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Wedding Etiquette Forum
jaenella
member
Bridal shower - gift passing?
So I was going to jump on the shower train in the FFF thread but decided to start another one so as not to divert attention away from FFF!
I can definitely understand that the point of a shower is to give the bride gifts and so it makes sense if she opens them at the shower. However, what about the custom of passing the gifts around the circle? At every shower I've been I find it super awkward to ooh and ahh over the bride's new towels or sheets (slightly better at a baby shower because at least there are cute mini clothes and toys)! Is that a tradition that can be cut? Or would you side-eye it if the bride didn't pass the gifts around after opening them?
Second shower-related question - what do you think about a themed shower? I was invited to a wine-themed shower where we were asked to bring our favourite bottle of wine instead of a traditional gift and will be decorating wine glasses instead. What are your thoughts on that?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Bridal shower - gift passing?
I have never heard of that before. Any shower I have been to the guest holds it up, everyone oohs and aahs and it's put away.
I don't personally take issue with a theme shower, but I've never really seen one. I've been to a "stock the bar" party but there was a bridal shower as well for that couple. The "stock the bar" party was pretty much an excuse for the couples friends to get together and get drunk.
[QUOTE]Ugh I hate the gift passing. If there's something I want to see, I'll ask to see it or look at it later. Ugh and I find it downright creepy when it's lingerie. And I ESPECIALLY hate when they pass cards around. I write the card to the receiver, not for everyone and their (literal) grandma to read it. I think theme showers are usually rude. Being told to bring something for an "around the clock" shower, or beginning with the letter "c". JUST NO. I feel like it says "you can't be tursted to come up with a thoughtful gift yourself, here are my strict guidelines." However if it's something that doesn't require a purchase I'm ok with it. <strong>For instance, asking to bring a favorite recipe, or a photo of you and the guest of honor, etc.</strong>
Posted by daria24[/QUOTE]
<div>As I stated before I didn't have a shower at all my first wedding around, and when I get married again I will definitely do something like this. What an awesome idea! I'm a recipe slut and will take any good ones I can get ;)</div>
'Next time, just fart.' - BriSox81
'Next time, just fart.' - BriSox81
[QUOTE]That about what you were looking for, KI? lol.
Posted by kmbryant2413[/QUOTE]
<div>Absolutely! Thanks.</div>
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal shower - gift passing? : I just had to ..... ;)
Posted by TXKristan[/QUOTE]
<div>I definitely wouldn't tangle with that horse! :)</div>
I'm also not a fan of "themed" showers-they tend to be too cutesy or just a little too "intimate" for my taste.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal shower - gift passing? : At first I thought this image meant that you want rum.
Posted by TXKristan[/QUOTE]
Loot means different things to different people. I would not rule that out. :P
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal shower - gift passing? : If H were to wake me up to try out a "dirty" wedding gift at 2am, he would walk away seriously maimed. Just sayin... OP, skipping passing is fine. And count me in on the people who hate theme showers. Want a kitchen/recipe shower? Fine, but I'm not attending and I don't care if you're my sister. Theme showers have the uncanny ability to make anyone who isn't a "typical" female feel incredibly self conscious and out of place.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Here's one of my deepest, darkest secrets: I never bring the recipe or do the craft. I fail as a female.</div><div>
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I've seen theme showers really bomb (the around the clock thing) and really succeed. One of the successes was a church shower with four brides that were getting married within 2 months of each other and all four were active in two different church organizations. We gave them a spice shower, so that it was financially feasible for guests ($4ish dollars per bride vs. $20ish). All of the brides cook a lot and they got a nice variety (I was a little concerned they'd get 5 bottles of cinnamon each), and some guests bought a small kitchen item, too (peeler, grater, etc.). We didn't do a craft though ... unless you count the toilet-paper wedding dress game. I got outvoted on that one <sigh />.