Yes, mostly I have been to miscellaneous showers. I did play games like the white powders in baggies we had to ID, bingo with names of wedding/honeymoon-associated words, making words out of a long word, unscrambling letters, charades or pictionary, etc., as well as some showers with mostly just talking and visiting (depending on how well the guests knew one another and how socialable they were). Have not been to any showers which I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. I co-hosted many of the showers. Most of the brides-to-be in Hawaii are familiar with the dress made of wrapping paper and are good sports about it; if the MOB (or bride-to-be) indicated it would not be appreciated, it would be skipped, but can’t remember it being skipped.
The ribbon bouquets are nice for the rehearsals and happy memories of the shower. Even if folks give money or a gift card, they can wrap it in a box with a nice ribbon if they choose, and most do. It is amazing how creative some folks are with wrapping paper, making it look like designer coutoure fashion!
having a shower for my niece in Aug.Tropical beach theme with hot pink for the color. Bride wants to see pink.Found five foot pink metal flamingo at Hobby Lobby who is wearing hat,veil and pearls like a bride.Bride wanted brunch with waffles and mimosas.Will be having it out as there are 76 women invited.Will be playing games with prizes.Palm leaf and calla lilies in 16 inch tall cylinder vases for center pieces.Also using starfish and seashells.Alot of ideas on Pinterest.
We will likely be having a shower for niece in August, as she’s getting married later that month. I’m not sure if I’ll be the hostess or let the cousins plan the event. It’s a ways off, so I am waiting and not taking charge and taking over. There are quite a few cousins, so they may want the enjoyment of planning the event. A friend’s D is getting married in October–not sure if there will be any showers for her wedding or if I will be invited.
There’s also the “tradition” that I haven’t seen in a while but was popular when I was a bride: Someone writes down whatever the bride says as she’s opening presents, and then reads the comments later. They are supposed to be the comments the bride will make on her wedding night. (“Oh, it’s beautiful!” “I love it!!” “How does it work?” “Oh, I’ve never seen one like this!” “Oh, it’s really big!!” and so forth.) I guess that was from the really olden days, when brides were expected to be – ummmm – pure on their wedding night.
My preference–at home, catered. One game, e.g. Questions about the bride and how the couple met. At my niece’s shower, I won that game, and an orchid was the prize.
I’ve been to others where it gets so boring to just open gifts for an hour.
In our family, we’ve had themes, like kitchen or bath. My mom use to do all the food, but the younger generation caters. I don’t like ones where I am suppose to write a poem. I am fine with printing a picture of the bride, with a note about first impressions. In that case, I knew the girl well since she was a toddler.
Going to use the orchid as a prize idea.
Atomom- I also would like to hear more about the tissue paper bride gown game. I also like the idea of dressing the bride in the wrapping paper.
I am considering an entertaining cooking theme. I also thought about each person bringing a recipe. I don’t really want to send out recipe cards but maybe making some sort of scrap book out of them.
I went to a shower where the the guests were asked to bring a recipe, and I’ve been to another where the guests were asked to give the bride their best marriage advice. I can imagine a scrap book where you could combine favorite dish recipes along with “recipes for a successful marriage” in one book. Advice, both serious and humorous, together with some delicious recipes, might make for a fun memento or the bride.
mixbook.com lets you create a book and gives you the option of inviting others to add to it. Everyone coould create a page. You could use it to do a recipe book, as well as incorporating @moonchild 's suggestions above, photos, etc. If you sign up and ignore it for a few days, they will email you discount coupons or you can find discounts online. It’s not very expensive and the online software is easy to use.
One bridal shower I hosted we played only one game (how well does the Bride/Groom know each other). I sent a list of 10 questions for the Groom to answer and give back to me (about himself) and gave him 10 questions to answer about his bride.
At the party, I gave the same questions to the bride…but she had to answer outloud. After she finished we compared the two, and it was pretty funny. She did well!
Bumping this up
I met with my co-host yesterday. I am realizing that while we are best of friends our visions differ.
Shower will be in early fall at my house, probably around 40 women.
After many different ideas we decided on a lunch time shower with a buffet. I want to make the food, friend is not a cook or much of an eater and she wants catered. We might compromise with some homemade and some catered. Menu - some sort of grain salad, kale salad and a choice of a vegetable sandwich or chicken salad. Considering if we need a 3rd salad.
We are going back and forth on appetizers. If we even need them and if we do what we should serve since they will be having lunch. Appetizers would be on a table not passed and we don’t want anything that needs to be heated last minute. Suggestions? Opinions?
Also games- how many? Logistics- with 40 people who for the meal will be at one long table outside on a veranda. Presents will be inside, some will have to stand or sit on floor. Opening that many presents will take time. I’m thinking they can eat dessert while she opens.
Thanks
mom60, unless all 40 attendees are vegetarians or like pasta/grains, please consider having some protein options for the meat eaters. Chicken salad, IMO, is too heavy on mayo. I do not think you’d need appetizers with lunch - maybe some veggie platters.
40 people on one long table is impressive. Haven’t been in many homes or patios that can accommodate such a long table. I think your menu sounds fine. Appetizers aren’t a must for lunch. We had chocolate and cheese fondues for my niece’s baby shower. We played just two or three games. Don’t overthink it–it will be fun!
If you want to do a third salad, I would suggest a fruit salad of some type. For apps, keep it light and simple, perhaps a cheese/charcuterie board, shrimp cocktail, veggies and dip/hummus all of which can be prepared ahead with no worries about heating. Since its a lot of people, I’d suggest mini sandwiches with a choice of 3-4 fillings served on mini rolls, croissants and/or biscuits. The idea of having dessert/coffee while gifts are being opened sounds like a good plan.
I’ve been to 4 bridal/baby showers in the last year. A few break-the-ice games can be fun, but one hyper hostess had us playing games for over an hour, blech, too long. I’ve never been to a co-ed shower, but I love the idea of watching men do the games. That would be hilarious.
S2’s friends had a diaper party for him–every guy brought diapers. No present selection stress and definitely the most useful presents received. No games, no decorations–just a campfire, beverages, and grilled burgers
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll consider if we have enough protein. The chicken salad is not a heavy mayo one. Believe me we tried chicken salad from about 4 different places. The one we are going with uses yogurt in their dressing.
I think we have at least 6 vegetarians. No seafood as the bride is Jewish. I figure those who don’t eat bread can open up the sandwich as eat the inside.
The other hostess really wants to do an orzo or pasta salad. I keep trying to point out that many women these days avoid white carbs. I have suggested several lentil or quinoa salads but I am trying to not be so rigid.
I am having to practice compromise and at each decision I ask myself how important is it. To describe the differences my style is Anthropologie and she is Z gallery.
We will have fruit. Deciding between cut up as a salad or platters with dessert.
Will limit the games.
If the bride is kosher style, offer tuna or egg salad. For ease, I’d skip making sandwiches but have baskets of breads of different types. I’d offer veggie platters with humus or onion dip sauce.
If the other hostess really wants to do an orzo salad , I’d let her do it. It sounds like a good idea, Most people are willing to adjust their diet for a special occasion (or just not eat something if it doesn’t appeal to them). Costco used to have good orzo salad but haven’t checked in awhile. Whatever you can do to simplify, the better. The only thing you’ve mentioned that I really don’t like is kale salad. That seems to be big these days but for some reason, I just don’t care for it. You could do something with asparagus or a green bean platter ( I did one one time -room temperature with balsamic and walnuts if I recall correctly). Adding some kind of fruit salad does seem like a good idea. Have fun!
