Wedding Shower and Bridal Shower Gifts

What is a Wedding or Bridal Shower?

The bridal or wedding shower is a ancient ritual of "showering" the bride and groom with gifts, since the couple did not usually have anything to start their new life. It's quite common for a bride to have more than one shower, and while traditionally in the United States, the wedding shower has been for the bride only, recently co-ed wedding showers are much more common. They are usually thrown by friends or someone in the wedding party, and many times are surprise parties for the bride (and groom). You may be invited to more than one shower, however, it's typically only expected that you attend one - the exception to this might be a work party. Bridal showers are typically only for close friends of the bride and not every woman invited to the wedding.

What is an appropriate bridal shower gift?

The wedding or bridal shower gift is typically smaller than the wedding gift, and depending on the theme of the bridal shower, can range from monogrammed towels and washcloths to lingerie and aromatherapy candles. Often, too, gifts for the actual wedding may be suitable, such as a guest book if you know that she doesn't already have them. One difference here is that if it's a co-ed wedding shower, you won't want to buy bride specific gifts, but rather gifts that they both can use - like chocolate covered strawberries. Depending on the shower, gag gifts may be appropriate, but try to keep it somewhat tasteful, remembering that children may be in attendance.