Gift
Baskets
Have each guest bring a basket full of goodies. It's fun to see
the creativity in your guests and makes for a nice gift to your
guest of honor.
Around
the World Shower
Each guest is assigned a country and must bring a gift associated
with that country. For example, "Scotland" gifts could
include shortbread, a plaid pillow, a CD of bagpipe tunes. Decorate
with paper flags, maps, serve food from the various countries
that were assigned.
Around
the Clock Shower
Each guest is assigned a different time of day and asked to bring
a gift associated with that time. For example, an afternoon gift
could include a tea pot or a morning time could include a tray
for breakfast-in-bed.
Initials
Shower
Use the letters in the bride or grooms names, or use the first
letter of each guests names and bring a gift according to that
letter. For example, a guest named Tracy could bring a toaster
or if the bride's name is Susan the person assigned "a"
could bring an apron.
Around
the House Shower
Assign a room to each guest. Each guest must bring a gift according
to the room they were assigned. For example, a guest assigned
the kitchen could bring a rack of spices.
First
Home Shower
If the couple is moving into their first home then have your guests
bring items that you wish you had in your first home. For example,
tools, buckets, trash cans, flashlights. You can decorate the
party with "Moving Day" signs, boxes, newspapers, tape
and other items that people use on moving day. Maybe even serve
pizza like most people do on moving day.
Kitchen
Shower
Have each guest bring a gift that can be used in the kitchen.
Try to match the color of the kitchen on the invitations.
Color
Shower
Decorate the shower all in one color and have each guest bring
a gift of that color. Serve food in that same color. Try to pick
a color that the newlyweds will feature prominently in their home
and match the color on the invitations.
Outdoor
Activities Shower
If the newlyweds enjoy outdoor activities then have each guest
bring a gift accordingly. For example, biking, hiking, skiing,
fishing or camping equipment.
Wine
Shower
Have each guest bring a gift associated with wine. Some possible
gifts, other than wine, include carafes, cork toppers, wine racks,
wine glasses, gift certificates and wine-buying guides. The party
could be held at a wine bar or have a wine-tasting party at your
house.
"Best
of" Shower
This theme is best when all the guests know the bride and groom
fairly well. Choose different categories like music, movie, restaurant,
wine and assign a category to each guest. Have each guest bring
a gift according to their category. For example, a gift certificate
to the "best" restaurant in town.
Recipe
Shower
Have each guest bring along their favorite recipe and a pound
of something to stock the bride's kitchen. It may be nice to send
a blank recipe card along with the invitation. *Pampered Chef
Consultants can also provide a bridal gift show with cooking instruction.
See Recipe Poem for a poem to accompany the invitation.
Garden
Shower
For the couple that enjoys gardens and landscaping. Have each
guest bring along a gift related to gardening. Perhaps fill a
new wheel barrow with the gifts and have the party outside. See
the Garden of Delight Poem for the invitation.
A
Day of Beauty
For small bridal showers or second time brides a day at the spa
is a nice way for ladies to join the bride in a day of pampering.
A
Shower For The Seasons
Each guest is assigned a season when they RSVP. The gift each
guest brings to the bride is something that can be used during
that season.
Calendar
Shower
Similar to the Shower for the Seasons above except you assign
each guest a month instead of a season.
English
Tea Party
This theme is popular for baby and bridal showers. Serve a variety
of teas to your guests. Then see my Favorite Recipes page for
some English recipes. To add some English flavor to your party
have a high tea where ladies are required to wear hats and bring
out your best linen: accent with fresh flowers.
Honeymoon
Theme - Couples
For wedding couples honeymooning in the Tropics, a luau party
is always fun for all. For those honeymooning in Mexico, throw
a Mexican fiesta. Make sure to include costumes and decorations
to match the theme.
Backyard
BBQ - Couples
For some backyard fun throw a barbecue party. Guests can bring
gifts relating to outdoor cooking: cooking accessories, picnic
basket, gourmet beer, etc. If there is a large bridal party they
might pool their money and buy the couple a new grill.
Honey
Do Party - Couples
Guests bring gifts for the man and woman according to a "honey
to do" list. Example: man: honey do the yard work, honey
do the repairs, etc. woman: honey do the ironing, cooking, etc.
We had a lot of fun with this one. We used a wheelbarrow to put
the gifts in and used a lattice fence with ivy to put around it.
Throw the bridal shower of a lifetime
with these games, themes, and poems...
