Types of Showers??

karen.elmore

I was wondering if any of you had any good ideas for types of bridal showers.  I am "new" to the bridal shower world and being an older bride (32), I have all the kitchen gadgets, towels, etc...  What are some other ideas?  My family is wanting to know what type of shower I would like to have.  Thanks for any input!!

Leah&Christian09

The point of a shower is to outfit your marital home. If really don't need anything for the home, you could do a lingerie shower. Otherwise, you can always just decline if you don't need anything.

Amaryllis619

My friend was telling me about a shower she went to where they brought their favorite recipe, and all the kitchenware needed to make said recipe. For example if you had a favorite choc. chip recipe you'd bring a mixing bowl, mixer, and cookie sheets. I thought it was a neat way to incorporate each guests personality. Of course I love to cook, so it was something that resonated with me. Or if you don't like that, i agree that a lingerie shower would also be fun. (depends on who's coming to the shower i suppose). Anyway, sorry that was so long. GL!

mags0607

The last shower I went to was for a bride who had alot of the basics and didn't really need too much. She was thrown a holiday shower, and it was a big hit. She was given things for every holiday, and she got some really neat gifts. The girls throwing the shower did a really good job of making sure not everyone brought Christmas items, and that every holiday was represented. It was really cute, just an idea, especially if you are a holiday type person.

trix1223

jet ski: wouldn't that idea possibly result in someone getting 8 mixers and 11 bowls that are all the same size and 6 cookie sheets? I love the idea of recipes, but adding in the supplies to make it seems like a "recipe" for disaster! Anyway, OP: I think the opportunity to "upgrade" to newer/finer quality things are a possibility. A "holiday" shower where people bring you holiday decorations? A lingerie shower? A leisure time shower-they could bring DVDs of favorite movies or other leisure time activities. OR, you could simply decline the offer to have a shower.

ffmaid

I've been to a stock the bar shower where everyone brings a bottle of liquor or wine.

goheels05

My SIL and now-BIL had a home improvement shower.  People brought tools, Lowes and Home Depot gift cards, etc.  It was co-ed and was a big hit with the family.

vallsass

OMG FI would seriously die of happiness if we had a home improvement shower.

leighbe86

something that is big with our family is a "Pantry Shower"When you send out the invitations you assign everyone a different color... red, green, blue, orange, purple, clear, yellow, brown. then they have to bring stuff for the pantry that is that color. it is really interesting to see what people come up with and the variety of things you can get that are that color. it is a great way to stock up on supplies for your pantry! instead of just getting things to cook with....you get things to cook!a lingerie shower is always fun with girlfriends!

megmeg0224

Hi!  I had a bridal tea.  The theme was "Crowns at Bridal Tea" and everyone wore hats.  It was a tea party with tea sandwiches, scones and all of the fixings!  Everyone wore huge beautiful hats, and it was a blast! By far the best party that I have ever had!Here is a pic of me at the shower!file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/Desktop/meg1.htm

jaclynfallin

I have been to co-ed showers, which are fun too, especially if you want to avoid the typical female games.  What types of gifts really comes down to where you register.  If you don't need kitchen/bathroom stuff, you can always register at Sears or Home Depot for tools/home improvement/landscaping supplies, or Gander Mountain or REI for outdoor gear if you are into camping, hiking, etc.  Or maybe you just need travel supplies like luggage for your honeymoon?No matter your age, there must be something you need for your home.  If you really feel uncomfortable taking advantage of people's generosity, you could ask that everyone make a donation to one of your favorite charities and just enjoy the company of your guests and give everyone a chance to meet before the big day.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Honeymoon showers - people bring beach wear, paperbacks, luggage, whatever.Or like pp said, just have a brunch or pre-wedding GTG.

peachkins

Like one of the pp said, upgrading is a good idea.  FI has lived on his own for years and had just about anything we would need.  We decided to replace some of his older appliances and hand-me-downs.  There's also nothing saying that you have to go with traditional items.  My brother registered for a Nintendo Gamecube when he got married.  It was just something he really wanted and didn't have the money for.  I bought it for him, too. 

Amy+Chris

I agree with Leah that a leingerae(I suck at spelling) shower would be a great idea. When my dad got remarried (3rd for him, 2nd for her) they had more than enough home gadgets, so she had a "floor clothes" shower, i.e. a shower that gave her clothes that would end up on the floor after the ceremony and on the honeymoon. It was a great time! Congrats and good luck.

kacottrell

My favorite shower that I had was a Monogram Shower.  It was a definite hit and you can get things with your new monogram or last name on them!

jdee1982

I love the pantry shower.  We do it the same way as leigh said above. Everyone gets a color and picks household/grocery/cleaning items in that color. Very fun!

dieselsmomma

I like stock the bar showers for couples with everything.You can also just have a shower for the sake of getting together with everyone you want too. I requested that people do NOT bring gifts. I made it very clear from the get go that I was tired of receiving gifts and that their presence was more than enough. Yes I know the shower is to "shower the couple with gifts," I just felt that I was getting so many gifts that I didn't think was necessary.

cmwyers

I recently heard of a shower that I thought was a fun idea. It was a memories and wishes shower. You invite close friends and family and they decorate a fabric square. then one of the members took the squares home and made a quilt for the bride to keep.  My sister said they had a computer and printer so some would take pictures to iron on. Some wrote messages. People brought snacks and got really into decorating. It turned out really cute. And would be a nice keepsake. Anyway I thought it was a cute idea.

blueorchid05

I love the idea of a honeymoon shower. Plus you can make a honeymoon registry and people can buy you tours and hotel nights/ contribute toward your flights for the honeymoon. You also get the towels, lingerie and other honeymoon/ newlywed gifts. This is my favorite idea since we're paying for our entire honeymoon (I think most couples do now right?)

youngin12

I would say do the gift card shower. Pick a few places to put on the invite as "preferred". i was in a wedding that did this back in June and the couple got $2,000.00 in gift cards to various places. It was a huge hit. Have a basket at the sign in table and people just dropped them off as they signed the book. The rest of the time, we spent eating and mingling. It was a blast! The couple opened the cards when they got home.

krayzmelmel

Last week, a couple of my aunties gave me a 'luau' wedding shower! It was gorgeous with all the fresh fruits and flowers! The pictures turned out lovely because everyone was wearing such bright colors! They actually planned for my fiance to come in during a game and stay for a few minutes, where he brought me some flowers.  This way all the ladies get to meet the man of my life!

Septwedding09

We upgraded our stuff when registering. I'm so glad we did it. I knew I was having a big shower so it was a must.  Now we have beautiful dinnerware, glasses, nice towels and sheets, which we would never have splurged on ourselves. So definitely consider that.As for themes, I don't think a shower needs a theme...and especially if you are struggling with what to register for. I would jst have a shower and register for whichever items you would like to upgrade on.

phut_action

Well, going on everyone elses suggestions, you can really have a shower for ANYTHING you hope/like/want to do. You could do any of the forementioned ideas, like stocking the bar and such, or even: scrap booking knitting movies books camping Gosh, the possibilities are endless! I hadn't ever thought about doing a "present"-themed shower... this is definitely something to consider! My fiancee and I had talked about doing a co-ed thing, so this might work nicely w/ our friends. (I'll likely still do the traditional girls-only shower for my family though)

lilcassers

Many wedding showers are asking for non household items. My friend and her fiance already lived together for a year. They asked for things such as a digital camera, new towels to add to their collection, picture frames, decorations, etc. So basically stuff that you can "redecorate" with and more practical items.