Shower Themes
Almost every bridal shower these days is given a theme as a much more diplomatic and fun way
to pin point what you as the bride and groom will receive. The most successful
parties and showers will be ones that are personalized to fit the interests and
needs of the lucky couple. Whether you choose a scuba party and dive with your
guests or a lingerie shower and giggle with the ladies from work, the main idea
is to have fun. These are some common shower themes:
- Round the Clock - The couple is showered with gifts designed to be used during
the specific hours of the day. Each guest is assigned an hour of the day and
chooses an appropriate gift. These showers tend to be very entertaining and
therefore a good way to bridge friends of both the bride and groom. A guest
given the 7:00 hour may give a coffee grinder and spatula to the couple, for
example.
- Professionals Only - This is perfect for a career-oriented couple. Gifts may include
day-planners, calendars, monogrammed stationery, even computer software
packages.
- Recipe and Cooking - This shower is filling for both the couple and the guests who bring their
favorite dish and give the couple the recipe and any kitchen gadget or exotic
ingredient to help them make it. This is a fun shower for a small group of close
friends. The host may choose to send out recipe cards to all the guests, so the
recipes can later be compiled as a set.
- Garden Shower - Another good idea for couples who share a gardening hobby or are
starting out in their first home. Not only gardening tools, but bulbs and plants
are good gift ideas.
- Wine and Cheese - This theme is perfect for wine aficionados. The party may become a
wine tasting with guests bringing a bottle for the couple and a bottle for the
party tasting. Serve a variety of cheeses and fruits and finish with gourmet
coffee and a wicked chocolate dessert tray.
- Get-Fit-for-Married-Life - This party is ideal for the couple who exercises together.
All the guests come dressed in their favorite sports or fitness activity and
gifts range from sporting gear to attire (matching sweat suits).
Themes designed to help couples receive the types of gifts they most need:
- Kitchen - This shower is especially appropriate for couples who don't already have a household
set up. Any gifts for pantry or kitchen from spaghetti servers to coffee
grinders.
- Bath - Good if you need items like towels and linens, bath oil beads or laundry hampers.
- Boudoir - This theme can also include linens or go the way of lingerie for the bride and
slippers for the groom.
- Household - Perfect if you need things like ironing boards, brooms, telephones,
vacuum cleaners and gadgets like shower heads and small appliances for the
kitchen.
- Tool - A good way to include the sometimes overlooked groom. They are especially
ideal for the couple in their first "fixer-upper" home. Gifts can range from
drills to saws to tool boxes.
- Travel - Another idea that helps with honeymoon plans would be a travel shower. Besides luggage, you
may receive travel alarms, camera and film, or gift
certificate for a romantic dinner or souvenir.
A special note to brides and shower hosts:
It is always appropriate to have a theme that might
suggest a gift idea to guests, and if guests inquire, tell them where the couple
is registered. It is not, however, appropriate to include "request for money" or
"list gift" suggestions in shower invitations. Typically close family members
(mother, sister) do not host showers for brides where guests are expected to
bring gifts. A bridal luncheon or bridal tea is appropriate to honor a special
relative getting married.
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