Bridal Shower - Dublin,OH

K so Bridal Shower ='s lingerie! It is always a hit and people love to watch the soon to be bride blush and giggle as she opens the box. Plus you can go so many ways with that....like something really fun and naughty to something more tasteful and just pretty. I remember my cousin had a bridal shower and sister in law did the cutest thing. She gave her first a large box that held a silky rode. Then a little smaller box with a tasteful silky night gown, than an even smaller box (which by now we realized as the boxs got smaller so did the amount of clothing LOL) with a short little nighty and the last and smallest box held the thongs to match. She loved it and everyone got a kick out of watching open the boxes. It was great fun.

I went to a shower that something has stuck with me for more than 15 years. The gift was so cute I have repeated it several times

large plastic colander (not huge but big enough to hold a head of lettuce)
a bunch of money (singles, fives, tens and if your rich 20's lol)
some plastic cherry tomatoes or plastic tomatoe slices
salad tongs

fold the money like a fan long ways then use little rubber band or tape to fold the middle (this helps it hold its shape)
you do that with all of the money so it looks like lettuce leaves put them into the colander throw in the tomatoe slices and the tongs and cover with clear saran wrap. it was a huge hit. I usually use singles and a couple fives. but if you have a bunch of people who want to go in on it use higher denominations. its a big hit

I recently went to a Bridal shower. I also was at a lose of what to get.

I decided I got her something fun from her registry, I got her her martini glasses that she wanted. And then I gave her a gift card to Fredrick's of Hollywood so she could pick out her own naughty clothing.

It worked out great.

Good Luck!!

Definitely not a "marriage book"!

I'd suggest getting her something nice and pampering - maybe a spa gift certificate!? I got one of those and enjoyed it A LOT.

Also, if she is marrying YOUR brother, maybe a hand-written note saying something like "On the days when you just want to strangle your husband, you can call his sister if you need to. She will always listen with an open heart and a willingness to help you understand the man you married."

OK--does she have any sisters? If not, what about something with a sisterly saying on it? "Sisters by chance, Friends by choice"?

OR if you know her well enough, what about a beautiful bit of lingerie for the honeymoon?

I thought Bridal Showers were for the bride? Wedding Showers are for the couple. You bring a Wedding Shower gift that is for the couple like pots, pans, flatware, etc. off of the registry. Bridal Shower gifts are for the bride, for the night of the honeymoon. If you want to do a book about marriage that's great but stick some cute lingerie in the bag, too. (I think it's also a "helpful marriage tip" haha!) Trust me, that will stand out!
But, seriously, lingerie. That's all I got for my Bridal Shower from all the women there including my grandma. Gosh, did I blush.

I would definitely do a spa gift certificate so that she can schedule one before or after the wedding. Maybe one that included getting her hair/nails done for the wedding so that she doesn't have to worry about that item on the to-do list?

A marriage book seems a little foreboding in my opinion. I received a sex book called Position of the Day from my best friend and it is something that my husband and I still look at 9yrs later and find hysterical because some of the positions in there are just for laughs, not even physically possible. Laughter is one of the keys to a good marriage and that book is definitely amusing for both of us. :) More traditional ideas are a gift certificate for Victoria's Secret or for a spa so she can be pampered with a facial, massage, or nail service for her big day. I received a ring with a small blue jewel that I wore on my wedding day-- maybe a dainty piece of jewelry that wouldn't overpower anything else she will be wearing would be nice. Or maybe a memory box that she can keep mementos from the wedding in and you can enclose a nice poem or something like that.

This might sound obvious and silly, but buy her something off her registry. That's why it's there. :) I remember for both of my showers (bridal and baby) that, while all gifts were thoughtful and appreciated, there were many little things I registered for that we later went out and ended up purchasing. I know all of my friends and family put a lot of thought into what they gave us, but we put a lot of thought into our registries. Buy her something off of it. It's a sure fire way of knowing she'll get something she needs.

What about a book of family recipes?
A book of stories about your brother's childhood?

A gift to Bed, Bath and Beyond

I like the book idea and you can mention in the card - I know my brother, you're gonna need this (jokingly of course) plus, pending on your relationship with her...you can mention, marriage is wonderful - but it has it's ups and downs, this helped me when I needed it most... and then add a gift card to wherever she registered..... I like Val's sex book idea, but I think coming from "family" it would be weird.....at least for me...
I see some people are saying no to marriage book, I sitll like it - life is not awalys grand - rather be realistic about the situation, but maybe it is best to hold off until later.....this is a tough one - best of luck in your decision

Please buy her something from her registry! If you really have to buy something that is not on her registry, at least look at the registry. If only to get color scheme and style. I recieved a yellow country style vase, which I'm sure the giver loved and spent a fair amount on. My colors were no where near yellow and style is very contemporary. I appreciated the gift, sent a nice thank you, but the vase is in a closet as there was no gift receipt.

Also, I recieved so much bath and body works stuff and gift cards that 5 years later I am still using it. I would have rather had a place setting or a gift card to the stores I registered. Heck, at Target or Kroger gift card would have been better.

I'm sorry if this is coming off harsh, but if this is a young couple, first marriage, first home, practical gifts are best.