Picture this: You and a group of gals are sitting around oohing and aahing, watching a friend open gift after gift after gift after gift. Where are you? A bridal shower, of course! The focus on the opening of gifts at showers can make purchasing the perfect present a rather stressful procedure. Are you supposed to buy from the bride's registry only? What if she hasn't registered? How do you choose a gift that shows your joy for her impending nuptials without maxing out your credit card? Never fear. Our gift experts have thought of everything. Here's how to make buying a shower gift an enjoyable experience:
The Wedding Women say: Your options are endless. But let's start in the easiest place: Has the bride registered or will she do so before the shower? If so, you can just buy something off her registry. If not, and if there's no shower theme (a theme will point you in a certain gift-buying direction), you can buy her whatever you want, from a cookbook and cooking utensils if she likes to cook to a gift certificate for a massage -- something she's sure to use and appreciate before the wedding! Some other gifts we'll bet any bride will appreciate:
- lingerie
- several CDs by bands you know she likes
- a nice bottle of wine to share with her fiancé
- a travel guide for her chosen honeymoon spot
- a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant
- candle holders with candles for romantic dinners at home
- a picture frame (with a photo of the two of you in it, perhaps)
- a beautiful book about friendship (there are many out these days)
- a beautiful journal she can take along on her honeymoon, or start writing in to document the weeks/months before her wedding
- a silver pen
- stationery with her married name on it (if she's changing her name)
- a plant for her new home
Della from Della Weddings says: Showers are perfect times to start buying off of the bride's registry. And you certainly don't have to purchase something expensive, as you will probably be buying her a wedding gift as well. But generally a bride will love receiving items off her registry, as she's determined that these things will help her and her future husband start their lives together. Also, is there a theme to the shower? For example, if it's an Around-the-Clock shower, you might purchase a present geared towards a time of day. A cute gift for breakfast time would be two mugs, some great coffee, a muffin tin and a small cookbook on baking. Be creative and have fun with it! Your gift need not be expensive but it can still convey a lot of thought and warmth.
Great Member Tip: Hit the outlet malls! You can find some great deals. There are spots for crystal, china, silver - you name it. You can get something great without spending a fortune. If you find something at an outlet mall off the bride's registry, I would recommend calling the store where she is registered to tell them, so they can take it off her list. That way, she won't get duplicates. --mnaz145
For more ideas and inspiration, check out Top 10 Wedding Present Pointers - all ten tip work for shower gifts, too!
