Re: Bridal Shower Gifts

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@Bubby Mommy - Yes, this seems to be the trend now. And I don't like it.

The bridal and baby showers/sprinkles I have been to lately have been times to eat and visit. That's it. Usually the bride or mother-to-be requests unwrapped gifts that she will take home and look at. Thankfully a few do it the "old-fashioned" way!

I always put my "unwrapped" gift(s) IN a decorated bag, so I know she will get the correct card!

Back when I got married it was typical to get a surprise shower, which my MOH gave, on a weekday evening when I had decided to wait "one more day" to wash my hair! It was small, just two attendants, because of distance, and their moms.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

If someone is nice enough to bring a gift, then the very least the bride can do...is to open it....at the event. I would definitely be insulted if I brought a gift and the bride said....oh well, I'll open it later on after everyone is gone. If you don't like that kind of thing (who really does, after all), then you should just not attend or buy a gift. Sometimes we endure things (like bring gifts and watch them being opened) for others because it's the right thing to do.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

Boy, you and I must be in the same age range, @Bubby Mommy, because I'm behind the times too with the wedding invitation we recently received via a text message, then told how to dress, and informed that we were encouraged to give cash and gift cards. I wouldn't go to a shower like that and I'm even struggling with the wedding but will have to suck it up. As someone replied in my wedding thread, not all changes are good changes. 🤦‍♀️

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

My Mother threw my shower about 3 weeks before my wedding. I clearly remember opening gifts and some one taking notes on who the gifts were from. I still have many of the gifts including a lovely vase which is proudly displayed on my shelves it was from two dear friends one of who is had now passed

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

cjm61 · ‎09-07-2014

@Bubby Mommy I think we need to go with the flow. It is kind of the way things are nowadays. I must say though, I haven't been to any shower, baby or bridal, that the person did not open gifts.

I will say that I was at one that took forever, and I mean almost 4 hours, to open gifts. Way too long for her and her guests. I've also been to showers that I thoroughly enjoyed the games while the gifts were opened.

In my view, it truly is about the bride-to-be so it's her day. If this is what she wants then I have no issues.

Bonkers1 · ‎07-29-2012

I prefer the gifts are opened later. Opening the gifts is just a snooze fest in my mind.

CrazyTimes · ‎01-16-2025

I don't like showers, but unfortunately, some I just can't get out of attending. I dislike baby showers more than bridal showers. All the showers I've been to in the last few years still open gifts, but I think that's boring. And, yes, most of the games are silly.

My MIL, who only had boys, planned my bridal shower. She did everything (except the games.) She rented a small hall and invited people she knew, but I didn't know. I would rather have had just close friends and family, but back then people were expected to reciprocate invitations. So all the showers she went to for the daughters of all her friends, cousins, coworkers, etc. we're invited to mine.

I opened all my gifts in front of everyone. Regarding games, I decided to do just one. The only game we played was trivia about my future husband and me. We sat down and wrote questions about our lives from birth through childhood, teen, and adult years including how we met, favorite things, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy that.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

"Please Be a Dear

...and Wrap in Clear!"

Bubby Mommy · ‎03-10-2010

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
Boy, you and I must be in the same age range, @Bubby Mommy, because I'm behind the times too with the wedding invitation we recently received via a text message, then told how to dress, and informed that we were encouraged to give cash and gift cards. I wouldn't go to a shower like that and I'm even struggling with the wedding but will have to suck it up. As someone replied in my wedding thread, not all changes are good changes. 🤦‍♀️

Yes, again! The invitation we received told us: "Women must wear gowns and men must wear a suit and tie." Well, my husband always intended to wear a suit, but I don't own a gown and don't want one. I wonder if I will get thrown out for wearing silk pants and a silk blouse studded with sequins and rhinestones(??). LOL.

DJs mom · ‎06-06-2012

@Goldengate8361 wrote:
If someone is nice enough to bring a gift, then the very least the bride can do...is to open it....at the event. I would definitely be insulted if I brought a gift and the bride said....oh well, I'll open it later on after everyone is gone. If you don't like that kind of thing (who really does, after all), then you should just not attend or buy a gift. Sometimes we endure things (like bring gifts and watch them being opened) for others because it's the right thing to do.

Who says this is the right thing to do?