Hi there!! Hope ya’ll didn’t miss me too much last week! My poor little fur baby got sick last week after we got back from Houston and it was all just too overwhelming so needless to say I was in desperate need of a break. But no worries, I am back!! I am starting off a bridal shower series if you will, so for the next couple of weeks I will be covering different aspects of a bridal shower through my posts.
First things first, a bridal shower gift! So there are so many unknowns when it comes to this gift, like how much should you spend on the gift, what should you gift the bride, what if there is no registry? So I am here to help!
What to gift:
Guest: Typically if the couple has a wedding registry let this be your first option for a gift and here is why. Most people nowadays go the monetary route for the actual wedding day gift. Because think about it, who wants to be carrying a big ole’ crock-pot box to the wedding and after the wedding?! HAHA! So gifting an item from the registry for the shower is usually the safe route to go.
Bride: Now bride, this is why I would say registering is super important!! Like I mentioned in this post, giving your guests options not only 1) makes you even more excited to open gifts and 2) receive gifts you will actually LOVE and use. I am still planning a post on tips/my favorite items from our registry to help you out!
How much to spend:
Guest: Ok now this is such a grey area and hard for me to say an exact amount but I hope my breakdown helps.
1. Take into consideration your relationship with the bride, is this your childhood friend? Or perhaps a co-worker? Either way this will play an impact on what you decide to spend.
2. Look at the registry/registries. Are there great options in your price range? For instance let’s say you set a budget of $40, but the bride has a $40 picture frame or a set of flatware. I would rather spend the $40 on the flatware knowing it’ll get used on daily basis.
3. Look at your finances and timetable of the wedding. If the shower is being held really close to the wedding then factor in that you will still need to take a wedding gift. So maybe that $80 dinner plate set may need to take a back seat for the shower. Also be realistic with the fact that you are attending a hosted event where the hostess will be providing food/alcohol.
I personally try to go the route of at least $40-$60 range, and again depending on my relationship with the bride, then that could change but I feel like that is a safe zone.
Bride: So from the bride perspective on average most people will spend between the $40-$60 range, at least that was what I noticed from the gifts we received. My tip would be to register for several items in that range for your guests. Last thing you want is that no one shops the registry because everything on the list was either too expensive or all the “good” options were already taken. But also make don’t feel shy to include some items upwards of that range, you’d be surprised that some of your girlfriends will want to “shower” you with those household items. We received several items that we were not expecting as shower gifts and are so thankful!
No registry option:
Guest: If you are invited to a bridal shower where the bride did not register it can get a little tricky on what to gift the bride. The top items I have seen are as follows:
-Wine/Champagne (this will come in very handy during that last month of planning I am sure)
-Slippers/Robes/Sleeping Masks for the Future Mrs.
-Lingerie (this one will really have to depend on the guest list and your relationship with the bride, you definitely do not want to embarrass her in front of her future in-laws with a raunchy set, save that for the bachelorette).
-A massage voucher! This is such a thoughtful gift for anyone but especially for the bride to pamper herself maybe the week of the wedding.
-Personalized gift for the home! Take this chance to get the new couple something engraved with the new last name such as a cutting board that can be used as serving piece. Check out these links.
Bride: Expect to receive the unexpected!! If this is right up your alley, you are sure to enjoy this moment of opening gifts 🙂
I hope this posts really helps anyone that is or will be shopping for a bridal shower gift. I am actually attending a shower this weekend and trust me even myself I found myself confused on what to buy/how much to spend. Til next time!
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