|
|
A showers is an intimate gathering of friends to extend good wishes to the
bride, the couple or ocasionally, only the groom and to the present honoree(s)
with gifts. A shower may have a theme that indicates the type of gift expected.
Opening the presents is usually the high point of the party, but the real purpose
is to bring good friends together to celebrate the upcoming marriage. Gifts
are great but secondary to conversation, conviviality, and gracious manners.
What form must a shower take?
A shower can be held in any form the hostess or host chooses-a bunch or supper,
a traditional afternoon tea, an evening get-together-and is more often casual
taht formal these days. Unless the shower is a surprise, the honoree is consulted
about the date, time, theme and guest list, but party planning is up to the
hostess or host. These days, some showers are for both the bride and groom,
in fact, couple's showers have become quite popular.
Who hosts the shower?
The traditional hosts are friends of the bride, the couple, of their parents.
Workplace showers hosted by coworkers are popular, as are showers for the couple
hosted by mutual friends and attended by men as well as women. Showers for the
groom (only) are recent phenomenon. A couple never hosts a shower for themselves.
Contrary to some misconceptions, bridemaids are not required to host a shower.
One of an attendant's duties is to "host a shower" - if she chooses
to do so.
What form must a shower take?
The ideal tieming is from two months to two weeks before the wedding - after
the couple has firm wedding plans. Showers held fairly soon after the wedding
day alsoacceptable, especially when the wedding was arranged on short notice,
a shower that takes place too close to the wedding date may be more of an inconvenience
than a party for the bride, who is likely to be inundated with chores in the
busy days. A shower held too early may occur before the bride knows what she
needs and before her wedding plans are finalized. A shower may be held on any
day of the week that is convenient for the guest of honor, and the majority
of guests.
theme showers
A showers needs no theme other than to celebrate the upcoming marriage of a
couple. Sometimes, however, a hostess narrows or custom-design the focus of
a shower to a certain theme (often after discussions with the bride regarding
the wedding couple's needs). Guests are then expected to bring gifts related
to that theme, and the hostess may even provide theme-related food and decorations.
Ideas for the themes are limitless. Choice include :
Kitchen Shower
Suggested gifts : Glasses, knives, linens, utensils.
Spa Shower
Suggested gifts : Massage certificates, aromatherapy oils, candles, robes.
Honeymoon Shower
Suggested gifts : Travel clock, sewing kit, first-aid kit, travel book.
Gourmet Cook Shower
Suggested gifts : Gourmet food and wines, utensils, cookbooks.
The Great Outdoor Shower
Suggested gifts : Badminton net, flower seeds and gardening tools, picnic basket,
Japanese lanterns, crouqet set.
Happy Holiday Shower
Suggested gifts : Decoration for every holiday of the year.
Labor of Love Shower
Suggested gifts : Promises, not gifts, are brought to this shower, where friend
pledge to paint,
wallpaper, garden or donate their talents in any number of ways.
bridal shower Do's and Don'ts
Do Send Thank-You notes to all shower guests - even if you thanked them i person at the shower.
Do send a Thank You note and gift to anyone who hosts a shower for you.
Do include registry information in the envelope with your shower invitation - but not on the invitation itself.
Don't coerce anyone - especially the bridesmaids - to host a shower. It's a financial burden that
many aren't able to take on.
Don't invite anyone to a shower who won't be invited to the wedding. The only exceptions would be
coworkers who throw you a shower who already know they won't be invited to the wedding.
Don't ask guests to address their own thank-you notes.
Don't invites guests to more than one shower.
|
