Wedding Etiquette Forum

Card Shower

Have been toying with the idea of having a card shower for my parents anniversary. It's their 30th, and I'd like to do something special but a get together just isn't looking feasible.  My church has done some card showers, but it seems like those were always for older people.  We'll be celebrating at dinner with immediate family, but I thought it would be nice to get cards from friends and family, too.

Thoughts?

Re: Card Shower

  • Probably OK- if you are only expecting cards and no gifts or gift cards.
  • I don't know what a Card Shower specifically is. (I'll have to Google that later...)

    That being said, I've had cousins in the past that email or FB message to all of the relatives announcing their parents' milestone anniversary and asking that family and friends send a card with a special memory or picture of their parents.

    These normally get sent to one of the kid's houses and they surprise their parents with the stack of cards on their anniversary.

  • I've never heard of showers given in connection with anniversaries-only weddings and births.

    I'd just throw the celebration and not worry about whether anyone gives your parents gifts.  Let your parents decide what they want to do about any gifts they receive.
  • BizWiz4 said:
    Have been toying with the idea of having a card shower for my parents anniversary. It's their 30th, and I'd like to do something special but a get together just isn't looking feasible.  My church has done some card showers, but it seems like those were always for older people.  We'll be celebrating at dinner with immediate family, but I thought it would be nice to get cards from friends and family, too.

    Thoughts?

    Forgive me, but I am confused. I have never heard of a card shower. Is this a thing where  everyone sends nice cards to your parents? Or is this something where you send gift cards without a party. If it is the latter, I think that is really rude.

    Why can't you have a small get together?

    BabyFruit Ticker
  • I've never heard of a card shower and I think that sounds odd....like an excuse for a party...but you already have an excuse so it seems unnecessary.

    For my mom's 50th,I asked people to send me a story about her and I put them all in a scrap book and we shared them at her 50th. It was really, really funny since everyone took the goofy stories.


    imageimageimage

    You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.
  • OP - what is a card shower? 

    It's really sweet you want to do something special for them, but I think a shower for any anniversary is a little odd. Could you host a backyard BBQ? I'm sure people would bring them nice cards if you throw a party in their honor.
    *********************************************************************************

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  • My church also does card showers and essentially people get a card and write a sentimental note in it and send it to the person.  This way you're "showering" the person/people with cards and warm wishes. I've only ever seen it done for this who are ill or grieving, but I guess it could work for a happier occasion as well.  But this could not at all be what the OP was thinking, but thats the only kind of card shower I've ever heard of.
  • I've heard of Gift Card Showers...which is exactly as they sound, people are asked to bring gift cards instead of physical gifts. Not good.

    If you mean actual cards then I think it could work out, though I don't get the shower part in relation to an anniversary

    After 6 years and 2 boys, finally tying the knot on October 27th, 2013!

  • I think it sounds weird. Can't you just have an actual party for these people and they'll probably bring cards anyway? Naming it that was is odd. 
  • I would have a normal party for them. Maybe when you mail out the invitations, you can include a notecard of some sort that requests guests to write their well wishes, favorite memory, or advice for your parents. They can bring it to the party. Later you can put them in a scrap book or photo album for your parents.
  • Why can't you just throw them a normal anniversary party?  
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  • Card shower around here is generally where people are asked to send cards to a person for certain events.  No gifts, etc, just cards send to their address. They do them a lot for birthdays, so I was hopeful to use it for anniversaries.

     My family is all pretty spread out, and frankly the timing of their anniversary is not good for my dad and other members of the family. 

    We'll have a small dinner for just us or something, but I just thought it'd be nice to include some others who might not come. 

    Thanks for input.
  • You're right- poor wording to say "shower" since it's not technically a shower in any way, shape, or form lol.
  • If I understand this correctly, you are trying to coordinate an effort to have people write your parents nice cards. I see nothing wrong with it.

    "Hi will you write my parents a nice card for their anniversary". I don't know that just feels weird. I am a card person, I love finding random cards and sending them to my friends. But I'm feeling a little apprehensive and I think its simply because I haven't heard of it before. It sounds nice.
  • huynhette said:
    If I understand this correctly, you are trying to coordinate an effort to have people write your parents nice cards. I see nothing wrong with it.

    "Hi will you write my parents a nice card for their anniversary". I don't know that just feels weird. I am a card person, I love finding random cards and sending them to my friends. But I'm feeling a little apprehensive and I think its simply because I haven't heard of it before. It sounds nice.

    My post above explains how my cousins did it.

    Their wording was

    "As you may or may not know, our parents, Chris and Debbie Smith will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on January 6. Kelly, Ashley, and I would like to gather some photos and memories from family and friends to share with them. If you are able, please send a note or photo memory of mom and dad by December 28th

    Send to:

    Christie Smith

    1234 Main Street

    Anytown, USA"

  • itzMS said:

    My post above explains how my cousins did it.

    Their wording was

    "As you may or may not know, our parents, Chris and Debbie Smith will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on January 6. Kelly, Ashley, and I would like to gather some photos and memories from family and friends to share with them. If you are able, please send a note or photo memory of mom and dad by December 28th

    Send to:

    Christie Smith

    1234 Main Street

    Anytown, USA"

    OK That makes so much more sense. Thank you. I think it's a very cute idea.
  • Our kids did this for our anniversary and we loved it. They invited family & friends to mail an anniversary greeting card and include a memory if they wished. (no gifts, no party, just had them mailed directly to us)
  • For my parents 50th anniversary, I contacted the Prime Minister, he sent a congratulatory letter to them.  They were very surprised and impressed!
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