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She may be a blushing bride, a wife-to-be, and lately, a little preoccupied with planning her wedding. But at the very heart of it, she's your girl, and you want to throw her the most amazing, most memorable, most beautiful shower ever.
Once upon a time, strict laws of etiquette governed bridal showers. Among other rules, parties were held in the formal parlors and gardens, men were not allowed at the celebration, cucumber sandwiches were de rigueur, and the bride's immediate family was prohibited from hosting the event. Nowadays, comfortable living rooms have replaced parlors as locations of choice, guest lists are sometimes coed, and family and friend alike often host the events.
And as brides find themselves the guest-of-honor at several showers -- those lucky girls -- shower hosts have afforded themselves license to be more creative and innovative than ever. One way to create a distinctive bridal shower for your favorite bride-to-be -- choose clever and unique party theme. Some of our favorite bridal shower themes include:
The Alphabet Shower
The premise of an alphabet shower is, of course, the alphabet. Select an invitation that makes your intentions clear as day: each guest is assigned a letter, and should select a gift accordingly. For example, the guest assigned with the letter "C" might bring a corkscrew, cookie sheets, ceramic bowls, cloisonné, or cashmere… you get the idea.
Make it a luncheon, if possible. Design your menu to correspond with letters of the alphabet. For example, your first course might be Asparagus Soup, and Bruschetta, followed by a delicious Chicken Dijon on a bed of Endive and Field Greens. For dessert, what could be more scrumptious then Godiva Gâteau. Use your imagination; practically every menu can be modified (or re-named) to follow an alphabet theme.
The Kitchen Shower
What self-respecting gourmet bride wouldn't love a kitchen shower? Ask guests to choose gifts the bride will need to establish an ideal newlywed kitchen. Gifts might include: tools, utensils, cookware, bakeware, appliances, kitchen linens, and cookbooks.
A Kitchen Shower is the perfect occasion to go potluck. If your kitchen can manage, request that a few dishes be brought assembled, but uncooked. When your guests arrive, pop their culinary creations into the oven, and serve wine in the kitchen while you enjoy the aroma of what is soon to come. Guests might also bring along their signature recipe, written on an index card. At the end of the shower, present the bride with a recipe box full of favorite recipes from her favorite people.
The Round the Clock Shower
Round the Clock Showers are always a hit. With a premise similar to The Alphabet Shower, guests are assigned one of the twenty-four hours in a day. They then select a shower gift that correspond to their assigned time. For example, the guest assigned with 7 a.m. might bring assorted coffees, mugs, an alarm clock, an espresso maker, breakfast trays, bath towels -- whatever the hour of day inspires.
Guests should be prepared to explain (and often, to defend) their choices -- something that usually lends much laughter and merriment to the occasion.
Create a menu that carries on the number theme. Obvious choices include Three O'Clock Bean Salad, Fromaggio alle Quattro (or Four O'Clock Cheese) Pasta, Five O'Clock Alarm Chili, and Six O'Clock Layer Cake. Again, get creative with your menu, and don't be shy about changing recipe names to fit your theme.
Garden Shower
Is the bride one of those women with a gift (or at least, a yen) for gardening? If so, what could be more perfect then a Garden Shower? If she loves all things green, request that your guests shower her with lovely potted flowers, plants, ferns, and bulbs. Guests can also bring garden tools, watering cans, bulb forcers, planters, and arrangements.
Choose a floral or vintage-style invitation to announce your festive and refined afternoon tea. Host your gathering on a lawn, in a garden, or at a park. Since afternoon tea doesn't consist of a complete meal, have fun selecting delectable delicacies for your menu: crudités, finger sandwiches, scones, Devon cream, jams and jellies, and of course, plenty of assorted teas. For even more great Tea Party ideas, be sure to read Tea Time.
Les Amis Du Vin Shower
Pronounced: layz zam mee doo van, this shower literally translates, "The Friends of Wine." And you don't have to be a connoisseur of the grape to enjoy a good year. Ask your guests to bring two selections of wine -- one to enjoy at the party, and one to add to the collection you're quickly establishing for the happy couple.
Think of your Les Amis Du Vin Shower as an intimate, elegant wine tasting for good friends. Select a timeless invitation; evocative of an elegant, refined mood.
If you decide to hold your soirée at home, serve a fresh fruit plate complete with pears, grapes, melons, and all her favorites. Set out boards of chèvre, Camembert, Jarlsberg and other delicious cheeses, accompanied by crostini, focaccia, and other rustic breads. If you like, try your hand at a savory cheesecake, the dessert you eat as an entrée. For a quick and easy delicacy, bake a wheel of Brie. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a sumptuous afternoon with good friends.
If you decide to hold your Les Amis Du Vin party at a café or restaurant, they may charge you to open the wine, so be sure to inquire in advance about corkage fees.
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