Bridal Shower help...

[momtoce&j]

Background: My DBIL is engaged and getting married in 2 months (just set the date last week). His fiancee is from the midwest and her mother will only make it here a couple of days before the wedding. My other SIL and I want to throw some sort of shower, but don't know what. We are all older (I'm actually the youngest at 40). DBIL and soon to be SIL recently bought a Townhouse, so they are living together and already have just about all the normal things one gets from a bridal shower. Also, they will not be registering anywhere.
It's not going to be a traditional big wedding with reception. Just a small outdoor ceremony and dinner after. No band/DJ/dancing.

What should we do for a shower??

 

[VAfamily1998]

Are they taking a honeymoon? Maybe stuff they could use on their honeymoon? For example, on our honeymoon, Dh and I flew to Ireland, rented a car, and drove around for about a week. Some of my wedding shower gifts included books about different B&B's in Ireland, suggested driving tours of Ireland, etc.

Do they have a hobby they like to do together, like biking or camping or something? Maybe people could shower them with equipment/things they need to do more of the activity together?

If you think your future SIL and her mother wouldn't be embarrassed, maybe a lingerie/"romance" shower? It wouldn't have to be skanky stuff--more modest gifts could just be candles/romantic music cds/a bottle of champagne, etc.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

What about a housewarming type of shower? Even though they have toasters etc they might want to buy new towels, new shower curtain and bath sets, new bedding etc. If she will not register for those kind of thingsthen I'd do gift cards. You can also do the typical thing that we do around here which is writing up a few favorite recipes you have onto cards then collecting them at the shower and putting them into a recipe box for her.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I would think I nice brunch at a restaurant with a few friends---they obviously don't need gifts...

 

[DSNY4ever]

You could just do a tea or a brunch and have everyone bring a recipe along with a piece of advice for the bride (or the couple) and then put it all together in a book at the shower and at the end of the day she gets to bring it home.

It sounds like they don't really need gifts and this could be a special keepsake.

 

[momtoce&j]

maybe a lingerie/"romance" shower? It wouldn't have to be skanky stuff--more modest gifts could just be candles/romantic music cds/a bottle of champagne, etc.

That's what I was thinking.

Thanks for all the ideas!!! I like the recipe one too. Not sure if they are going an a honeymoon right away.

Thanks again and if anyone else has ideas....

 

[Disney Doll]

Since it will probably be only a couple of days before the wedding so her mom can attend, I'd do the brunch or bridal tea thing. They just seem "simpler"...not from an effort standpoint but from a planning/crowd/angst standpoint. I'd also keep it to family an dperhaos a few very close friends. 15-20 at the most.

As far as gifts...is there some area or category of stuff that they do no have?
For example, my DSisIL threw us an "entertaining" coed shower (jack & jill party) where people brought us things one would need to entertain...ice bucket, cocktail shakers, serving trays, ice tongs, bottle openers, wine glasses and the like. It was a good diea becaise one might not necessarily think of registering for something like an ice bucket or a cocktail shaker but they're nice to have.

Romance is another good theme. I also like the recipe/scrapbook idea. Perhaos have each of the women attending write her a letter about life, love, a happy memory they have with her and put those into a book. Can you get together a photo album of her & fiance's life together so far?

 

[acejka]

I did one where everyone brings a gift of a "date night" for the couple-gift cards to their favorite restaurants, movies, someone did a wine tasting date, a pair of tickets to a comedy club in our area etc. They loved it because they had plenty of gift cards to choose from whenever they wanted a night out together.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

Have a Fill The Pantry Shower. Everyone brings a non-perishable food item, like a box of cake mix, frosting, a jar of pickles, a bag of chips, a box of tea, etc. Those showers are so much fun, lots of laughs, and it stuff that average home use and run out of. And it's inexpensive!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Would she be the type to be receptive to a Gag Gift Shower? I love attending these but some people find them to be in bad taste.

 

[klacey1]

I did one where everyone brings a gift of a "date night" for the couple-gift cards to their favorite restaurants, movies, someone did a wine tasting date, a pair of tickets to a comedy club in our area etc. They loved it because they had plenty of gift cards to choose from whenever they wanted a night out together.

That is a terrific idea! OP, this is a great one-- keep the date nights going well into the marriage!
I also like the lingerie one-- I went to one about a year or so ago. It was a pretty young crowd-- only friends/co-workers, no mothers (family gave the bride a separate shower). I don't know how the bride would have felt unwrapping some of those nighties in front of her mom!

 

[momtoce&j]

I did one where everyone brings a gift of a "date night" for the couple-gift cards to their favorite restaurants, movies, someone did a wine tasting date, a pair of tickets to a comedy club in our area etc. They loved it because they had plenty of gift cards to choose from whenever they wanted a night out together.

I like this idea too. Can't thank you all enough for all these great ideas! I'm having lunch tomorrow w/ DSIL and can't wait to tell her.

I don't think we can wait for the shower for the mother of the bride to be here. She's only flying in 2-3 days before the wedding and with rehearsal dinner and last minute things, there won't be enough time.

I told my DD (18) I was going to post on the DIS for ideas because everyone here is so helpful, she's home on Spring Break right now and once she wakes up I am showing her this thread! You guys are the BEST!