The latest trend in bridal showers is planning a theme party. Following are some fun ideas for shower themes. We'd like to thank All About Showers for contributing "Culinary Delights" and "Romantic Gestures". Check out their site for more ideas and helpful tips.
Anything in a Jar
Some brides already have kitchen utensils and bathroom towels.
For these women, a normal bridal shower may not suffice. If you have
or have access to a number of jar with lids, this might be the theme
for you. When inviting the guests, use the jars and put the
invitation inside. Instruct them to give the bride anything they
like, as long as it fits in the jar. Some items may be rice, beans
and other non-perishables for the new couple's food storage. Perhaps
books of matches, spices, staple food items, etc. Candies are nice
and still fit in a jar.
Bake-Off
For the cooking-impaired bride, invite guests to the shower,
asking them to bring their favorite recipe and some sample of it.
Guests can cook up main courses, tasty side dishes or mouth-watering
desserts. Not only will the bride have the recipe, she will also know
what is tastes like and how the end results are supposed to look. You
could turn this theme into a game by awarding ribbons for best
dishes.
Night at the Movies
In the invitation, give each guest a different movie title to
use as a gift idea. Some examples are: Notting Hill, Scent of a
Woman, Pillow Talk, Lady and the Tramp, The Mummy, Breakfast at
Tiffany's,Toys, Runaway Bride, The Princess Bride, Willie Wonka and
the Chocolate Factory, Beauty and the Beast. Pass out bags of
popcorn, theater candy and soft drinks. Decorate with movie posters.
For more ideas, visit the Relief Society Stop at
http://www.mormons.com.
Culinary Delights
Stocking a kitchen is a huge job. This theme is designed
to help the bride get a good start. Ideas include:
* cookbooks
* pots and pans
* dish towels
* silverware
* aprons
* anything you'd use in a kitchen
Mystery Dinner
The menu will include the following items but not what they
are:
Killer Kelp: Salad
Squid Ink: Salad Dressing
Planks o' Plenty: Breadsticks
Jellyfish Tentacles: Spaghetti
Oyster Offering: Sauce with Meatballs
Seafoam on a Sandbar: Lemon Meringue Pie
Halibut's Habitat: Water/Blue Koolaid (symbolizes the ocean)
Poseidon's Power: Fork
Swordfish Snout: Toothpick
Give each guest a menu listing all the items in their codenames, out
of order, and have them pick three items (appetizer, main course and
dessert) to be served in that order. They might end up with toothpick
as the appetizer, pie as the main course and breadsticks for dessert!
For more ideas, visit
http://members.tripod.com/laugh_lines/activitease/dinner.htm
That's Entertainment!
Newly married couples usually don't have a lot of money to
budget for entertainment. Help them stock up! Gifts could
include:
* videos
* games
* tickets to see a play
* music
* gift certificates to a movie theater, bowling alley,
miniature golf, dinner, etc.
* books
Still Dating
This is similar to "That's Entertainment!" but can be
expanded. Gifts could include:
* picnic basket
* video, popcorn, Kool-aid
* cooler and picnic blanket
* makings for a candlelight dinner
* 2 kites, 2 water guns, etc.
* gift certificates
Pantry Paradise
That first trip to the grocery store can be expensive.
This theme is designed to stock the bride's pantry. Gifts may
include:
* cooking basics (e.g., flour, sugar, baking
powder, etc.)
* spices
* wax paper, foil, plastic wrap, etc.
* canned goods
* pasta
* any kind of non-perishable food
As Time Goes By
Each guest is given an hour of the day and brings a gift
that corresponds with that time. For example:
* 6 a.m. - aerobics video
* 7 a.m. - alarm clock and bath towels
* 12 p.m. - sandwich maker
* 5 p.m. - frying pan
* 7 p.m. - video and massager
* 10 p.m. - sheets
In a Basket
This shower allows for a lot of creativity and flexibility
on the part of the guests. Each gift should come in a basket. For
example:
* scented lotions and bath supplies in a
basket
* picnic basket with plastic dishes and
utensils
* potpourri in a basket
* a plant in a basket potter
* basket full of food
* honeymoon basket (e.g., two goblets, bottle of sparkling
grape juice, candles and candlesticks)
Just for Her
Sometimes a bride just needs to be pampered. Help her feel
extra special. Gifts may include:
* body lotions
* bath gels
* robe
* candles
* gift certificate for a massage
* gift certificate for a facial
Practicality
Often, a couple receives a lot of things they could do
without and never get the necessities. This theme is designed with
this in mind. Gifts include:
* bucket full of cleaning
supplies
* garbage can and liners
* laundry basket with soap
* toilet paper and plunger
* household kit (e.g., nails, hammer, wood glue,
etc.)
* sewing kit
Romantic Gesture
This theme is centered around an evening of romance. Gifts
may include:
* scented candles
* bubble bath
* sheets
* massage lotion
* CD of love songs
* anything romantic
Around the World
Each guest is assigned a country and asked to bring a gift
that corresponds with the country. For example:
* Italy - pasta maker
* France - framed art
* Switzerland - wall clock
* Japan - rice cooker
* United States - barbecue grill
* Thailand - spices