing_wells/index.htm</a> <a href="http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.aweddingwishingwell.com/wishingwellpoems.htm</a> This is my personal favorite: Many of our guests have enquired For a gift idea to be inspired We have enough dishes and towels for two So we have a favour to ask of you. A wishing well we thought would be great (But only if you wish to participate) A gift of money, an amount you can afford Would be really appreciated, you can be assured At our reception, drop your gift in the well Then make a wish, but shhh… don’t tell!
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

Haha this is a new low - mentioning that the guest shouldn't go into debt over your wedding gift. I wonder if that girl who sent out "step by step instructions" on how to give her cash mentioned this, or if she didn't care?

krizzo17 · May 2012

Haha I like this one too:

More than just kisses so far we've shared
Our home has been made with love and care
Most things we need we’ve already got
Like a toaster and kettle, pans and pots....

...so only virgins get gift registries? Or having more than kissed excuses you from etiquette.

aimers1525 · May 2012

People come up with the craziest things.

HobokensFury · May 2012

In the NY/NJ area a wishing well is a basket that you put small house hold items in that would not be considered gifts like paper towels, dish soap, sponges, seasoning, paper plates, etc.

StephBeanWed61502 · May 2012

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:3e0fb13b-b7fe-4c7d-91e0-94ebea3cc3f3">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]Or, more commonly heard on TK, "wishing well" is a way of disgusing that the couple is asking for money which is poor etiquette.
Posted by aimers1525[/QUOTE]

I'm from Long Island, just like the OP, and that is 100% NOT the definition of a wishing well here. It's what PPs described - a way of letting guests know to bring small kitchen/home items (dish towels, spatulas, whisks, cleaning supplies, etc.) to be placed, unwrapped in a basket for the bride. It's really, really common here and it's not a money grab. </div>

Ali092011 · May 2012

In Response to Re:Wishing Well?:[QUOTE]Haha I like this one too: More than just kisses so far we've sharedOur home has been made with love and careMost things we need wersquo;ve already gotLike a toaster and kettle, pans and pots.......so only virgins get gift registries? Or having more than kissed excuses you from etiquette. Posted by krizzo17[/QUOTE]

Haha I missed that the first time around. It's a little gross and TMI, I think. ::shudder::

kaos16 · May 2012

ok, I can handle that. . . . thank you all so much for your help. I've never been to a shower with one before, so I was a little lost.

mdeidre · May 2012

I've never heard of the kind of wishing well where you put in household items for the shower, that's kind of cool. In Ohio, we have wishing wells at the wedding and reception, but you don't tell anyone about it, you just put it up somewhere and people expect to see it. It's for people who only brought cards or who want to give the couple money. It's usually next to the gift table, because many people will choose to bring a gift to the wedding instead of sending it ahead of time, even though sending it ahead of time makes more sense.

laurenoliveira23 · May 2012

This is the first I've heard of this and I'm curious - is this instead of a gift or do you bring a gift as well?

grafixgrl81 · May 2012

Hi. I have been to many showers with the "wishing well" idea. (I am also from NY). I went to one shower that asked to put a small kitchen item and recipe which was clever I thought. If there is no theme you can put anything, mostly kitchen gadgets. For a gift have you considered a "Wedding Day Emergency Kit"? I give it at a lot of showers. Here is a link to a cute one

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JLCreativeConcepts

HobokensFury · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_wishing-well-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:88d12f5a-81ae-4164-b204-2a0b10abc48dPost:b0fd48d7-fc17-43f5-a71d-9f01018c3d73">Re: Wishing Well?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is the first I've heard of this and I'm curious - is this instead of a gift or do you bring a gift as well?
Posted by laurenoliveira23[/QUOTE]

Wishing well gifts are usually under $5 for you bring it in addition to a shower gift. You also don't wrap it or say who it's from. My wishing well had spices, paper towels, pot holders, things of that nature.

kjrenee2004 · May 2012

We are engaged to be married and we both have homes that are fully furnished, etc. So, we don't need any actual wedding gifts because they probably would be a duplicate of something we already have.

We would prefer to receive cash gifts instead. Is this acceptable, and if so, how is this communicated to our invitees?

Leenie10 · May 2012

Hi,
We live in MA. I have never heard of a "Wishing Well" at any shower or reception. I have seen some kind of money tree thing but it was at a bridal shower that took place in Rhode Island.

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