Help! Bridal Shower Gift Idea?

It sounds like everyone sticks to the registry. Some unique items can be if they pick out bedding, then lamps that match (if they have matching shades). For my brother in laws wedding we got his and her watches with the date engraved on the back. They just loved them! We got Skaagen so they were not million dollar watches but good ones. Just an idea for you. Getting creative is hard. There are lots of ideas online. Have fun!

I like giving personalized stationary/note cards as bridal & baby gifts. You can have their names put on the top so she'll have something nice and easy to use when sending out thank you cards. I have a friend that can customize the note cards anyway you'd like and can also print matching address labels. I can give you her contact info if you're interested.

My advice is YES, you must get something from her registry. Get something from the registry for the shower gift, and get something from the registry for the wedding gift. That's why people go to the trouble of setting up a registry in the first place! I know that for my bridal shower, my wedding, and my baby shower, the gifts that I appreciate and use are the ones from my registry, and the ones that were NOT on my registry (for example, a baby bath tub when I already had one) -- I ended up re-gifting.

I would definitely go with her registry for both the shower and the wedding. Those are the gifts that she is hoping for. If you want to do something extra for the shower, bring your camera along to the shower and be sure to take a picture of the bride-to-be with each of the guests, and in action opening presents, etc. Then make her a mini-scrapbook of the day.

E.,

When my brother-in-law got married we were asked to send a receipe for a family cook book. We sent our favorite recipes and then someone retyped them and placed them in a cook book binder and presented it to them at the wedding shower. This was a surprise to the bride and groom, they didn't know anything about the recipes until tshe opened it at her shower. When these were re-typed to be put in the book they were typed as written (example: Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich (this came from a niece of the bride that was about 12 years old) open cabinet door, get peanut butter and jelly out of cabinet, shut cabinet door, get bread out of the pantry and lay on cabinet, get butter knife out of the drawer, open peanut butter, open jelly, spread PB & J on bread now take bread and place it together, put knife in sink, and so. This is actually how the niece wrote the recipe so this is how it was re-typed. You can make this fun for all ages. You can have family members aske their children if they have a favorite recipe and have the kids tell you how to make it. This would be a gift that she wouldn't be expecting and would be full of memories. But I do think you need to get something off of the registery also, as her friend she might be expecting you to get something off of her registry. As far as the furture husband goes I would get him a gift card for something he has an interest in (such as if he plays golf get him a gift card for a round of golf or two, if he likes hunting & fishing get him one to Bass Pro shop what man don't like Bass Pro.) As for the Bride get her a gift card to a day at the spa (newly weds can be overwhelmed at first when they have to adjust to the married life of bills and things. I'm not saying your friend will but some newlyweds do). I hoe this helps.

GOOD LUCK!!

S.

Bridal Shower Ideas: Stationery, personalized address labels, candles, a crystal vase for fresh flowers. A gift of a night out as friends before she is married (dinner, movie / play / opera / ballet, and dessert or something like that). Have a nice photo taken of the two of you and then enlarge and frame it for her in a tasteful frame that she can put at work or home that says "friends" or just a decorative frame.

Wedding: A good bottle of champagne with two champagne flutes. The champagne flutes could be personalized or just have "bride" and "groom" on them or be decorative plain ones.

Just some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Congratulations to your friend and I hope you come up with gifts that you are happy with.

I agree with Christine. The bride is hoping for those items she has asked for so that is the logical gift. My sister-in-law bought me all the accessory pieces to my china to make sure I had all the extras instead of just a place setting. I came out with many pieces and sets which was a good thing as it got discontinued shortly after my marriage!
Also if you have children the ages you have, take the simplest and most convenient route. If your friend loves you, she would want you to do that as she wouldn't want you to stress yourself.

I usually say to stick with registries, but I think in this case, it's perfectly fine to get something else. For a shower gift to your best friend of 18 years, something meaningful instead of a blender is fine. It's not like you are wanting to get a second cousin something else. And you can always get her something from her registry for the wedding gift. It is usually safer to go the traditional route there and stick with the registry. But the shower is more about something special for the bride-to-be separately, so you can do something special.

When my sister got married we knew her new in-laws would be more than generous with all the registry items. And she had already been living with her fiance for a while, we knew they didnt actually need much. A close family friend and I made her a scrapbook for her shower gift. We made ours focus on her engagement, so we put in pictures of big events they had together and trips they had taken. We put her wedding announcement and we left a page for her to be able to put a note he wrote her when he proposed. You could do something like that. It could be about the two of you though if you wanted it to be.

Or I like the idea of giving her a spa day gift certificate. What about making it for the two of you, to be used a few days before the wedding together to spend some time together and help her relax right before the big day?

I love the idea of the photo album from the shower, I think she would appreciate that. Also, I like the idea of something personalized. There is a company called www.personalcreations.com where they put names on things for you. Another idea - for my niece's wedding, I got the picture frame she had on her registry - it was a double frame - then I printed out the words to the song she and her husband were going to dance to. She loved it, and she put the picture of them dancing on the other side. I think you should do SOMETHING a little special, but like the other mom said, don't feel like you have to go all out, you have alot on your plate right now! The most important thing you can really do for your friend is rejoice with her.

I would say to get her bed or bath stuff off her registry if you do not want to do lingerie for her shower. Get her kitchen, dinning or decorative things off her registry for the wedding. If you want to add something to it, go crazy, but at least she will have something that she picked out and will be so happy that you "actually" got it off the registry.
There is always gift cards. If you get her a visa gift card instead of one to a specific store, she can use it wherever she wants, even on her honeymoon. I bet not too many people thought of that.

Good Luck and God bless,

Hi E., I have a friend who makes personalized beaded jewelry. She has a line of bridal jewelry too. This is her site ... http://mjenningsdesigns.com/

I have a mother's bracelet for myself and I have bought bracelets and earrings as gifts for others. I love her work and here customer service is terrific! If you contact her, just let her know that I referred you.

Enjoy!

D..
www.BizForMomsOnline.com

isn't the bridal shower where you purchase an item from the registry? I would stick to the registry, that is why they have one. although, wait till it gets a little closer. ask her if there is an item that she really wants that no one has purchased. if so then even by sticking to the list you are one-upping it. you could even get a gift card to one of the stores on her registry. as for the wedding I thought it was appropriate to give money. We have always given an ammount to cover the plate. (ex. 2 people going 50.00-100.00 a person depending on how big or fancy the wedding is) Good Luck!

I made a quilt for my friend. I chose fabrics & a pattern that reminded me of (or were significant to) her & her husband.

(ambitious, I know)
If you are remotely good at sewing you could piece the top & have someone else quilt it & put it together. Or just do a part of it. You can go to any sewing shop & find folks that will help you.

If there is something personal that you can give your friend that will have significant meaning, fun or serious,you could do that. My maid of honor and I worked together and took nursing classes together. She took old pics of us together through the present time and made a photo album. It was before the time of creative memories for photo albums so she wrote in things on the pages. It was a funny and serious gift all in one. I believe she either gaves us money or a listed gift. Good Luck!

Hi E.! Congratulations to your friend! What an exciting time! :) Personalized gifts make really unique keep sakes for the bride to be .... you know her best, so I would say go with your gut! I make unique custom photo jewelry and have done many pieces for brides to be.... let me know if you want me to help out in anyway I can. I also make fun accessories for wedding gift ideas too ... photo wine charms documenting their special day together! Photo cuff links for him with his beautiful bride! Take a peek at my website: www.handcraftedheartandsoul.com
Good luck!
Cris
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I gave my cousin a Wish Bowl. I got it at Hallmark, but I'm sure you could put on together yourself. It was a crystal bowl with etched "Best Wishes" all over and it came with a pack of small gift cards or tags. It is to be used at the wedding, set up by the Guest Registry or even at the reception. Guests are to write their wishes, hopes, dreams and advice for the new couple and place them in the bowl. Kinda like little secret messages for them to read, cherish and laugh about later.

for the shower gift you could get a pic of the 2 of you and put it in a frame that way she has something meaningful. as for the wedding gift stick to the registry thats what most people really want

well my sister had can that looked like a popcorn can that u get 4 xmas gift,but it was a fun can that was full of sex thing toys games & more her friend got it from a fun party i'll have 2 ask her more about this.

Sandyboo

I am not sure if you have heard of The Pampered Chef, but we have fabulous Bridal gifts and Wedding gifts. From basic kitchen needs to entertaining ideas. My favorite for men is the Barbeque Turner and have it engraved with their names and wedding date. Please check out www.pamperedchef.biz/ubookanncooks and choose "shop online" and then #2 and agree. You can view our catalog or shop catagories. Also be sure to check out the outlet where there are huge savings up to 80% off older products. If you have any question please feel free to ask.

I too am a work-at-home mom with twins-- they are now 12!!

For a bridal gift look at the couple with registry advice. Not all couples put their hearts desire on the list. If they entertain, like to cook or decorate take that into considerstion. Use the information personal to you because of your long term friendship. Check out Replacements LTD. As shower gifts I've given his and her pamper gifts. With my business I have heard from my family and friends' husbands that they appreciate not being forgotten or left out. I give Satin Hands Sets, Pedicure Sets and candles so they can remember to pamper each other for life. (www.marykay.com/pmarion) If you write poetry add a touch from you or one of they're favorite movies, songs or poems. I hope this helps. These can be shopped online at your convenience and mailed to you for approval before the big day.

I would get her a scrapbook so she can put all her wedding pictures in.

What about a gift certificate for a massage or a day at the spa? Or mani/pedi?

You could get her a gift certificate for a massage or something... you know she is stressed with the wedding coming up!
As for thegift to them I would get something off the registry because you know it's someting they need!
GL!

Lots of great ideas! My company has alot of aromatherapy products that you can put together for a gift set. www.J..myarbonne.com Congratulations to her!

The safest bet is always something on the registry. You already know she likes those items. I would suggest that you give her something special off of her registry. Give her a large serving piece of her china, her salt and pepper set, 4 champagne glasses, something that when she uses she will think of you. I have been married over 20 years and I still remember who gave me my salt and pepper shakers-my mom's best friend.

Hi E.
I would stick closely to the registry. The bride made an effort to list out the things that she would like and are important to her. If you want to do something extra in addition to something off the registry that you would consider special I am sure she would appreciate it. When I got married I was aggravated by people not using the registry and thinking thier ideas were better than mine. I ended up returning alot of things to get things off my registry. Maybe get someting smaller off her registry and then have something sentimental engraved or signed by you so she will have someting to display and remind her of your sentiment for years to come.
Good luck, she is lucky to have someone who cares so much as her special friend. Im sure she would appreciate whatever you come up with as long as it comes from your heart.
T.

Hi there! I just threw a shower yesterday for my close friend (of 19 years!! wow) and I had the same problem. I gave her a pasta pot, pasta strainer, a big salad bowl, tons of kitchen utensils, a recipe box with a few of my recipes, a recipe book, a box of spaghetti, and a jar of sauce. I kept it reasonable, I kept within a theme, and it all came off her registry. I like to stay true to the registries b/c that's what they wanted and you know they'll like the color or the design instead of what you would pick out. Since you and your friend have been close you know her and what she wants/needs. Personal items are nice, but go big, get something(s) that are big ticket items. Like a vacuum, china, glasses, everyday dishes. Just a thought. Good Luck.

Go to www.pbarnard.ordermygift.com You might find a neat idea there. Hope that helps

you know what she likes and what her taste is you can get some unusual gifts. does she like pictures you can get some neat scrapbooks some are white leather for wedding photos this can be a really neat idea creative memories has people who give workshopps you could get her the album and a workshop I attended one they are pretty neat. you get ideas and they have idea books.They have a web site just google scrapbooking there a lot of sights.creativememories.com.
For the wedding gift, look at the regestry see whats there then think of whats missing what they may want but isnt on the regestry.So many times there is always something. Mine was a foodprocessor! I didnt know that it would be one of the most used items in my kitchen!But it is I wore mine out and went out and bought a new one !

We really enjoyed money the most. We could use if for our Honeymoon,etc My best friend gave us a few gifts off of our registry and then $50. We also really loved the Home Depot and Lowe's gift cards b/c those are especially helpful in their new home! You could get the gifts for both of them off of the registry but then you could get her something more personal and special for the shower. I got my best friend a charm bracelet and each year I buy her a charm to go on it so eventually it is all filled up. A really nice bracelet is the Pandora. The bracelet is about $40 and each charm is about $20. You could get one in relation to your friendship, and one that speaks of a new love, etc When they have their first child you get her one regarding having children. You can go to Pandora.com or any nice jewelry store. That is something she will have forever. then can pass down to her children.
You could get her a gift card to Victoria's Secret or you could just get her nice, classy nightie. You could buy one thing that they could really use on their registry and then give them some cash....or you could just buy one of the pricey things on the registry that many others might not buy them. You could get them a nice luggage set for their honeymoon. YOu could buy her a themed gift, put together a basket of items....whatever theme you want...books, blanket, slippers, robe, VS gift certificate, stationery, pens, etc You can give them a nice set of thank you cards with their NEW intials on them to send out to the gift givers, you can get them monogrammed items such as towels, coasters, etc I know that when I got married I loved anything with my NEW name or last initial to remind me of my new marriage. YOu can ask her if you can decorate a room in her house...such as a bathroom and ask her to pick out what she wants and you will buy it. You can pay for them one night at a hotel room, their wedding night before going to their honeymoon. A night in a bed and breakfast, etc I also received a journal that a friend wrote in the front cover to document all the happy times in my life as memories. 8 yrs later I still write things in it that my husband does on holidays, thoughts of him and my children, etc Just a small something to add into the gift. Have fun!

I actually received a gift certificate from a close friend to a nice romantic restaurant for a wedding gift. On the card it said- "So the honeymoon will never end..." I thought that was thoughtful and very useful, and I still remember it (and who gave it to me) today. I can't really say the same for most of the other stuff I got. Memories last a lifetime.
The other thing I got was an engraved silver cake knife/ cutting set. I can't tell you how many times I have used that at various parties of my own, and it wasn't on my gift registry. I wouldn't have even thought to put it on there!
Hope this helps and good luck!

Hi, E.. I don't necessarily have an idea for a good "shower" gift, but I can share with you what I did for my best friend when she got married. While she was on the honeymoon, her mom let me into their new house where I stocked her pantry & fridge with all of her favorite food/drinks. I also bought them some movie rentals and set on the kitchen table along with microwave popcorn and new bowls. She loved it! I really didn't consider it intrusive since we were so close. Also, I knew they would both be heading back to work upon returning from the honeymoon, so I wanted her to have time with her new husband at home without having to worry with grocery shopping....
Good luck!