I am looking for some help finding a wedding shower gift. My husband's brother is getting married, and I was nominated to help host the shower for his bride-to-be, along with the bride-to-be's sis and bridesmaid. There will be about 50-60 in attendance, so needless to say I have spent a lot of money on food and other items for the shower.
I am looking for a unique, thoughtful yet INEXPENSIVE gift to give the bride-to-be as her shower gift. I know we will plan to spend quite a bit on her and her soon-to-be husband for the actual wedding gift, so I don't want to go overboard with this gift.
She is not the lingerie type. Picture frame? I need some thoughtful ideas here from you creative mamas.
I looked on their registry - cheapest item runs about $35....I wanted to spend a little less if I could. Plus - do most wedding shower guests get items from the registry for the shower and the wedding? That seems silly to me. (I didn't have a wedding shower, if you can't tell - lol)
Ideas?
NOT co-ed shower
To clarify my last question - It seems silly to me to buy a gift from a registry for a shower, then buy another gift from that SAME registry for the wedding. Yes, I would give gifts for both occasions, as I tend to be an over giver. I just think it seems silly to buy two different gifts from the same registry two different times. I would want something more creative/shower-like for the shower, then something from the wedding registry for the wedding. Guess that is just me!
Personalized notecards with her new name:
http://www.vistaprint.com/note-cards-multi.aspx?xnav=TsrI...
Hmmm, well I'm tempted to say that you really don't need to get her a gift since you're co-hosting the shower, but I know if it were me, I'd get a gift too, so I feel you. And yes, most people (ideally) will get gifts for both events off the registry.
What about a vase? I use those a lot, well maybe not a lot, but I like having them. You could even put a pretty bouquet in it and use it as decoration at the shower.
I got a magazine subscription for Really Simple (I think that's it) and it was a cute idea. It has a bunch of cost cutting, home improvement, craft stuff that could be good for a new wife/homeowner. You could also do something like Food Network Magazine or Cooking Light. I prefer Food Network (I get both) and actually do try some recipes out of them. Most magazine subscriptions are really going down in cost so you could probably get one for $15 or less.
What if you frame her shower card in a very pretty, decorative frame? What about a gift certificate for a manicure?
Call me old fashioned, but I am under the impression that the shower hostess, or in your case, hostesses, do not give a gift. Your gift to the bride is hostessing the party.
I love Tori H's idea: pretty glass vase (I always use mine) and a magazine subscription. Not too pricey and great gifts. :)
In my family giving the shower is the gift. I mean I don't know how much you spent but I always spend a hell of a lot more than I ever would if I were just invited and brought a gift.
Really if you must a picture frame is fine. Perhaps tell her you will give her a picture from the shower to put in it.
Summer stuff should be on clearance now so you could get a decent gift for less money. A picnic set, BBQ tools, even beach towels, patio lights or any combination of those items.
I always do a registry item for the shower and money in a card for the wedding. I think registry items opened up at the shower are nice for people to watch and see what all she'll be putting in her marital home. The money for the wedding makes sense because it could help pay off that honeymoon or wedding if they paid for it. JMO...
Electric air pump. You can get one for about $20. It's a great thing to have to blow up air mattresses, pools, and other inflatables.
Bed Bath & Beyond carries that Chef Basket kitchen strainer that folds flat when not in use. You can use it to boil or fry stuff. You can use their 20% coupon or $5 coupon, it's like $14.99 minus the coupon.
registry for the shower gift and cash for the wedding. Although honestly when I was the bridesmaid giving the shower I didn't give a separate shower gift. It cost me several hundred to host the shower. that for me was a huge shower gift. If I was you and you feel that you want to give her something get some thank you notes for her. some nice ones and include stamps. thats something she can use.
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Why don't you make her a gift from your heart and she will appreciate it more, buying something is so insensetive. For example, I am a handcrafted knifemaker and for Easter a few years back, I made my mom a $2,500.00 handmade 7 piece kitchen knife set with filework on the back of all 7 knives that I did by hand, and cocobolo wood handles,and they are still setting in the display case along with the neck knife that I made her for Valentine's Day. I made it out of about 300 layers of Damascus steel with filework along the back of it with Ivory handles, then I had a friend scrimshaw a lighthouse on the handle but she never uses them, they just set in the display case because they are too beautiful. After having 13 heart attacks, 7 stents, and 2 pacemaker/defibrillators, I am not able to do that anymore. So good luck coming up with something that you could make her as a gift. Buying something is so common and insensetive but if you make her something from your heart she will never forget it. It's more creative than getting a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo for a shower LMAO
Buy her a leather journal or a keepsake box.
The journal she can write down all her thoughts leading up to her big day and you can have her guess write advise and well wishes in it before you give it to her.
The keepsake box she can keep little momentos from all the activities that lead up to and including the wedding.
Both you should be able to find pretty cheap.
What about something like this??? I have given this from the DawnsCraft seller on this link MANY times and the bride always LOVED IT!!! It was something special she could use in wedding pictures and at the church and then a keepsake that she can use at home!
I would do a "bridal emergency kit" for her in a little tote bag. Someone did this for me and I've done it several times since.
Fill a canvas tote (small) with travel sized:
- Bottle of water
- Advil
- Clear nail polish
- Needle and thread
- hair spray
- Hand lotion
- tissues
- mints
What about a gift card?
Check out www.personalcreations.com. They have a large assortment of personalized gifts you can give in a wide variety of prices. I love buying people gifts off of there!
