However, if you find yourself planning an upcoming bridal shower on a budget, have no fear: It’s entirely possible to plan a tasteful, fun and sentimental gathering without breaking the bank. Here are five time-saving and cost-cutting ways to throw a beautiful bridal shower:

Invitations
It can be tempting to blow your entire budget for the party on the invitations, but consider saving money (and time) by sending them electronically. Web sites like Pingg.com make sending invitations and tracking responses electronically a breeze. And with an enormous online image database, it’s almost guaranteed that even the pickiest planner will find the perfect invitation design.

Food
Skip hours of baking and frosting and provide your guests with a creative and low-fat ice cream cake. Ice cream sandwiches from The Skinny Cow look sweet when stacked in a pyramid and topped with creative garnishes. Your guests will be thankful for a low-fat snack option, and you will have time to actually enjoy the party. Sandwiches come in strawberry shortcake, chocolate, vanilla, vanilla/chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, mint and cookies n’ cream flavors. Use one flavor for a consistent look or mix and match flavors for extra guest options.

Drink
Sangria is an unexpected and delicious drink to serve at your shower. Added bonus: the ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find. You can even substitute grape juice and seltzer water for wine for a tasty non-alcoholic version. The only other ingredients required are slices of fresh fruits such as oranges, pears and peaches, and about 1/4 cup of sugar. For variations on the classic recipe, check out Cooks.com or AllRecipes.com

Games
Rework an old classic by playing a game of Bridal Shower Bingo. First, create copies of a blank grid resembling a bingo card. As the guests arrive, have them fill out the grid with gifts that they think the bride will receive. (The free space is in the middle and players can write their own gift in this space.) As the bride opens a gift, players cross it off their bingo card. Award a prize to the first person to fill five spaces in a row, across or diagonally.

Favors
Pamper your guests with homemade body scrubs in simple, elegant glass mason jars. You can even customize the recipe below to include your favorite scents and colors.

Homemade Body Scrub

You will need:
3 cups Epsom salt (or coarse sea salt)
1 cup oil (almond, canola or olive oil usually works best)
Essential oils for fragrance
Mason jars

Instructions:
First, measure out your salt and pour into a large container. Measure out the oil and slowly pour into the salt while stirring. Finally, add the essential oil to the desired strength. Attach any desired ribbons, hang tags or other decorations to the outside of the jar.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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First, don’t spend too little on a gift. Remember that everyone will probably be watching as the bride opens all of her gifts. If you have simply gone to a dollar store and picked up one item, the other guests will notice and so will the bride. Chances are very good that they will think you don’t care about the bride or about her union with her partner. Choose something that is nice, possibly off of one of her registries, and spend as much as you feel the other guests will be spending.

Conversely, don’t spend too much on the gift. Again, everyone will be watching, and if you have spent a lot, people might think you are showing off instead of purchasing the bride things she will need in her new life. Moreover, spending too much might make the other guests feel bad. A wedding shower is not the time for a lavish gift. If you feel the need to purchase the bride and groom a gift that doesn’t fit in with the wedding shower price range, you might try giving that gift as a wedding gift instead.

It is a poor idea to give a gift that might embarrass a bride during her wedding shower. For example, if the bride’s family will be in attendance, it is probably not a good idea to give her a box of sexy lingerie. You risk an awkward moment for you, the bride, and the other guests. No one wants to feel awkward during a wedding shower. Wedding showers are designed to make the bride feel good about starting her new life with the groom, and giving gifts that make her feel awkward about the whole process is just poor manners.

Don’t include a copy of the receipt for the gift.  You run the risk of suggesting that the bride would want to take back your gift. This might embarrass or offend her. The last thing you want to do during a wedding shower is offend the bride. If you are worried that the bride might not appreciate your gift-of-choice, get something that is on one of her registries. This way she gets what she wants and if there is some sort of problem with the gift, the store where she registered will take it back.

Don’t give cash as a wedding shower gift. Offering cash is rude. It suggests that the bride cannot handle her own expenses. It also suggests that you don’t value the shower enough to put the time or the effort into getting a gift that the bride will enjoy and use in her new life.

If the wedding shower has a theme, and the hostess has requested that you bring gifts that fit that theme, it is poor etiquette to ignore the hostess’ request. Don’t go out and get something completely off topic if your hostess has requested something specific. For example, if the hostess is giving a kitchen shower, bringing bath towels because you didn’t want to put the time into a more suitable gift is a bad idea.

If you plan to order the bridal shower gift, don’t have it shipped directly to the bride. It is tradition that all of the gifts will be opened in front of the other guests. If you have it shipped to the bride, not only will you not have a gift to give directly to the bride at her shower, the bride will also not have the pleasure of having everyone else see the gift you have given her.

There are a number of serious errors to avoid when you get ready to purchase your bridal shower gift. Making sure you steer clear of these problems can help to ensure that the bride has the smoothest happiest shower she possibly could. For best results, stick to the shower’s theme and the gift registry, and you too, can make the happiest possible bride.

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Lingerie is a great gift that the bride to be will love and is sure to please the groom to be as well! Have the lingerie personalized with the bride’s new initials or a special phrase that will mean something special to the couple. Bathrobes for the couple can be personalized with the usual names but what about something that indicates they are newly weds, perhaps a cute little drawing done by you the gift giver? Maybe you could write a poem to the special couple. Pajamas are another wonderful little gift that can be personalized with a unique appliqué, a set of wedding rings or a bride and groom having their first kiss along with the wedding date of the couple to be.

Candles symbolizing the colors of milestone anniversaries are another way to give a personal touch to a wedding shower gift. For example buy a bunch of candles in a variety of colors and write a special instruction sheet to accompany them. The instructions could include things such as a color chart and a timeline for burning, such as, “Red is for passion, burn these on your first night together.” Wine glasses and picture frames are another great gift that can be personalized with the wedding date or couple’s name. In the picture frame you could also add a picture of you and the bride to be or a picture of the happy couple. A welcome mat with the bride and groom’s new shared last name would be a great idea for a gift that could be given at a party focused on the bride and groom to be.

If you are a crafty person the possibilities for a personalized gift are endless. Just knowing that you crafted the gift yourself will tell the bride to be that you care enough to make a personal gift just for her. As a hostess of a bridal shower you could purchase a scrapbook and pages to go in it. Send the pages to each of the guests and ask them to create a page just for the bride to be. When they come to the bridal shower they can place the pages into the scrapbook and the bride to be will have a memory of all of her friends and family that made the pages. Another personal gift that the guests at the bridal could all contribute to is a cutting board signed and personalized with little messages by all the bridal shower guests. After everyone has signed the cutting board you may want to put a clear coat on it to protect it but the bride to be will probably just display the cutting board in her new kitchen. If you are a hobbyist craft painter maybe you would want to paint a mailbox for the bride and groom to be. You could paint on their house numbers, shared last name, or get creative and maybe paint it with the couple’s wedding color and they could use it for cards at the wedding reception.

Personalized bridal shower gifts are a great idea and can really show the bride and groom to be how special they are to you. No matter what gift you give remember that it is not the gift that counts but the thought you put into it. Try to get the couple or bride to be something that has a purpose.

 

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Understanding the Bridal Shower Theme Basket

A bridal shower theme basket is a combination of items that are related to each other in one way or another.  The items can be useful or fun, serious or whimsical, romantic or funny, or they can be traditional or nontraditional.  The bridal shower theme basket can be created in any way that reflects your feelings or personality, as well as those of the bride-to-be.

Destination Theme Baskets

If you know where the bride and groom will be heading for their honeymoon, consider putting together a destination theme basket.  For example if the happy couple will be going to Hawaii for their honeymoon or even if they are having a Hawaiian-themed wedding, you can put together a Hawaii basket.  In this basket, you can include items such as a Tiki bar handbook describing drinks and appetizers, Hawaiian scented candles, hula girl glasses, and Hawaiian skincare products such as moisturizers, scrub, and sunscreen.

Cooking Theme Baskets

If the bride-to-be loves to cook or needs a little encouragement in the department, you might want to consider a cooking theme basket.  The possibilities for this sort of themed basket are quite varied.  For instance, if she likes to cook on the grill, you might put together a theme basket containing barbeque spices, an apron, a master grill set, and gift certificates for meat.  If she is a gourmet chef, provide her with a basket filled with a variety of herbs.  Baking baskets filled with mixing bowls, whisks, and other baking supplies are also a great idea.  Or, get more specific with an Italian basket.  In this basket, you might include Italian herbs and seasoning, spaghetti sauce, dish towels, a pasta scooper, spaghetti noodles, and a strainer.

Romantic Baskets

Considering the bride-to-be will be soon embarking on one of the most magical and romantic nights of her life, you might want to help her along the way with a romantic basket.  For example, create a basket with a bottle of champagne, two champagne glasses, and candles, a CD of romantic music, bath oils, bubble bath, and massage oils.  You might even through in some lingerie or something naughty, depending on the group that will be attending the bridal shower.  Or, create a basket for a night in the tub with washrags, towels, bubble bath, candles, and bath toys.  Another fun “couples” basket is one set up for an evening together, containing a gift certificate for a movie rental, a gift certificate for pizza, microwave popcorn, theater candy, and soda.

Another romantic idea is a basket of candles.  But, these aren’t just any ‘ole candles.  These candles are specially selected – 12 candles for the first 12 months together.  A white candle is for the night of the honeymoon, pink is for the first Valentine’s Day, green is for the first St. Patrick’s Day (for the luck of the Irish), purple is for the first Easter, red/white/blue is for the first 4th of July (to keep the “fireworks” alive), blue is for the first Veteran’s Day (this is particularly meaningful for a military wife), orange is for the first Thanksgiving, red is for the first Christmas, yellow is for the first New Year, burgundy is for the first company dinner, light blue is for the first fight, and cream is for the first anniversary.

Helpful Baskets

If you wish to go with a more practical, yet fun, approach, you might want to consider a basket of household supplies.  In this case, the basket should be a laundry basket.  The laundry basket should then be filled with helpful household items that you can never seem to have enough of, such as paper towels, tin foil, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and Ziploc bags.  Or, create a basket of those little things you never think about until you need them, like pens, twist ties, light bulbs, toothpicks, gum, and dental floss.

Hobby Baskets

A basket consisting of items pertaining to the bride-to-be’s hobby is another great idea.  If she likes sports, painting, photography, or scrapbooking, fill a basket with supplies typical to these hobbies.  Or, maybe she would be interested in having her own tools to keep around the house.  Whatever her hobby, there are bound to be an abundance of supplies you can purchase.

Miscellaneous Baskets

Other theme baskets you can create are ones centered on a certain time of day, such as a dinnertime basket, breakfast, or bedtime.  Another great themed basket idea is to create a basket of “Everything you will need from A to Z.”  With this basket, you purchase something for every letter of the alphabet (such as aluminum foil for A, bath soaps for B, etc.) and attach a note explaining the letter of the alphabet each one represents.

 

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Most brides will probably appreciate the humor in a gag gift. Since many bridal gag gifts tend to be on the naughty side, know the bride and her personality. Also, before breaking out any gifts that might be offensive, find out who might be at the shower. It may not be such a great idea to give that edible underwear if great Aunt Edna will be at the shower. The shower may not be a good time for laughable gifts; then you might try to hold a separate “girls night out” or bachelorette party where such gifts will be more appropriate.

If you do decide on giving gag gifts during a bridal shower, one fun way to do this might be to host a gag gift exchange party. This is a great way to get all the guests involved and better yet, everyone walks away with a party favor they will always remember. On your invitations instruct each guest to bring a wrapped gag gift. Consider having a spending limit so each gift has the same value. Before the gag gift exchange begins, count the number of guests that brought a gag gift and label slips of paper with a number for each guest. Next, have each guest draw a number and place all of the gifts in the center of the room. Start with the person that drew number one. That person is allowed to pick any gift from the center that they choose. They will un-wrap the gift and show it to everyone. The person that has number two has the choice to either take away the un-wrapped gift or un-wrap a new one. Each person takes a turn doing this. If the participants are having a great time, it will be fun to watch them “steal” gifts from other guests during the game. After the last person has un-wrapped a gift, the person that went first has the option to keep the gift in their hand or take any gift from any person in the room.

There are many variations of this game. Guests can opt to give the bride their gift instead of taking it home with them. You can also establish categories that the gifts should fit into, such as movies, clothing, food or music. If you want to steer away from the “naughty” items, make sure you make that clear on the invitation. Some hosts may also choose to change the rules a little by allowing a gift to be stolen only two or three times during the course of the game. This is a good option if the time is limited.

There are many fun and silly gag gifts that are perfect for the bride-to-be or to use for a gag gift exchange game for a bridal shower. Many party stores and specialty shops carry funny gag gifts. It is also easy to order silly gag gifts from online companies. Here are a few suggestions that might keep shower guests laughing well after the shower is over.

Marriage Survival Kit: You can purchase kits like these from stores, or you can put one together yourself. Things to include might be a book on how to get along with your spouse, aspirin, massage lotion, a book about new things to try in the bedroom and racy lingerie.

Lingerie: If you know the bride’s size, lingerie can be a perfect gag gift. Look for something that the bride would not buy for herself. You might also try to find the groom a matching pair of boxer shorts. There are also many styles of humorous underwear and panties for both the bride and the groom.

Coupon Books: Make a coupon book for the bride-to-be to give to her new husband. Think of things that will make both of them laugh. Maybe include a coupon for a massage or a bubble bath. You can even include coupons for a movie night, dinner at a favorite restaurant, a candle lit dinner at home, a chore around the house, or even one night of watching what she wants to watch on television. Get creative and these coupons will be a big hit.

 

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The first thing you should think about is the type of gift you are giving at the bridal shower. The main gifts would probably be kitchen items, decorating items, bath sets, and gift certificates. Once you know what part of the house the gift is geared towards start thinking of things that you find in that room that would be suitable to wrap or package the bridal shower gift in. If the gift you are giving is a bedroom item maybe some pretty pillow cases would work really well for an alternative wrapping idea. Wrapping creatively is simple and just takes a little imagination. Wrapping with alternative items also reduces waste and clean up for the hostess of the bridal shower.

Bath sets and other bathroom items like perfume or candles could be wrapped up in a nice bath robe or a nice plush bath towel. To wrap a bottle of perfume you could fold the robe up nicely and tuck the perfume bottle in the top and affix it all with a huge ribbon. Alternatively you could roll up the perfume in a large fluffy bath towel and again tie it with a ribbon. This idea will work for candles, bubble bath and any other small bathroom or even bedroom themed gifts like picture frames.

Maybe you are going with a gift of cleaning supplies to start the new couple off right. Wrapping this could be dine by placing all of the cleaning supplies in a wicker laundry basket and wrapping it all up with some cellophane and of course a nice big ribbon. Some people give a gift of gourmet food, wine, or coffees. These items can be creatively packaged in a nice soup pot. Wine could be given in a wine chiller or insulated wine sleeve made for transporting. Pots and pans can be a useful tool for a unique and creative way to give any bridal shower gift.

A nice flannel or pretty bed sheet set can also be used for a creative gift wrap. Sheet sets could be folded and stacked from largest, the sheets, to the smaller, pillow cases and a picture frame could be tucked inside. Tie it up with a ribbon and you have a creative gift. Sheet sets would work great for candles, lingerie and even kitchen utensil gifts.

If you are giving a quilt or blanket as a bridal shower gift there really is no need to wrap it. Just fold it up nicely and affix it with a bow. There are so many gifts that really do not need to be wrapped, if the item itself is beautiful then by all means take advantage of that. Just dress it up with some bows or ribbons and don’t forget the card.

Craft paper is very useful for many things. You can use this simple paper to transform a boring wrapping job into something creative and personalized by writing a personal message to the bride to be on it. Write the message in different styles and colors and use it to wrap the gift. Crinkle the paper to give it an antique or used look, it works! Newspaper articles geared towards weddings and engagements is another creative thing to use as wrapping paper for a bridal shower gift. To make it extra special try and find the bride and groom’s wedding announcement in the local newspaper.

Wrapping a bridal shower gift creatively just takes a little imagination. Follow the guidelines above or use the suggestions and you will have a beautiful and useful wrap for the gift you give. These ideas can be made as simple or as elaborate and you would like. It all depends on the time you want to spend on the gift itself. When deciding on a wrap always keep the couple or bride to be in mind and think of things they would find useful.

 

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Household gifts are a timeless choice when it comes to bridal showers. A laundry basket filled with household cleaners wrapped in cellophane would be a wonderful gift for the bride to be that is moving to her own house for the first time. A similar gift would be a nice wicker basket filled with non-perishable foods that would be handy in case the bride and groom are short on time after the honeymoon. A recipe box with plenty of recipes for every occasion is another great clever, but yet classic, gift for a young couple just beginning their lives together. Bath towels and wash clothes may be on the registry but are still a great gift for most newlyweds. If you want to focus on the bride and want a gift to make her feel special you could get her a gift basket of bubble bath and other great smelling lotions and such. Christmas ornaments are another great classic gift that many people do not realize a newlywed couple would need. How many of celebrated our first Christmas with our new husband with some really beautiful Christmas ornaments? Picture frames are another great classic gift that any newlywed could use. The picture frame could be geared towards the wedding theme or maybe the couples honeymoon trip or even their pet if they have one.

Clothing attire is also a classic choice; it can be just for the bride to be or for both the bride to be and the groom to be. Matching flannel pajamas for the couple would be a fun and yet practical wedding shower gift. Maybe get the bride to be flannel pajamas with the feet in them. If the couple lives in a warmer area of the world maybe you could buy them a gift of extra large beach towels. Beach towels would be a great idea as the couple would more than likely have a use for them on the honeymoon. A nice accompaniment to the beach towels could be a bottle of suntan lotion or sun block for that tropical honeymoon. A nice comfy bath robe would be another classic gift the bride to be would probably not think of for herself. Give her a nice bottle of luxurious bubble bath or bath beads with the robe. Slippers for the couple would be a cute and useful idea as well. Personalize then with monogram of the newlywed’s initials or simply “Mr.” and “Mrs.”

You could also choose to go with a more unique gift. A picnic basket with all the necessary dishes, wine glasses, napkins, checkered picnic blanket and utensils necessary for a romantic picnic would be a wonderful gift. You could get the couple a nice wine chiller with a nice bottle of wine. Board games such as Monopoly or Sorry would be a great classic gift that a newlywed couple would not think to register for.

Buying a bridal shower gift can be very fun and it should be. You do not have to give wash clothes and spoons. Not everyone needs pots and pans; make the gift fun and unique, but you can still keep it classic. Whether you go with a household gift, clothing, or something completely original the bride to be and groom to be will appreciate the effort. If you choose to use the bride’s gift registry maybe you could put your own unique touch the gift by wrapping it uniquely or having it personalized.

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Bridal showers are traditionally given to “shower” a bride-to-be with gifts for her new married life. In the past, it was tradition to give gifts that would help a woman with her new home. Now, things are changing. Showers are given to include the men and gifts are becoming less traditional. Some hostess may choose to set a theme and ask guests to bring a gift that relates to the theme. Some brides may not need a lot of items for their home and ask that gifts not be given. If you are hosting a bridal shower, it is always a good idea to seek the opinion of your bride before sending out invitations.

Wedding gifts and bridal shower gifts are not the same thing. Wedding gifts are given at the wedding and shower gifts are given at the shower. Generally, wedding guests who do not attend the bridal shower will bring a gift to the wedding. Guests who do attend the shower are not expected to bring a gift to the wedding. In addition, it is not proper wedding etiquette to ask for or mention gifts in the invitation to the wedding. It is improper to put the bride and groom’s registry location on the wedding invitation, but it is proper to include that information on the shower invitation.

When attending a bridal shower, it is important to know that gifts can be elaborate or casual. This might depend on the type of shower that is being given. As a host, you will set the tone of the shower and the wishes of the bride and groom will be included on the invitation.

If the bride and groom need many items for a new home, then guests may choose to buy gifts off the couple’s registry list. A registry list is a list of items that are pre-selected by the bride and groom. Generally, large department stores and retail stores have registry options. The list will give guests a detailed list of what they couple needs and the price. When the item is purchased, it will be taken off the list. It is not necessary for a guest to purchase off the registry list to attend a shower. Guest may choose to give gift cards, money, or other items that they know will be appreciated by the bride and groom.

In addition, it is perfectly acceptable for bridal shower guests to chip in to purchase a larger and more expensive item, such as a washer or dryer or even a television. Large gift purchases are a perfect way for guests to give the amount they feel is appropriate while still buying the couple a gift that is needed. If you are a hostess and chose to buy a large item, include that information on the invitation. You might want to give the couple a gift card so they can pick out the item. If this is the case, have each person send you the money before the shower and sign a card at the shower. You might find that you are low on the donations. If this happens you can call those you feel might be willing to donate more money, such as the bride’s relatives. If you have more money than you need to for the item, use the leftover money to purchase items that relate to the big-ticket item.

When you are the hostess, it will also be your job to make sure the gifts are opened at the appropriate time during the shower. Usually this is done as the last activity. Also, appoint someone to write down each guest and the gift they give the bride while she is opening the presents. Make a copy for her so she can make her thank you cards. You might even consider giving her a list of all of the addresses so she will not be pressed for time right before the wedding.

 

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