Weddingbee

Mr. Peacock’s sister/my bridesmaid kindly offered to throw us a wedding shower. She wanted it to be unique and casual, since we will still be having two typical, ladies only showers. It was decided that both boys and girls would be invited, the gifts would have a theme which lent itself to less expensive or off the registry gifts and Mexican food and margaritas would be served.

After throwing around a few great ideas, his sister settled on “entertainment.” I love it because people could bring a bottle of wine, a board game or a movie. They could also bring our blender or wine glasses if they wanted to go the more traditional route. The goal was to come up with an idea that would appeal to both guys and girls and to keep the gifts on the less expensive side. I thought that some of the other ideas we came up with might be helpful, so I am going to share.

Stock the Bar: Guests bring things to stock your bar. Bottles of wine or beer, martini shakers or a personalized pub sign would be an appropriate gift. Opening and making use of the gifts at the shower is an option.

Garden Party: Gifts could include anything to get your patio or garden going- BBQ tools, coolers, shovels and potted plants. You could throw this shower in the couple’s yard and actually get down in the dirt.

Gearing the Garage: Tools, storage containers and other handyman goods. It wasn’t the right party for us, but it may be for the more handy bride and groom.

Holidays: Guests are assigned a holiday and asked to bring a corresponding gift. Some holidays are a little easier than others, and the more couples that you invite the further you have to reach for the holiday. Memorial Day may be more obvious than President’s Day, for example, and I worry about the guy that gets Valentine’s Day. Hilarity would ensue.

The Unwrapped Shower: Guests bring their gifts unwrapped, and hand them to the couple as they walk in. This simply cuts out the long process of opening gifts, worrying about breaking the ribbon and doing a Vanna White around the room. It still allows for surprise and a nice, personal thank you.

Have any of you done a less traditional shower? Want to share your ideas?