Not Engaged Yet

Bridal Shower Present

Ok, I need input. My best friend from college is getting married in August, and her bridal shower is Saturday in CT. My original plan was to pick out something on her registry today and have it shipped to her condo in Boston - I wanted to make sure it wouldn't get there before Sat (which is why I would order it today), and have it shipped directly there so that she has one less thing to lug from CT to Boston that day.

I was thinking about it more this morning, and I had another idea. This girl and I were truly inseparable in college, but between breakups and living in different states after graduation, we grew apart a bit and barely ever get to see each other. It is the kind of thing that when we do finally talk, we pick up right where we left off. We also BOTH feel like we dropped the ball a bit and miss the crap out of our old friendship - it isn't one-sided. The past couple of weeks we have been talking daily on FB and reminiscing about things, and we cannot wait to see each other at the shower/bachelorette/wedding festivities. 

So, I thought of getting her a gift certificate to a quasi-tacky clothing store that she and I used to LOVE to shop at in college, and writing in her card something about how she is getting plenty of registry things for her shower/wedding from other people, but that I wanted her to have something just for her that she can use to splurge on a hot bachelorette outfit or cute honeymoon clothes. I also want to write about how I miss her dearly and love her tons and hope that we can start seeing each other more often when the wedding things settle down.

So, is this a cute idea? I'm fairly certain she still loves that store. Should I go with this more meaningful gift, or stick with the safety and social-acceptability of her wedding registry?

Re: Bridal Shower Present

  • IrishDreamerIrishDreamer member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Pssssh, I would tooootally go with the cute idea! I hate registrys...they are sooo...unexciting. I mean, i understand the point, etc.... but from my really good girl friends...I know I may get something from registry, but my main gift will be something unique between us that they know I will love.
  • SwazzleSwazzle member
    10000 Comments Seventh Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    I love your idea!! I think it's actually really really thoughtful!



  • CASK85CASK85 member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    As long as you're not going off registry to get them some spatulas because they forgot to register for them (aka: they don't want or need them, no one forgets to register for spatulas), then I think that it would be fine to do a cute gift! Especially for someone so close to you. 
  • alanna91alanna91 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Definitely go for your idea :). It'll probably mean more to here, and she'll get enough "normal" gifts. It's a right as a close friend (even if you've grown apart) to do stuff like that.
    White Knot
  • ravenrayravenray member
    5000 Comments 25 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    That is a totally cute idea!!!  Go for it!  Don't let society brain wash you into believing you can only buy stuff off of her registry!!!
    "Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained"-C.S. Lewis

    Married! May 27th, 2012

  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'm in a similar situation, C.  This weekend, I'm attending the wedding of a friend I used to be really close to, but haven't talked to much since college.

    Anyway, I think instead of getting one of her registry items, I'm going to get her some peice of Harry Potter paraphernalia for her home.  HP is the reason we became friends in the first place in high school, and we still chat about it on FB all the time.  I think she'll love it.  I just have to decide what to get...
  • edited December 2011
    Meaningful gift for sure!
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  • jorhysjorhys member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree! Go with the more personal gift. I think she will really appreciate that.
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  • heyimbrenheyimbren member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I like your idea Sousa. I don't see anything wrong with it. There's no rule that says you HAVE to buy off-registry, it's kind of like a list of suggestions. Although I can understand why it's there and why people would prefer the dishes they picked out as opposed to some random ones.

    FWIW, I just hosted a shower for my friend on Sunday. I got her a few of the towels she wanted off her registry. But to go with it, I also got her some of Philosophy's fun "Bridal Party" bubble bath. And one of those hangers where the wire spells out her married name. And that was everyone's FAVOURITE gift at the shower. My friend told me how much she loved it, since it wasn't just a spatula or a cookie sheet (as practical as those are, sometimes fun gifts are nice too!)

    My vote is to go for it, if you know she still likes it.
  • csousa1csousa1 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Thank you ladies! That settles it, I will being buying her Forever 21 gift card tonight! (I did say it was tacky..). I'm super excited now :)
  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Dude, not gonna lie:  I love Forever 21.  Whenever I'm looking for something specific that I don't plan ever to wear again, that's my go-to store.  I'll be going there today in search of a thick gold bracelet.
  • csousa1csousa1 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bridal-shower-present?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:5b61a7b3-d4a8-45f8-b9ad-ed0d707e5189Post:2d732926-823f-4d19-a013-2f2b74d68c29">Re: Bridal Shower Present</a>:
    [QUOTE]Dude, not gonna lie:  I love Forever 21.  Whenever I'm looking for something specific that I don't plan ever to wear again, that's my go-to store.  I'll be going there today in search of a thick gold bracelet.
    Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

    Hahaha me too! She and I LOVED that store in college. I figured, what better place to find a ridiculous bachelorette party outfit or going-out tops for her honeymoon than F21? It is the epitome of klass.
  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Haha exactly!
  • edited December 2011
    I LOVE that idea! How creative. I'm sure she will love the thought you put into it. I love more personalized gifts like this. Good job!
  • alanna91alanna91 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bridal-shower-present?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:5b61a7b3-d4a8-45f8-b9ad-ed0d707e5189Post:191d1b7e-acf0-4dfd-9322-0895ae360e34">Re: Bridal Shower Present</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal Shower Present : Hahaha me too! She and I LOVED that store in college. I figured, what better place to find a ridiculous bachelorette party outfit or going-out tops for her honeymoon than F21? It is the epitome of klass.
    Posted by csousa1[/QUOTE]

    *blush* The cardigan I'm wearing is from F21.
    I like the store, but I know what you mean. Have you seen wtforever21.com?
    White Knot
  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    LOL. I remember buying my 21st birthday dress from Forever 21. I thought it was appropriate. That was back before the stores were huge!

    And there were always a lot of people in there that I thought shouldn't be shopping there.
  • edited December 2011
    I like the idea of the gift certificate is so cute and original, definitely more heartfelt than say a blender.  Go for it.  She will get so many gifts from the registry anyway.

    Anniversary

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