Bridal Shower Invitations - Let's Shower the Bride With Love

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The bridal shower is a time of fun, fellowship, and friends forever. In a bridal shower, the bride's closest friends and allies assemble together at the bride's house for a party to celebrate the bride. The friends, relatives, and colleagues 'shower' the bride with gifts. Originally, bridal showers were intended to replace the gifts lost through a dowry that didn't go through because the father of the bride didn't approve of the marriage. Because of this, bridal showers are a recent phenomenon. They're endemic to America and Canada especially so you'll be sure to find the best bridal shower invitations from Internet vendors in one of those two countries.

Bridal shower invitations are fun to send out because you're 100% certain that you will receive some great gifts in return from all your friends. Friends are likely to bring gifts that will help you establish your new home. In the past, bridal showers were also intended to establish the woman's role as homemaker and traditional housewife. This has gradually been replaced with a pure gift-giving session; sometimes, the husband is even involved in this celebration that was originally reserved just for females.

Usually, the maid of honor plans the bridal shower and sends out the invitation so she should keep some basic tenets in mind. First, the bride-to-be is a princess for a day. Second, send out invitations 2 weeks ahead of time to give everyone time to prepare. Third, don't invite guests to the shower if they're not invited to the wedding, for obvious reasons. Fourth, plan to have the shower in the afternoon. Fifth, use board games and other games to help the guests get to know each other. Sixth, don't pressure the guests into giving expensive gifts if they can't afford them. Cheap gifts can be just as good and functional. Include a list of inexpensive items on the registry for cash-strapped bridal shower guests. Seventh, choose a few good movies that all the girls will love to watch. These are especially fun at the end of the night after a few bottles of wine or champagne.

The bridal shower invitations shouldn't be too fancy or else the guests will think they have to dress up and bring expensive gifts and such. Make sure that the invitations are fun, yet classy. Don't use overpriced cards because it will send the wrong impression right off the bat. Make the bride's bridal shower a time of shared memories and future hopes. Don't let anything blur that beautiful dream.

Jeff Fain is an author for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, wedding anniversary invitations, bridal shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Bridal Shower Trivia Games - Fun Questions to Ask the Bride & Groom

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Bride and groom trivia is a great game to play at bridal showers. While most guests know something about the happy couple, most guests will not know all the "dirty" details. A quick game of trivia is also a great way for the bride's side to get to know the groom and vice-versa.

Unless you already know all the little details, you may need to do a little investigative work in advance in order to pull off the perfect trivia game. The easiest way to do this is to prepare 10-15 questions for the bride and groom to answer before the shower, so you will have the answers ready immediately after the game. You can easily print up game sheets on your computer to hand-out to guests so they can write their answers down. You will want to make sure you have at least one prize for the winner!

If you are having a co-ed bridal shower (as in both the groom's and the bride's friends and family are there - men and women), you may want to change up the game, or add a second trivia game - one meant for the bride and groom alone. Ask the bride and groom to answer the questions separately before the shower - do not let them see each other's answers! When it comes time to reveal the trivia answers to the guests, it will be fun to see if the bride and groom can answer the questions themselves. You might want to have a little gift for whichever one gets the most questions right.

To help you plan your trivia game, here are 10 fun questions:

1. How (or where) did the bride and groom meet?


2. Where was their first date?


3. Where did the groom propose?


4. What is the groom's (or bride's) nickname for the bride (or groom)?


5. What was the bride's (or groom's) major in college?


6. What does the groom (or bride) do for a living?


7. How many kids (or pets) does the happy couple want?


8. Where are they going on their honeymoon?


9. How long have they been dating?


10. Where was their first kiss?

The list of questions you could ask are endless. Be creative and you are sure to come up with many more. Keep in mind, though, that you may want to stay away from any sort of questions that refer to irritating habits or things you know are likely to cause an argument. The last thing you want is to start a fight right before the wedding!

Jenna Regan has enjoyed planning bridal showers for friends and clients for several years. Find more great bridal shower ideas, such as how to plan a Spa Shower, at her website: http://www.bridalshowerplanning.net.

Great Bridal Shower Gift Basket Ideas!

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Looking for a bridal shower gift idea? Have you considered a fun, unique gift basket filled with personalized merchandise? Theme gift baskets can be an exciting and budget conscious way to show the bride how much you care about her. Look no further than the following list, which outlines our top picks for unique bridal shower gift baskets.

1. Wedding day survival "kit": there is no better way to ease away the bride's wedding day jitters than by giving her this fun "kit" which contains a wedding planner, hair accessories, a miniature wedding dress sewing kit, and a bottle of lavender bubble bath to soothe away those wedding day worries. A survival kit is the perfect way to let the bride know that you'll be there for her to help her get through the big day.

2. Personalized candy gift basket: if the bride has a sweet tooth, give her these tasty bridal shower gift baskets filled with fun personalized candy kisses, chocolates, and miniatures. Don't forget to select a personalized saying that reflects the love between bride and groom. Add a pair of chocolate covered strawberries decorated to resemble the bride and groom for an even more delicious gift!

3. Home spa basket: sensual bath and "spa" treatments are just what the bride needs to get ready for her big day. This gift basket is stuffed with scented bubble baths, soaps, foot scrub, and luxurious massage lotions, as well as a miniature back massager, foot scrubber, pedicure kit, and lavender scented bath pillow.

4. Baking basket: if the bride loves to bake or wants to learn how, a baking basket is the perfect choice. Include a recipe book, an assortment of baking pans and cookie cutters. You can also throw in some pre-packaged muffin mixes for those times when baking from scratch is not an option!

5. Honeymoon survival basket: find out where the happy couple are going for their honeymoon, then pack up some travel necessities. Some possible items to include are: tote bag, sunscreen, tourbooks, travelling snacks, and travel games.

Remember to keep your gift basket contents family friendly, especially if the shower is going to include the family members of the bride or groom. You might think it's funny, but the bride might not think the same way when she opens a package of flimsy lingerie in front of her mother or future mother-in-law. Trust me, I've been there!

To make your gift basket even more special, you can decorate it with ribbons and tissue that match the wedding colors chosen by the bride and groom.

Bridal showers are notable moments for every bride-to-be. See us today for more creative tips on wedding shower games and free printable bridal shower invitations

Unique Bridal Shower Gifts - Seven Ideas to Celebrate the Bride-to-Be

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There was a time when a bridal shower was held in order to help the new bride get all the things she would need to start married life. All you had to do was visit the housewares section, or choose something off the registry list, and you were finished. But, these days, many brides have already been living on their own before their wedding.

Instead of getting a bride's home ready for becoming a wife, the focus shifts to helping the bride herself. Bridal showers have become a time for women to get together and pamper the bride-to-be as well as to prepare her for married life. And that leaves a doorway for all kinds of unique gifts. Here are seven tips and ideas to make sure you give a memorable gift for your next bridal shower.

1. In this modern era, many engaged brides and grooms are paying for their own wedding and their own honeymoons. What would your bride love to have - but wouldn't buy for herself during this time in her life? Make some notes and, if necessary, get together with friends to purchase something that the bride will really enjoy. Another idea is to chip in to purchase something for the honeymoon - a romantic daylong getaway, for example, that the couple may not think they can afford on their own.

2. Some of the most popular bridal gifts are those that will help the bride-to-be remember the good times you have shared together. Create a collage or visit a photo processing website and create an album. Or simply frame your favorite photograph of yourself with the bride and include a sentimental message on the back.

3. Create a personalized gift basket for the bride. Fill the basket with her favorite pampering treats, including crèmes and lotions or her favorite fragrance, which she can wear on her wedding day. For a really memorable gift, include a gift certificate to her favorite spa so she can enjoy a little pampering a day or two before the big day - especially during the hectic days before the wedding.

4. Another very popular bridal shower gift is lingerie. Try to coordinate the lingerie with the theme of the couple's honeymoon destination.

5. Give her a wedding day survival kit. You can purchase one of these already assembled from various online retailers, or you can make your own. Include anything that she might need just before the big day: hair spray, hair clips, her favorite bath gel, mints, deodorant, double-sided tape, and so on. Place all the essentials you can think of in a train case or other nice carrying case with a sentimental note.

6. Make something. Add a personal touch (and keep the costs down) by making something just for the bride-to-be. If you are handy with a needle and thread, see if there is something the bride would like you to make: a bridal veil, for example. Or perhaps you could help with the flowers or the centerpieces. Offer to create some favors or decorations, or, if you are a scrapbooker or a photographer, take some photographs of the days and weeks leading up to the wedding and create a keepsake album.

7. Think back to your own bridal shower - or any shower in recent memory. What bridal shower gifts drew the most ooh's and aah's from the other guests? Paying attention to things like this (and noting them at the time) will make you a great gift giver, in bridal showers, birthdays, and every other occasion, as well.

The key when trying to figure out a perfect bridal shower gift is to keep your focus on the bride and your personal relationship. Anything that celebrates the bride, or your relationship with her, as well as those items that contribute to her wedding day or honeymoon, will be perfect.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares coupons and promotions for SpaFinder Gift Certificates and ideas for personalized bridal shower favors

A Relaxed Bride is a Happy Bride - How to Unwind With a Spa-Themed Bridal Shower

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Let's face it, every bride-to-be needs some pampering! Planning a wedding can be stressful, with all of the coordinating, last minute changes, and a myriad of people to try to please. Typically most of this stress falls on the bride, who ends up walking down the aisle exhausted and frazzled. When planning this special woman's bridal shower, keep this in mind and consider using a bath or spa theme for the shower to give her a chance to step out of the whirlwind she's caught up in.

This theme can take a few different forms depending on the number of shower guests and the bride's preferences. For a very small group, a day at the spa could make for a very fun outing! Instead of bringing gifts, each guest chips in to help pay for the bride's spa treatments that day. Everyone can enjoy a day at the spa and the bride can relax and enjoy the worry-free attention she's getting. This type of shower works well when the guests consist of immediate family or very close friends. If you want you can make a day of it and plan a night out on the town as well!

While this plan requires a bit of set up to book everyone's appointments, you could forego the day at the spa and still promote the bride's relaxation. You can do this by adding a note on each shower invitation requesting that a small part of the gift include a bath product for the bride. You could even provide examples, such as nail files, bubble bath, massage oil, facial masks, a luxurious hand towel, foot soak, and the list goes on. This way, the bride still gets items that she needs for her home, and she gets a few treats as well, to encourage her to take some time for herself in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding.

A great way to thank your guests for attending and celebrating with the bride is to give them small bath bridal shower favors. Many options are available for a range of budgets, including foam toe separators, decorative soaps and fun nail files. Candles are also a wonderful option as well.

A bath-themed bridal shower can be a wonderful way to add some relaxation to everyone's day. Every woman likes to be pampered, and getting the bride-to-be to relax for a day can be one of the best gifts she can receive. Make the day fun and worry-free, and remember to enjoy yourself as well!

Looking for some fabulous bath bridal shower favors? Wedding Favor Saver also has a great selection of inexpensive wedding favors and bridal shower favor ideas.

Bridal Shower Etiquette You Need to Know

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Whether you are a bride, a bridesmaid, or the mother of the bride, you will likely be attending a bridal shower in the near future. Before you get started on the planning, though, there are some important things that you should know. Getting familiar with the proper etiquette of bridal showers in advance will help you to have a lovely event that everyone will enjoy.

The first thing to know is that a bridal shower is definitely a party that is all about giving gifts to the bride. From an etiquette point of view, what this means is that it is not appropriate for a bridal shower to be hosted by a bride's mother or sisters, because it can look like they are grabbing for gifts of her behalf. A better choice for the host is one of the bridesmaids who is not a close relative of the bride's. This does not mean that the bride's family cannot contribute to the shower at all. For instance, if the bridesmaids all live in tiny apartments, the shower could be held at the mother of the bride's home, but with the bridesmaids' names on the invitations as the hosts.

An important thing that the bride should remember is that you cannot ask a friend to have a shower on your behalf. Planning a bridal shower is time consuming and expensive, and although one is usually organized by one or more of the bridesmaids, it is not one of their obligations. Chances are that one of your close friends will step up and offer to host a party for you anyway; just make sure that she does it willingly, not under pressure.

The guest list of a bridal shower should consist only of guests who are actually invited to the wedding. It is the height of rudeness to ask guests to come to a party and give you a gift without including them in the main event. The only possible exception to this is if you work in the type of office that has a cake for every imaginable event. If your co-workers want to get together and toast you before your wedding, that it their prerogative.

Traditional etiquette about shower gifts is that they should be some little item that the bride can use in her new home, or something fun for the honeymoon. In general, a shower gift should be less expensive than the wedding gift, although the trend in recent years has been towards more lavish shower gifts as well. If you are uncertain, you can always ask some of the other guests what type of gifts they are bringing to help you find a price point that will not look too extravagant nor too chintzy. If you know the bride well, a nice idea is to get her something special that she has been eyeing for her wedding. Often a group of bridesmaids will go in together on the more expensive gifts, like a gorgeous set of wedding jewelry.

After the wedding, there is one final piece of etiquette to be observed: writing the thank you notes! It is the bride's duty to handwrite a thoughtful note for all of her wedding gifts, from the most stunning piece of jewelry down to the lowliest potholder. And don't put it off - this is a task that is easiest when it is tackled in the week after the shower. A good tip is to have someone make a list of the gift and the donor's name during the shower. That way, you will be sure not to forget to thank anyone. After all, showing your heartfelt appreciation is always good etiquette!

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Gifts of wedding jewelry are a wonderful idea for a bridal shower gift that the bride will absolutely love.

Fun and Memorable Shower Gifts For the Bride-To-Be

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Traditionally, most brides-to-be are expecting shower gifts that are very helpful when they became housewives. A bride may tend to expect household items that she and her husband-to-be can use when they begin their new life together. These items can be stuff that bride would use to care her husband, and maintain their own home. With this idea, to come up with a bridal shower gift is as easy as going to the house wares section of your local department stores.

However, bridal shower ideas have changed. Traditional gifts are no longer a hit nowadays. Don't be the only one who brings vacuum while everyone else has prepared great bridal shower gift ideas that a modernized bride will really appreciate. Something that can pamper and prepare the bride-to-be for her upcoming event can make an idea preference to come up with a very nice shower present.

Today's brides are no longer from being daddy's little girl, to man's new other behalf. Modern brides are usually independent living their lives on their own for a while, have their own career, and are interested in living in a married life. This will going to be a major commitment, therefore their independent experience mold them, becoming them ready and brave to face a new challenge of life.

The time comes that you, a close friend of bride-to-be, should give something that she wouldn't buy for herself or something she won't remember as her wedding day draws near. Here are few gift suggestions to pamper your friend, the bride-to-be:

* Spa Gift. Spa gift is definitely perfect if to pamper the bride is what you really opt give. Why not treat her in a day at spa? A day of relaxation in a spa or massage parlor can release some of the bride's wedding jitters. You could also give spa collection. For instance, a gift basket filled with relaxing aromas can give her reason to enjoy hours of bathing. A spa basket include shower gels, soaps, lotions, soft towels and even scented candles and other personal items just for her.

* Wedding Survival Kit. Expect that the wedding will gonna be busy, full of excitement as well as surprises that sometimes, good or bad. Think of the things she might not think about as she's getting ready right before the ceremony begins. Give her a wedding survival kit gift, which she might not expect you can give. This idea works well and often used during the last minute preparation of the bride. It include hairspray, perfume, hair clips or pins, brush, lipstick, and anything she or her attendant might need right before the wedding entourage. Place them in a neat carrying case with a special note.

* Sentimental Present. Sentimental gift is a concept that works well for bride's family and best friends. The gift should refer to something that the bride and people that are very close to her heart have shared. Few good ideas are picture frames and photo albums. Include fun and memorable photos that will surely give her a teary eyes. You may consider engraved picture frames or albums that can make a special keepsake as she began to live her new life with a new companion. Other personalized gifts that can carry deep sentiment are engraved jewelry gifts, personalized bridal shirts and handbags.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on bridal shower gifts, visit the website Mybridesmaidsgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Get cool bridal accessories for your bridesmaids!

A Custom Bride T Shirt For Your Reception Or Bridal Shower - Why Not

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Now that it has become so much cheaper and easier to design custom t shirts, people are using them in more and more creative ways. There is nothing that will liven up a bridal shower faster and better than a custom bride t shirt and now you don't have to even drive anywhere to have them produced. With the advent of Internet based custom t shirt companies, its as easy as sitting down at your computer and sending an email with your design in it. The t shirt company will simply load your design into their t shirt printers memory and then quickly and easily print out your shirts.

The Very Latest in Digital Print Technology

Its the very latest in digital print technology that has been adapted to print on fabrics. This means that unlike older style silk screen methods there are no set up or minimum order costs. So, if all that you need is even as few six or seven custom bride t shirts, you can do that and there won't be any added charges for your smaller order.

Portrait Custom Bride T Shirts

Another great thing about this amazing new digital printing technology that Internet based custom t shirt services are using, is that it can print portraits super accurately. This means that you can take a group photo at your bridal shower and have it transferred directly onto your custom bride t shirt that you design and then send one to everyone that attended.

Let Your Mind Wander for Great Ideas

Its so easy to come up with clever ideas for custom t shirts now that they are so easy and affordable to have made. Just let your imagination wander and it won't take long before your head is filled with great concepts for custom t shirts that you can hand out for wedding favors at your wedding reception.

Written by Mandel Drentey. Find the best information on Custom Bride T-Shirt as well as Custom T-Shirt

Wedding Shower Questions

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Who may organise the bride her Wedding Shower?

Any of her friends, often a member of her bridal party, cousins, sister-in-law, aunts, friends of her mother or of the groom's mother, frequently, if she works, staff members of the organization where she is employed. Because gifts are the sole object of a shower, good taste forbids members of either the bride's or the groom's immediate family to give the shower. Note: It is a good plan for friends to consult one another before arranging a shower in order to avoid four or five affairs with the same guests. It is much better to join forces in one or two showers. If a joint shower for the bride and the groom is planned, it should be given jointly by friends of each.

Who is invited to the Wedding Shower?

The bride's friends (those who are close enough to her to want to be included in giving her a present); always all members of the bridal party. The hostess of the shower may invite friends of the bride even though she herself does not know them well, but she does not ask her own friends who do not know the bride well because they would have no reason to bring a gift, but could not very well come without one. Also, the hostess invites the bride's and the groom's mothers and sisters (but they are not expected to bring gifts). If only women are invited to a shower (usually daytime parties), the groom does not participate. Sometimes men are invited to join the shower party after the gifts are opened. On such occasions, the men do not bring gifts. If the shower is a joint one, both the bride's and the groom's friends are invited, including members of the bridal party, the best man and ushers, and the parents of the bride and the groom.

Invitations to showers are not limited to any particular age group. Both the bride's and the groom's friends are likely to be of various ages. If the bride is employed and her office or school gives her a shower, it is not customary to invite those not employed in the organization in which she works.

When is a Wedding Shower given?

Usually six weeks to one month before the wedding. They are planned for any time of the day or evening, according to the kind of party the hostess would like to give.

How are invitations extended to a shower?

They may be telephoned: 'I'm having a linen shower for Mary Smith on Saturday. Come for brunch at one o'clock' or Written on a visiting card:

Everything goes really, except Formal engraved 'fill-in' invitations are never correct.

What should those invited to wedding showers know about gifts?

Everyone invited to a wedding shower gives a present whether able to attend or not. The only exception is when a person happens to be invited who does not know the bride well enough to be interested, in which case the invitation may be declined with a reasonable excuse and a present is not sent. Guests either bring the gifts to the wedding shower personally or send them in advance to the hostess' home. If an invited guest does not attend the shower, he sends the gift to the hostess' home. Bring or send the gift wrapped, although the hostess may re-wrap in uniform gift paper. Enclose the donor's card in every case. Wedding Shower gifts are sometimes given in place of wedding gifts, especially when a shower is given by a bride's co-workers in an organization. Usually, however, the shower gift is in addition to the wedding gift. It is good taste to keep wedding shower gifts small. They should never cause financial strain. Remember that there may be a number of wedding showers. Guests should consult the hostess in advance of the wedding shower date to avoid duplication of gifts. If the hostess suggests the services of a shower consultant in a local department store, gifts may be purchased through her to avoid duplication. Guests should always give the kind of gifts indicated on the invitation and suggested by the hostess. If the gifts are to be any kind of wearing apparel, exact sizes should be learned. Guests do not individually present the gifts to the bride at the shower-the gifts are presented all together, and are opened while the friends watch.

At a joint shower, the women guests give presents to the bride and the men to the groom. Note: Guests never give lingerie at a joint shower.

What does a hostess consider when she decides to give a shower?

She decides whether to give a 'bride's shower,' a 'groom's shower' (although more frequently this kind is given by a host), a 'joint shower,' or one of the 'special' showers.

She consults with the bride's mother about what the bride will need or would like. Also, in order to avoid duplication, she checks with her about the kind of shower some other group of friends may have planned.

She considers especially the advantages o£ the 'important gift' shower. This shower (usually a 'joint' shower but not exclusively so, if one prefers to make it one of the others) is becoming increasingly popular since it costs the individual guests no more than the smaller presents they would ordinarily bring, but gives the bride and groom something they very much want but which they might not be able to afford for years. The invited guests each contribute a small amount of money and the total is used to buy one good gift-an electrical appliance, a piece of furniture, a rug, a fine painting, or a special piece of silver.The hostess also decides whether the shower is to be a surprise and if so, how to make sure it will be.

What kind of party should be the setting for a wedding shower?

A wedding shower may be any kind o£ a party-a breakfast or brunch, luncheon, bridge, afternoon tea, cocktail party, dinner, dance, supper, or evening party.

What kind of refreshments are served, and when?

Wedding Shower refreshments usually are light. The kind, of course, depends upon the type of party-brunch, luncheon, tea, or after dinner. Whatever the refreshments, they are usually served after the gifts are unwrapped.

What are some general ideas for wedding shower decorations and the presentation of gifts?

First plan a color scheme related to the kind of shower to be given. A kitchen shower might be red and white checks; lingerie shower, blush pink and ice blue; wines and liquors, brown and beige.

Decide in what part of the room the gifts are to be arranged, and where the bride will sit to open them. Have a supply of gift wrapping paper in the color scheme to re-wrap all gifts uniformly. Guests may be asked to send their gifts to the hostess' home in advance of the shower day. The new wrapping is put over the original wrapping. Note: If all guests are ordering gifts through the shower consultant of a department store, this consultant will have them wrapped uniformly according to the color theme specified. For decoration and for the refreshment table, be sure to order fresh cut flowers to tie in with the color scheme.

Have a huge laundry bag in the color scheme in which the presents may be carried home.

What about entertainment at wedding showers?

Entertainment may be planned or unplanned. Many people think immediately of games. These should be planned and included only if the group is one that enjoys games. Or, they may be planned, one or two started, but given up if they do not seem to be going over well. It is better to have planned entertainment than to have everyone sitting around stiffly, or to have one or two people doing all the talking. A shower should last about two hours and should consist of the greeting to everyone, a game or general conversation for awhile, unwrapping the gifts, and refreshments. There are a number of good books on this subject which give a wide variety of games, many planned especially for showers.

Should the Bride send any thank-you notes?

The bride thanks each one as she opens her gifts. She may write individual thank-you notes in addition if she wants to, but this is not usually expected. She should write a thank-you note or telephone anyone who sent a gift but did not attend. She should by all means write a thank-you note to the hostess.

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Some Great But Goofy Bridal Shower Gag Gifts

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Gift giving at bridal showers can sometimes turn into a dull and boring event but it doesn't have to be that way. Many brides appreciate and love something out of the ordinary like a gag gift. It is crucial that you know the person well and also know the other people who will be there so that you don't give a gift that might be deemed inappropriate or crude.

In a time of stress from planning the wedding, most brides will probably appreciate the humor and comic relief that comes from a gag gift. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to know the bride and the other guests since a lot of the gag gifts for brides tend to be sexual or naughty. If you have bought a gift like this and the grandmother who is known for her prudishness shows up, you may want to hold onto it and deliver it in private; she might not ten to appreciate the concept of edible panties!

If you talk to the bride and the person putting on the shower and it is deemed that a gag gift exchange would be acceptable then maybe a gag gift exchange party would go over well. The thing that is so cool about this is that everyone gets to participate and each guest will take a gift home that will make them remember the event. To organize an event like this put instructions on the bridal shower invitations for each guest to bring a wrapped gag gift with them to the party. Count the number of guests and create numbered labels with a number for each guest.

Now, you start the exchange by having each guest pick a number and allow them to choose from any of the gifts that you have stacked in a pile in the middle of the room. The person unwraps the gift and shows it to everybody. The succeeding guests have the option to take a previously opened gift or open a new one. This goes on until the last person has opened a gift, at the end the person who went first has the option to keep the gift they have or take one from any other person in the room. It may be a thoughtful consideration to allow the bride this honor.

There are virtually unlimited gag gift ideas that can be found for the bride to be or the gift exchange. It is almost certain that you can find specialty shops in your area for such gifts and if not the internet certainly has anything you could possibly desire online.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about gifts and bridal gift ideas at http://www.specialtygiftsplusmore.com

How to Buy Gifts For a Bridal Shower

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June is the time of year for most weddings, but today many couples elect to have their weddings during other times of year as well in order to escape the crowds. With that being said there are many things to do for an about to be wed couple, among them the bridal shower. How do you get the affianced exactly what she wants? Well, follow the steps in this article to get a better idea.

1. Sometimes the invitation presents the bridal shower theme, which could be "kitchen," meaning that hostess sets and Gorham silverware are ideal presents. Or it could be "crystal" suggesting wine glasses, champagnes flutes, or Swarovski pitchers. "Personal" suggests items that may be for the bedroom, like sexy lingerie or silk jammies. Beware of getting too personal; you don't want to confuse the bachelorette party with the bridal shower.

2. The bridal shower hostess may list where the bride is registered, but if she doesn't do so on the invitation, feel free to call and ask her.

3. If there is no theme, and no registry, think about the bride herself. What does she like to do as a hobby? What is her style, both with regard to clothing and personality? Is she at home in the kitchen? Or does she prefer the garden? There are many options for home furnishing, including items for the bath or bedroom. A beautiful picture frame, for example, would be perfect to house a new wedding portrait. It's important to think about the bride's tastes and preferences.

4. If you don't know the bride very well, ask around to get an idea of what she's like, and what she likes. Call her family, her friends, and the hostess of the bridal shower. You can even ask any of the other invites whether they want to go in with you on a larger gift, to get something extra special for the bride to be.

5. Consider the bows and wrapping paper you use for your gift. Often the bridesmaids use the remaining scraps to hold the bride's bouquet during rehearsal.

6. Get the bride something she will use every day, or at least treasure for special occasions. Reed and Barton silverware, for example, is something that the bride needs, yet won't use all the time. It's a perfect bridal shower gift because unless she's inheriting her grandmother's silverware, she won't put aside the cash it costs to buy a set for her entertaining needs. While functionality is important, quality is even more so. That is, unless the bride is a fun loving lady, and you plan to get her something that accords with her hobbies. And yes, you have to get a bridal shower gift and a wedding gift, a good idea is to get items that complement each other; for example, Gorham silverware for the shower and a set of fine china dinnerware for the wedding. Spend what you can afford and remember to put a to/ from card on your package so that no one else gets the credit for your good taste.

Homeowners love shopping at http://www.SilverSpoonStore.com for elegant fine china dinnerware, hostess sets, and gifts for bridal shower events and more.

Using Bridal Shower Clip Art - Get Creative

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Did you know that there are all kinds of clip art available - for free - online, which you can use to create all kinds of things for your bridal shower? Clip art is easy to work with, and most of it is free!

First, get online, and go to your favorite search engine. Just type in "bridal shower clip art" (you don't even need the quotation marks) and see what comes up. You may have to search first for "bridal clip art". It may depend on the search engine you are using. Take a look at a few of the sites that come up, and see if they have anything that might interest you. For free clip art, you can save it using the following steps:

Right click once on the image

Select "Save Image As...." From the pop up window

Select the folder you want to save the image to, and click "Save".

That's all there is to it! So, what can you do with the image, now that you have it on your own PC? Well, first, I would like to give you some ideas - stuff that you can actually do with the clip art!

There are all kinds of free programs and instructions on the internet. For example, if you have a printer and the right kind of printer paper, you can go to many of the printer manufacturer web sites, such as HP (Hewlett Packard) and get directions for how to make iron on transfers. You can use those directions, and the clip art you chose for your bridal shower, and make something - tee shirts, napkins, aprons, potholder, or just about anything that you can iron on an image to! Say you are having a wedding shower with kitchen items as the theme. You could make special decorations to hang up, with pictures of kitchen items that you got from clip art. Or, you want to make the bridal shower invitations? Find some clip art image that you like, or that relates to your bride-to-be, and you place it on the blank card that you plan to print, to make the card exactly as you want it to look. Using bridal shower clip art, you can personalize the shower for the bride-to-be.

So now you have the clip art image saved on your PC. Now what? Well, open a program called PAINT. It is a graphics program that comes pre-loaded on most PC's. (There are other graphics programs you can use too, if you are familiar with one.) Once PAINT is open, go to the File menu, and select "Open...". Find the clip art image that you saved on your PC, and select that file to open. Now that the image is loaded into PAINT, you can enlarge it, make it smaller, change the font color, add text to it, cut part of the image out, add something to the image, etc. You can play with the image until it is just like you want it, then save the new image.

You can save money by getting creative and using your PC, if you plan your wedding shower in advance. You will need to allow yourself enough time before the wedding shower, to be able to create some special things like this. It's fun, cost effective, and, your bride-to-be will be surprised when you have spent time making the bridal shower personal, by choosing images that relate to her!

Have fun and use your PC. You can do a lot if you simply look up directions or find help online.

Linda Richardson is a web site owner. I have an information-packed web site related to planning and giving the perfect bridal shower. You can visit my site at: http://www.bridalshowerthings.com

A Relaxed Bride is a Happy Bride - How to Unwind With a Spa-Themed Bridal Shower

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Let's face it, every bride-to-be needs some pampering! Planning a wedding can be stressful, with all of the coordinating, last minute changes, and a myriad of people to try to please. Typically most of this stress falls on the bride, who ends up walking down the aisle exhausted and frazzled. When planning this special woman's bridal shower, keep this in mind and consider using a bath or spa theme for the shower to give her a chance to step out of the whirlwind she's caught up in.

This theme can take a few different forms depending on the number of shower guests and the bride's preferences. For a very small group, a day at the spa could make for a very fun outing! Instead of bringing gifts, each guest chips in to help pay for the bride's spa treatments that day. Everyone can enjoy a day at the spa and the bride can relax and enjoy the worry-free attention she's getting. This type of shower works well when the guests consist of immediate family or very close friends. If you want you can make a day of it and plan a night out on the town as well!

While this plan requires a bit of set up to book everyone's appointments, you could forego the day at the spa and still promote the bride's relaxation. You can do this by adding a note on each shower invitation requesting that a small part of the gift include a bath product for the bride. You could even provide examples, such as nail files, bubble bath, massage oil, facial masks, a luxurious hand towel, foot soak, and the list goes on. This way, the bride still gets items that she needs for her home, and she gets a few treats as well, to encourage her to take some time for herself in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding.

A great way to thank your guests for attending and celebrating with the bride is to give them small bath bridal shower favors. Many options are available for a range of budgets, including foam toe separators, decorative soaps and fun nail files. Candles are also a wonderful option as well.

A bath-themed bridal shower can be a wonderful way to add some relaxation to everyone's day. Every woman likes to be pampered, and getting the bride-to-be to relax for a day can be one of the best gifts she can receive. Make the day fun and worry-free, and remember to enjoy yourself as well!

Looking for some fabulous bath bridal shower favors? Wedding Favor Saver also has a great selection of inexpensive wedding favors and bridal shower favor ideas.

How To Throw A Bridal Shower The Bride Will Love

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Is there a special bride-to-be in your life? If you are the lucky friend chosen to plan the pre-wedding festivities, you'll want some ideas on how to throw a bridal shower. The most important thing is to make sure that the guest of honor has a great time.

Your first step will be the invitations. The bride should be able to supply you with a list of friends and family to invite. It's important not to leave out anyone who will be in the bridal procession, since this can lead to hurt feelings at an already stressful time.

Bridal showers can range from crazy, outrageous nights of nonstop partying to civilized tea parties. If the bride is a wild, fun-loving type, a night of drinking in clubs or bars might be appropriate. A day at the spa with close friends followed by an intimate dinner at a great restaurant can be appreciated by almost any bride. Or, the more traditional and popular bridal shower is a quiet gathering in a friend's home with gifts, games and food.

Once you've determined what kind of party your bride wants, you'll need to think about how to throw a bridal shower that she'll remember for the rest of her life. Refreshments are important, so be sure to make plans for food for the bridal shower. The type of food will depend on the setting and activities, but be sure to serve things that the bride likes. Bridal shower cakes are popular, and they can also come in many different varieties. There are cakes made to look like wedding cakes, flowery sheet cakes, or even tons of individual cupcakes.

Gifts for a bridal shower are typically for the bride herself, while the wedding gifts are for the couple or their home. Household items are popular gifts, but jewelry, bath and body care items, or even gift certificates can be appropriate. A bridal shower tradition is for the maid or matron of honor to collect the ribbons and bows from the gift packages and use them to make either a bouquet that the bride will carry at the wedding rehearsal, or a hat for her to wear for the rest of the bridal shower.

Once you've figured out how to throw a bridal shower that the bride will love, make sure that she has a great time. A bridal shower is a great time for the bride to get together with friends and family, so it should be memorable, fun, and relaxing for her. Don't forget to take lots of photographs so that she'll always have a record of the perfect bridal shower that you put so much effort into.

Wedding showers are notable moments for every woman about to be married. Visit us today for more creative details on games for bridal shower and bridal shower finger foods.

Fun and Memorable Shower Gifts For the Bride-To-Be

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Traditionally, most brides-to-be are expecting shower gifts that are very helpful when they became housewives. A bride may tend to expect household items that she and her husband-to-be can use when they begin their new life together. These items can be stuff that bride would use to care her husband, and maintain their own home. With this idea, to come up with a bridal shower gift is as easy as going to the house wares section of your local department stores.

However, bridal shower ideas have changed. Traditional gifts are no longer a hit nowadays. Don't be the only one who brings vacuum while everyone else has prepared great bridal shower gift ideas that a modernized bride will really appreciate. Something that can pamper and prepare the bride-to-be for her upcoming event can make an idea preference to come up with a very nice shower present.

Today's brides are no longer from being daddy's little girl, to man's new other behalf. Modern brides are usually independent living their lives on their own for a while, have their own career, and are interested in living in a married life. This will going to be a major commitment, therefore their independent experience mold them, becoming them ready and brave to face a new challenge of life.

The time comes that you, a close friend of bride-to-be, should give something that she wouldn't buy for herself or something she won't remember as her wedding day draws near. Here are few gift suggestions to pamper your friend, the bride-to-be:

* Spa Gift. Spa gift is definitely perfect if to pamper the bride is what you really opt give. Why not treat her in a day at spa? A day of relaxation in a spa or massage parlor can release some of the bride's wedding jitters. You could also give spa collection. For instance, a gift basket filled with relaxing aromas can give her reason to enjoy hours of bathing. A spa basket include shower gels, soaps, lotions, soft towels and even scented candles and other personal items just for her.

* Wedding Survival Kit. Expect that the wedding will gonna be busy, full of excitement as well as surprises that sometimes, good or bad. Think of the things she might not think about as she's getting ready right before the ceremony begins. Give her a wedding survival kit gift, which she might not expect you can give. This idea works well and often used during the last minute preparation of the bride. It include hairspray, perfume, hair clips or pins, brush, lipstick, and anything she or her attendant might need right before the wedding entourage. Place them in a neat carrying case with a special note.

* Sentimental Present. Sentimental gift is a concept that works well for bride's family and best friends. The gift should refer to something that the bride and people that are very close to her heart have shared. Few good ideas are picture frames and photo albums. Include fun and memorable photos that will surely give her a teary eyes. You may consider engraved picture frames or albums that can make a special keepsake as she began to live her new life with a new companion. Other personalized gifts that can carry deep sentiment are engraved jewelry gifts, personalized bridal shirts and handbags.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on bridal shower gifts, visit the website Mybridesmaidsgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Get cool bridal accessories for your bridesmaids!

Toilet Paper Bridal Shower Game

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This great Bridal Shower Game is perfect for including guests of all ages. Everyone can enjoy this unique game filled with hysterical high-jinx. Have a camera close at hand for the beautiful bridal outfits created by using everyday items found in everyone's household. By using rolls of toilet paper, teams of guests can create lovely original gowns that rival costly couture creations!

The point of this super Bridal Shower Game is to have guests create wedding day outfits out of toilet paper. If you are including both the bride and the groom in your shower, be sure to have teams create male clothing that is appropriate for such formal situations as a wedding. Also, be sure to include the bridal party in the outfit creation-they are sure to feel better about their current bridal wear instead of the toilet paper potential. If flower girls, junior bridesmaids, or ring bearers are present, include the pint sized party members in this super game.

Depending on the size of your crowd, you may need to arrange guests into pairs, triplets, or teams of varying numbers. Have each team design bridal wear for a specific individual. These would include the bride, groom, bridesmaids, maid of honor, best man, ushers, junior bridesmaids, ring bearer, or flower girl. Give each team the appropriate design materials so that they can create a fabulous outfit for this Bridal Shower Game. You may want to include feather dusters, toilet paper, crepe paper, balloons, or any other materials you can think of in the designing of your bridal wear.

When designing the formal wear for this Bridal Shower Game, instruct pairs or teams to include accessories like veils, hats, baskets, corsages, or bouquets. You may also want to have special awards for these extras or have each guest try their hand at making a toilet paper flower. Once all of these flowers have been made, incorporate them into the traditional rehearsal bouquet made for the bride. This Bridal Games is sure to be remembered by all participants.

To complete this super Bridal Shower Game, time each team or pair of designers and limit their design tools. Once the timer sounds, all teams should stop and begin to showcase their outfit. Consider having each wearer model their outfits in a high spirited fashion show. Elect each member of the team to give a commentary on their design.

During the fashion show, provide guests with pen and paper and encourage them to vote on their favorites. If you have many models, create different categories, such as scandalous, sweet, or stunning. Also include categories like best use of toilet paper and most creative. Once everyone has voted on their favorite creations, reward the winning team with special prizes.

Before individuals disrobe from their stunning toilet paper creations, be sure to document each design with a photograph before the outfit is destroyed. This Bridal Shower Game is sure to be a hit with every guest, no matter what their age! Everyone is sure to remember this fun and unique game, so be sure to include it when you are planning for your wedding shower.

If you are planning a small shower with a few guests, have everyone focus their design skills on the bride. Using the materials given, design a beautiful dress the bride *should* wear on her big day. Allow different individuals to focus on specific aspects of the bridal attire, from the dress to the veil to the bouquet to the footwear. Everyone should have a chance to participate in this excellent Bridal Shower Game!

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy currently has a website dealing with Reviews of Coffee Related Products such as coffee makers, espresso makers, coffee, k-cups, and more plus articles on coffee enemas and other coffee and health related topics. He also has a website of Reviews of Small Appliances such as ice cream makers, vacuum cleaners, mixers, irons, toasters, food processors, and many other appliances.

Unique Bridal Shower Gifts - Seven Ideas to Celebrate the Bride-to-Be

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There was a time when a bridal shower was held in order to help the new bride get all the things she would need to start married life. All you had to do was visit the housewares section, or choose something off the registry list, and you were finished. But, these days, many brides have already been living on their own before their wedding.

Instead of getting a bride's home ready for becoming a wife, the focus shifts to helping the bride herself. Bridal showers have become a time for women to get together and pamper the bride-to-be as well as to prepare her for married life. And that leaves a doorway for all kinds of unique gifts. Here are seven tips and ideas to make sure you give a memorable gift for your next bridal shower.

1. In this modern era, many engaged brides and grooms are paying for their own wedding and their own honeymoons. What would your bride love to have - but wouldn't buy for herself during this time in her life? Make some notes and, if necessary, get together with friends to purchase something that the bride will really enjoy. Another idea is to chip in to purchase something for the honeymoon - a romantic daylong getaway, for example, that the couple may not think they can afford on their own.

2. Some of the most popular bridal gifts are those that will help the bride-to-be remember the good times you have shared together. Create a collage or visit a photo processing website and create an album. Or simply frame your favorite photograph of yourself with the bride and include a sentimental message on the back.

3. Create a personalized gift basket for the bride. Fill the basket with her favorite pampering treats, including crèmes and lotions or her favorite fragrance, which she can wear on her wedding day. For a really memorable gift, include a gift certificate to her favorite spa so she can enjoy a little pampering a day or two before the big day - especially during the hectic days before the wedding.

4. Another very popular bridal shower gift is lingerie. Try to coordinate the lingerie with the theme of the couple's honeymoon destination.

5. Give her a wedding day survival kit. You can purchase one of these already assembled from various online retailers, or you can make your own. Include anything that she might need just before the big day: hair spray, hair clips, her favorite bath gel, mints, deodorant, double-sided tape, and so on. Place all the essentials you can think of in a train case or other nice carrying case with a sentimental note.

6. Make something. Add a personal touch (and keep the costs down) by making something just for the bride-to-be. If you are handy with a needle and thread, see if there is something the bride would like you to make: a bridal veil, for example. Or perhaps you could help with the flowers or the centerpieces. Offer to create some favors or decorations, or, if you are a scrapbooker or a photographer, take some photographs of the days and weeks leading up to the wedding and create a keepsake album.

7. Think back to your own bridal shower - or any shower in recent memory. What bridal shower gifts drew the most ooh's and aah's from the other guests? Paying attention to things like this (and noting them at the time) will make you a great gift giver, in bridal showers, birthdays, and every other occasion, as well.

The key when trying to figure out a perfect bridal shower gift is to keep your focus on the bride and your personal relationship. Anything that celebrates the bride, or your relationship with her, as well as those items that contribute to her wedding day or honeymoon, will be perfect.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares coupons and promotions for SpaFinder Gift Certificates and ideas for personalized bridal shower favors