Often, people have difficulty selecting a bridal shower gift. Many times, guests at a wedding shower may be distant relatives or friends or family of the groom.
They may not know the bride as well as others attending the shower, and still want to purchase a gift that is impressive and memorable.
Here are ten classic wedding shower ideas and ten contemporary bridal shower gift ideas.
The Top Ten Classic Bridal Shower Gifts
- Kitchen appliances, such as blenders, mixers, toasters, etc.
Any type of gift designed to create a home is a good idea. Stand around your home or kitchen and think, "What is the one thing I just could not live without in my kitchen, bathroom, or living room?" Once you have made that decision, consider gifting something similar. Remember to get a gift receipt and include it with the gift.
Contemporary Bridal Shower Gift Ideas
Contemporary gifts are generally a bit more risque than traditional gifts. They imply a sense of whimsy and adventure. If you know of a particular hobby that the couple enjoys, consider giving them a gift that ties in with that hobby.
The Top Ten Contemporary Wedding Shower Gifts
- Season tickets for two to a sporting event
- Matching his and her robes
- Subscription to the local newspaper
Wedding Gift Ideas
When deciding upon the perfect wedding gift, it is important to remember that wedding gifts should be gifts that both the bride and groom can use together. If you absolutely cannot think of a single thing to get the happy couple, or if you do not know them very well, you can always ask and find out if they are registered at a particular store.
If so, then you can either call the stores where they are registered or you can log in online and pick a gift to give that they have selected for their registry. Usually, the couple will register for gifts that range from inexpensive to very expensive. Keep in mind that a registry is not a list of required gifts, it is merely a wish list that the couple has selected together.
If you prefer other types of gifts, there are other options:
Money
While cash can seem impersonal, it is always appreciated by a new couple just starting out. The majority of couples are saving for some type of big-ticket item. It may be a house or a car, or perhaps they are struggling with student loans. While etiquette states quite clearly that it is rude for a couple to request cash gifts, it is not rude to give cash gifts.
A Timeless Wedding Gift
This should be something that the couple will treasure forever. A handmade quilt that they can hang on their wall or snuggle under together on a cold night is one example. Other examples include a piece of fine art such as an oil painting or sculpture, an antique piece of furniture such as a rocking chair or secretary, or perhaps a family heirloom that they can keep and eventually pass down.
Upgrade the Honeymoon
Find out from a close friend or relative where the couple will be staying or what flight they are on. Arrange for their airline seats to be upgraded to first class, or upgrade their room to a suite. If they are already traveling first class and have a suite, then purchase gift certificates to one of the finer restaurants at their destination. Complimentary spa certificates or flowers and champagne delivered to their room are also a nice touch.
Breakfast in Bed
Purchase a breakfast-in-bed tray and add a basket of waffle mixes, syrups, homemade jams and jellies, and a waffle iron. Include gourmet coffee and teas and a coffee grinder in the package. Adding a bud vase and a subscription to the Sunday paper makes for many long, lazy, weekend mornings.
A Good Night's Sleep
Sounds a little difficult doesn't it? Have you ever stayed in a luxury hotel with soft, fluffy pillows and snuggly, down comforters? That provides some of the best sleep ever. Make a package that consists of two of the most luxurious pillows you can find. Add a package of Egyptian-cotton sheets with a high thread count and then complete the gift with a thick, downy comforter.