Shower help: Add on (recipe card, advice, etc)

TuffysMommie

Hello all! 

I am the maid of honor for a friend, and her mother has basically taken care of all aspects of the shower, to which I am very grateful. The date, restaurant, invites, some games, favors are done and paid for by her mother. The shower is not until  months from now (don't want to say any more details in case she is a lurker) My main task for the shower is to collect from the other girls and get a really nice group gift. (She is an only child.)

I saw the panty line poem the other day, and know the candle basket poem and also copied the wine poem. I will probably do something along those lines or a variation.

However, is there anything else I can add on? I know of including a recipe card, or doing a wishing well (or themed wishing well) - and even thought of having each person fill out a recipe card and include some type of ingredient that is needed to make that recipe (For instance, my SO's family makes hummus for every gathering - someone would give the hummus recipe and include a can of chick peas) but I don't know how to successfully get that across to guests. And just because I think it's a cute idea doesn't mean everyone will actually do it.

The couple likes cooking and wine - just as everyone else does. They don't really love or hate anything.

Any other unique ideas? Like or dislike the ones I already have? I'm super thankful for her mom for everything she has done already. I do want to get involved as well just so I don't feel as if I haven't put forth effort. I also want to include "something else" that her mother won't even have to think about. What was done at your shower? What have you done for others?

Thank you!

mbcdefg

My mom did a "stock the bar"-type wishing well, so we got a lot of wine, wine charms and bottle stoppers. Also some beer-related things from friends who know about DH's craft beer obsession. Someone else put together a basket with some liquor bottles and some little containers of mixed nuts.

My mom also bought a little notebook and passed it around and asked people to write down their advice for us. Maybe something like that, or maybe guests can make a scrapbook page (provide photos, markers, stickers, scissors, tape) and then you can assemble it for her?

cvl105

I like the "stock the bar" wishing well....or even better, the tool wishing well.  Everyone brings a small tool....that way the future hubby gets some things too!

ffbride_0813

I sent out postacards with my friends invitations that asked the person to send her wishes and advice in the days before her wedding.  It had a cute poem that went with it.  i think I found the idea on weddingbee.

ahhndrea

If you decide to do the recipe cards, you can try to get them early and go to tastebook.com to create a cookbook out of them. They come out really professional looking and doesn't cost much money to do. We did this for my sister and it was a hit (a few others in the family/friends) also asked for their own copies.

DandT1206

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_shower-add-recipe-card-advice-etc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:8373482a-4f70-4a0d-a607-3e0f2077214fPost:e590d530-bc45-4ebd-ac26-4c184c0ba6fe">Re: Shower help: Add on (recipe card, advice, etc)</a>:
[QUOTE]If you decide to do the recipe cards, you can try to get them early and go to tastebook.com to create a cookbook out of them. They come out really professional looking and doesn't cost much money to do. We did this for my sister and it was a hit (a few others in the family/friends) also asked for their own copies.
Posted by ahhndrea[/QUOTE]

 my MIL made me one for my shower.  It was sooo nice.  It was personalized with a message to me, pictures, and my husband's favorite recipes. 
It was such a hit.  When I opened it up, people were asking to see it, so I passed it around the room. 

akmackay

I got recipe cards- they were included in the invite and people brought them to the shower. I've seen a "spice up their life" where people bring different kinds of spices or kitchen essentials, or some gave lingerie haha.

kimmys81

My MOH did the recipe cards.

She also put together a basket with bathroom toiletries.

My MIL made a TON of baskets with holiday stuff she's collected through the years.

My SIL gave us a huge beach bag for our HM with two bathing suits for each of us, a towel big enough for 2, a book on Hawaii and our tickets to the Luau...and i think a bottle of sunscreen

Reilly626

I think a lot of times in wishing wells you get a lot of dollar store crap...  one idea is ornaments for the Christmas tree- there is poem with meanings for each ornament to decorate your first tree together.

felicia220

I definitely would have preferred a themed wishing well, we got a lot of stuff in our wishing well that was "dollar store crap" or stuff we already have and now I don't know what to do with.  

I really like the idea of the recipe card and people brining one ingredient.  You could make a note in the invite that explains what to do.  

Poem:

The bride would love a recipe that makes her say "Yum"

Lets get her started with an ingredient, she just needs one.  

(Best I could do for now....haha)

Oh and my FSIL gave me 4 baskets, one for each of the seasons with different kitchen towels, decorations, etc.  I thought that was a great idea.  

goaliegirl

At my shower they made a scrapbook page with advice for the bride! It was so cute, my sister made the page beforehand and left blank spots for everyone to write something to me.  It came out so nice!  I love to scrapbook so I included it in my wedding planning scrapbook. 

TuffysMommie

These are all great ideas - thank you so much! I'm going to print out this thread and use the advice!

leah2b

I just love the "stock the bar" wishing well idea!  That's very cute and I know that I would personally enjoy buying something for this type of thing.  Its more fun than buying some regular kitchen stuff.