One of the queries we get a lot in our AskMartha mailbox (askMartha@marthastewartweddings.com) is this one:
My fiance and I have been established in a household for a couple of years now. We really don't need very much. Can I still accept a shower if someone offers?
I've recently run across the advice that a bride in this situation should decline any shower offer.
I object! Absolutely, you can accept a shower, even if you don't really need much in the way of household stuff. You and your shower hostess can come up with a theme that steers your guests toward gifts that you do need or want.
Here are just a few themes to share with your shower hostess:
1. A "memories" shower: Guests bring a photo, video, or even just a story (if they don't want to write it down, tape them telling it at the shower) of the bride or groom.
2. An "exotic ingredients" shower: Ask guests to bring a recipe that uses their ingredient.
3. A "honeymoon" shower, based on your destination
4. A "movie/books/music" shower
(Got any other ideas to add to the list?)
Or, just keep the guest list small, and let the people who know you best decide what they'd like to give you. You might find yourself touchingly surprised!
Wishing for other bridal-shower themes? See our gallery!
From: Amanda | 5/17/11 at 11:51 am
A stock the bar shower!
From: Laura | 5/17/11 at 12:00 pm
Great idea! A great opportunity to get what you want instead of what you need.
From: Suzi | 5/17/11 at 1:39 pm
My best friend just got married and she and her husband live in Brooklyn NY and didn't want to get a ton of gifts that would clutter their apartment so we did a "date nights shower" where people gave them all gift cards to their favorite restaurant, movie tickets, art classes, museum memberships, etc. The possibilities are endless and the attendees got really creative. I bought a vintage recipe holder on etsy and we put all the cards in there as she opened them at the shower. It worked out great!
From: Kris | 5/17/11 at 5:51 pm
My mom hosted a recipes and words of wisdom shower for me, and then she made an album out of the printed materials. Everyone shared stories about their selections, and it was very meaningful and special to me. It was wonderful!
From: Brenna | 5/17/11 at 7:21 pm
My future Mother and Sister-In-Law are throwing me a "Holiday" shower where everyone brings home decorations for every holiday- I'm so excited!
From: Shannon | 5/24/11 at 4:21 pm
I threw my friend in a similar situation an alcohol themed shower. Guests were asked to pick a drink recipe and bring that along with all the ingredients for the drink. Essentially the purpose being to stock the newly weds bar.