Many years ago, instead of hosting a bridal shower for my sister’s second marriage, I bought a recipe file box and matching cards. I included the cards in a non-invitation asking for favorite recipes instead of gifts.
I am hoping to use the same concept for a ‘non-shower’ event this year but wondering if any of you know of a way to do this digitally.
The sister above thinks that I should stick to the cards because it captures the giver’s handwriting. Not sure this young bride will have the same sentimental appreciation…and where might I find such a thing…
Thanks
Sometimes handwritten cards are difficult to read and it is much easier to read printed recipes. This sounds like a very cute and thoughtful idea.
I’ve gotten recipe cards at Hallmark Stores recently. Not a huge selection…but there were some.
Another thing you could do is get regular index cards and do some stamping art on them.
But to be honest…my 20 somethings have a basic cookbook (one has Betty Crocker and the other has Joy of Cooking).
All other recipes…found online. I’ve given them specific recipe names…and a simple Google search turns up the actual recipe.
If you are going to do this…you probably want recipes that are family ones…but really…my parents had those…but if I was asked…I wouldn’t have anything original…at all.
The cards are nice but if you want to do something digitally you could ask everyone to email you a recipe and then put them together in a nice binder.
google create your own cookbook…lots of options
Yes, create your own book. I didn’t find a good cookbook online that I liked and thought was a good deal so I created one using one of the photo book companies. Included photos and messages from folks. It came out really well!
As I throw out on every thread like this: remember, most young people do not use cookbooks or anything of the sort. They google whatever particular recipe they want. Just make sure this is something the bride might actually use before going through all of this. It very well may just sit in a drawer somewhere never to actually be looked at.
ETA: This isn’t just anecdotal. There is actual data to back up the fact that most young people (Millenials) use electronics rather than print to get recipes.
I have a friend who made custom cookbooks for her children and nieces. They were very well received because they were all special family recipes that couldn’t be found online. Grandma’s Easter bread, etc.
I do have a millennial niece who is very into cookbooks. She collects them, uses them, asks for them for gifts. She also happens to live in a house with lots of bookshelves.
I don’t know because we don’t actually have “family recipes” in my family, but I’d guess that family recipes have sentimental value that collecting recipes from non-family members doesn’t have 
A friend shared a very special family cookbook with me. It had all of grandmas favorite cookie recipes, along with pictures of the grandkids, and other family members from back in the day. I think there were memories included in the actual recipe (like an intro, before the actual recipe begins). It was such a treasure.
Not sure if it’s doable, but if every guest were to email you a picture of them (in the kitchen, as a child, as a young bride, etc) along with a special memory pertaining to the recipe (i.e., this was passed down to me by crazy Aunt Linda, etc) it makes such a special keepsake. It’s not just a cookbook. Rather, a piece of history.
You really have to know your guests to know whether you will get a meaningful level of participation. And know the bride to know whether the end result will be of interest.
I recently went to a shower for my cousin’s daughter and there was a request to bring a recipe, and a recipe card included. I completely forgot to do that, as did my mom and my sisters and most of the rest of the guests. They had the little box for the cards displayed, and only two people brought recipes (out of 25 guests).
Thanks, such great ideas.
The couple do not want any showers or gifting events. The recipe solicitation would be a virtual event. Folks can feel included while honoring the couple’s wishes.