Unique Shower Ideas?!?

[jszy10]

Hey girls!!  I was talking with one of my bridesmaids today about starting to think about my shower, and she simply replies "Please just promise me you'll do the un-wrapped gifts thing...watching brides open gifts is complete torture!" ... and it sort of made me uncomfortable.  I have been to ALL of my friends showers, I KNOW how boring it can be, but she is so set on me doing a "Display Shower" and I am feeling sort of uncomfortable with the whole idea. 

 

For those who might be new to this, a display shower is when you ask guests to bring their gifts not wrapped with a card that identifies who it is from, therefore taking away the long process of unwrapping gifts one by one.  I think I might hate this idea!?!  I sort of feel like then it really does become the whole idea of "ok, bring me gift..don't bother wrapping it...i'll just take it home."

 

Anyway, she asked me to bring it up to my Maid of Honor, but I don't think I really even want to consider it? 

 

In addition, she is like dead set that ALL bridals showers need to have alcohol and that she has never been to one that hasn't had it...so she is pushing for that as well.  While I have never been to one that has had alcohol, I'm not apposed to having it, but if its in my church, its not possible.

 

So ultimately...I would love your thoughts on the whole concept, but I would also LOVE some other suggestions on how to maybe switch something up from the norm and try to figure out a way to keep everyone entertained throughout the whole party!?

 

Any feedback would be great!  Thanks so much!!

[wendyL77]

Ummm i actually hate that idea. Is this girl really young? She sounds a bit immature to me. Sure she might now like sitting through that but perhaps some of your older relative and friends might like it. I dont like sitting through it, but I know what to expect when I go. I think the other way is a little rude, myself. 

Sorry, i dont have any other sugestions on spicing it up. Perhaps some interactive games.  

[jszy10]

Right!?!  She is only like a year or two younger than me...but she is very "modern" and outspoken.  I love her to death, but she projects a lot of what she would do to my wedding, and I'm a sucker for trying to make everyone happy..which is probably my worst quality, but it will never change.  My family would never understand it, and I know that especially since some of these people are only invited to my AHR and not my actual wedding, they are going to want some sort of normalcy and pre-wedding celebration with me.  and I definitely believe they are worth every minute of me appreciating their generous gifts!

 

My MOH basically said "look...most people don't go to showers because they LOVE to...but they love you...and they want to celebrate you and your upcoming wedding."  and I agree!

[johnnmakenzie11]

Yea that seems like a really bad idea. If someone told me to bring a gift but dont bother wrapping it, I would be offended!! 

 As far as the alcohol goes, I plan on having it! It may be the only way I can handle dealing with my family!! lol 

[mmcst38]

It definitely sounds to me that you don't like the idea of a display shower at all, so don't go along wiht it to please her, I'm sure you have sone many things you didn't want to for others weddings/showers...and IMO I definitely would feel uncomfortable doing that.  As far as alcohol goes if its in your church then yes alcohol is out but if you are somewhere else then maybe you cna have on signature drink, maybe soemthing that is from the area your DW is being held..ie mexico..margaritas, jamaica rum punch..etc..that way its not a whole open bar.

[jszy10]

Originally Posted by johnnmakenzie11 

If someone told me to bring a gift but dont bother wrapping it, I would be offended!! 

 

That is what I was thinking!?  It feels extremely rude to pretty much imply that I just want your gifts, but I don't want to waste time unwrapping them!?!?!  I have been considering having "gifts optional" put on my invitations anyway since I really don't want people who are coming to Mexico to buy me anything...

 

Originally Posted by mmcst38 

 

It definitely sounds to me that you don't like the idea of a display shower at all, so don't go along wiht it to please her, I'm sure you have sone many things you didn't want to for others weddings/showers...and IMO I definitely would feel uncomfortable doing that.  As far as alcohol goes if its in your church then yes alcohol is out but if you are somewhere else then maybe you cna have on signature drink, maybe soemthing that is from the area your DW is being held..ie mexico..margaritas, jamaica rum punch..etc..that way its not a whole open bar.

 

 

Thanks, I am almost positive I would fee uncomfortable doing that to, and I actually did say that to her with a list of reasons why.

 

I would definitely love to have a signature drink!  I am hoping it works out that we can find a location that is alcohol-friendly.  My grandparents own an italian restaurant, so I know I could have it there...i'm just not sure if I want to invite some of my family to our own family's restaurant?  Seems sort of odd.

[skp1]

I have never heard of this concept and it seems pretty rude.  Sure, it can get tiresome watching someone open gifts but that's part of the social aspect of the shower.  It spurs conversation and games can be mixed in. 

 

I was the MOH about 2 years ago for my friend who wanted a not-typical shower (IE not all about opening gifts).  We had the party in a private room at Dave & Busters and one of the favors was a $5 game card.  I have to say, most people just stayed in the room and chatted - we had a lot of cards left over at the end.  So I wouldn't waste too much time trying to think of ways to entertain everyone - people know what to expect at a shower and most are happy to just catch up.  And there wasn't alcohol at the shower, but if anyone wanted something they were free to order it at the bar outside.  Seemed to work out OK.  A few people ended up staying afterwards to play.  And a few husbands came and hung out at the bar/pool table area. 

[Maritza919]

Now for showers everyone wraps in clear. You can still make it pretty with bows and ribbon. Just makes it so there's not a hassle in unwrapping gifts which can be a pain. Christmas tree sells the clear wrap for like $2 a roll. Usually they'll write on the invitations " please be a dear and wrap in clear". Hopefully that's helps

[MDLady]

I wouldn't dream of telling my guests on HOW to wrap the presents!  I agree, very rude.  Just like at a baby shower, yes, it takes time but it's fun for the bride and it's about HER.  For your friend who is pushing her ideas onto your wedding, you will need to put your foot down.  Otherwise people like that tend to take over the process and make it about them.  Do what YOU feel comfortable and happy doing.  If she doesn't have the time/patience to sit through opening of the gifts, perhaps she could leave early.  I think it's just so RUDE for people to tell a bride what she should do on HER wedding!!!!!  Outrageous.

[mekanabr]

I agree with all these ladies!  I would be offended if someone told me how I needed to wrap my gift or tell me I couldn't wrap it at all.  I love seeing people unwrap gifts that I have given them, I think it's half the fun of giving someone a gift is the surprise when they finally see what is under all that wrap.  Plus, although I don't love it, but every bridal shower I've been to there is always some sort of game associated with the ribbons from the gifts...ie- the number of ribbons you have to cut is how many kids you and hubby will have.  You definitely need to let her know you are not comfortable with that idea!

 

I am the MOH in my best friends wedding a month after mine and since I live 600 miles from my hometown now...we are doing bridal shower/bach party all in one weekend.  We are planning a Friday evening Cocktail style "Stock the Bar" Bridal Shower.  We are going to have a few sig cocktails to serve throughout the evening and we are asking people to bring items to stock the happy couples bar.  Since her and her fiance live together they have a lot of stuff for their house already, so we thought this would be a little more fun.  This is what we are putting on the invites:

 

A bottle of red or a bottle of white

Maybe tequila & Salt for a mararita delight

Glasses, napkins, or an ice bucket too.

We'll stock their bar before they say "I Do"

 

Obviously, the stock the bar party is only if you are comfortable and able to serve drinks at your shower but there are a ton of great ideas from this invitation site for bridal showers:  http://www.myexpression.com/bridal-shower-invitations.cfm

 

Hope this helps!