It can be difficult to know what the proper etiquette is when dealing with the issue of bridal shower gifts. The first question many women ask is if they are obligated to give both a wedding and a shower gift? The answer is yes. If you attend the shower you are required to come with a gift for the bride. This does not need to be a really expensive gift and what you spend is related to your relationship with the bride and your financial situation. It is expected that guests will spend between twenty five and seventy five dollars on the gifts they bring to a bridal shower.
There are several ways to keep these costs down and still give a nice gift. Since showers are usually four to six weeks before the wedding once you know your friend is getting married start looking for nice gifts on sale. Do not be afraid to buy those lovely bathroom towels while they are on sale even if you do not expect to give them as a gift for a few months. The question is not whether it is a good idea to shop early, but whether based on your relationship you should be giving a few matching coffee mugs or an espresso maker. One way to make bridal shower gifts look like more, if you are tight for money and want to make your gift feel more special, is by putting together a shower gift basket. This enables you to put in several inexpensive gifts together and make an attractive gift that you can feel better about.
Another thing that can be very helpful when trying to choose bridal shower gifts is if the shower is themed. This can make buying a gift so much easier. The theme may be kitchen, linens or even personal items for the bride. If the theme is kitchen then you know to bring something she needs for her kitchen. Try to coordinate with some of the other guests or the person throwing the shower if kitchen is the topic. You do not want to be one of five people who shows up with an electric can opener, crock pot or coffee maker. If the theme is personal that means you are expected to bring something cute or sexy for her to sleep in. Another theme is crystal. If this is what the invitation says then the guests are expected to bring wine glasses, champagne flutes, vases, serving bowls or something attractive for the fireplace mantel, if the bride has one.
Sometimes you are invited to a shower because of your relationship to the groom, or you work with the bride but are not that close, and so you do not know the bride that well. You still want to be sure that the gift you bring to the shower is something she will like. One thing you can do is call the bride’s mother, her sister or the maid of honor and get some advice on what to buy. The bride will appreciate the fact that you wanted your gift to be useful to her instead of just buying the first thing you thought a bride would need. Or you can give a gift that is on her registry, if she has registered with a store for her wedding gifts. Remember the bridal shower is supposed to be a fun party before she gets married. Do not let having to decide on the right gift make it a chore instead.
