bridal shower ettiquette...

cdubs2011

This is probably a dumb question... but I'm going to ask it. Is it "expected" to give a gift to the person(s) hosting your bridal shower? I'm completely unsure! My BM's are hosting one and FI's cousin and aunts are hosting another... and I just want to make sure I'm prepared and don't offend anyone...especially the new family.
Thanks!

pkontk

I believe it is the 'correct' thing to do, although I don't know how expected it is. 

Some brides may roll their shower thank you gifts into their bridal party gifts, but I don't know whether that is right.

If you don't have the budget to do this, perhaps a nice, heartfelt thank you note would be best.  I'm going to try to pick up a plant for my mom and one for my FMIL for co-hosting, and something small but special for my sister as well.

HandBanana

We rolled the gifts together. After our wedding, I gave MIL and my mom silver frames with our wedding photo and long, individual, heartfelt, handwritten thank yous. They didn't pay for our wedding but I thanked them for their support, the shower, the wedding gift, and for just being amazing.

aragx6

Yes, you should give them something. If money is tight, baked goods are always appreciated

Belle0720

It certainly is a nice gesture. Hosting showers is a lot of work and I'm sure your BMs and FI's family would love to know that their efforts are appreciated. As PP said, if gifts aren't in your budget, a hearfelt thank you card would be great.

My sister and mom just threw FI and me an engagement party, I'm giving them thank you cards and a gift card.

jmayinc

I agree. It doesn't have to be something extravagant if funds are tight, but like suggested, a plant or baked good arent very much and don't cost very much. It's nice to get a thank you for all the work and support they put into your wedding.

cdubs2011

Great ideas with the baked goods... was certainly going to do a nice heartfelt thank you card to all...just with about 10 Aunts going in on the FI's family shower...gifts could get expensive and yes, the budget is getting tight! Thank you so much for your suggestions!

MyNameIsNot

Etiquette only requires a thank you note, but a thank you gift is always a nice touch.

kateguess22

It would be absolutely fine to write a sweet hand-written thank-you note and to forgo a thank-you gift. As the bride, it's your choice how you would like to say thank-you. If you want to say thank-you with a small present then you have options: a bouquet, a box of homemade baked goods, taking her out for a nice lunch, or anything else that you think of!

cececappetta

As I am preparing to throw a shower for a friend, I wouldn't even expect to get a gift - I see throwing her a shower as a gift to her.  Why would she give me a gift in return?  A thank you is the most I would expect!