Wedding Showers are a good time to help out the new couple with gifts to set up their household. One helpful idea is to outfit the newlyweds' kitchen with all the small tools and supplies that one needs to cook and bake. This list was compiled to provide a list of inexpensive but necessary items that will be affordable for everyone. Those who want to spend more can buy several items. Not included in this list are bigger ticket items like pots and pans and small appliances.




When buying utensils for cooking look for ones that specifically say on the packaging that they are heat resistant. There are many new and beautiful silicone and nylon utensils that are made to use in high heat situations.Brides don't often put these smaller items on their bridal registry so it might be helpful for the hostess of the bridal shower to keep a master list for everyone or maybe even create an online registry at one or two of the large big box stores like Tar... [more]

After reading a book about showers published in 1948, I found myself thinking how simple and practical things were once. They prepared for a shower for a new bride easily without elaborate planning.

The invitations were not very exciting but usually consisted of a correspondence card that you sent notes on with a magazine picture pasted to the front. The decorations were mostly the same one or two items fastened to walls and a centerpiece for the table. Favors and centerpieces sometimes were quite simply made, but very cute.

The party menu consisted of 3 -4 items that were not considered fancy, but special as opposed to the everyday menu. The ingenuity in food sometimes lifted it from the doldrums, but it still was not the feast that most prepare for parties in today's world. The food was good, but not fancy and not overly expensive. A time of entertainment was more about honoring the guest of honor, company and games than food.

It seems in tho... [more]

There aren't many times we get to be silly and girly in this world, so a bridal shower shouldn't be wasted. Make sure it's genuinely fun. It's simple --- just think about what makes your bride special, and let yourself loose with the theme. Here are a few ideas to charge up the noggin and organize something unique.





"Like High School - But Better."
Revive some great times by tipping your hat to the bride's high school days. Look up all those slightly embarrassing hits from the year she graduated -- let's say the 80s. (Create a gift CD of same for all your guests -- they'll secretly savor them when no one else is around.) Yes, they still make banana clips! Pass them out, along with big, dangly inexpensive hoop earrings and loads of jelly bracelets (remember? You wear about a hundred on each arm, a la vintage Madonna). Slather on the pink, blue and green eye shadow, metallic nail polish and bright blue mascara. Play the sound... [more]