Bridal Shower for Friend Already Has a Child and Living Together

have a gift card shower to her favorite stores. My sister is getting married in May (her 2nd marriage & his first) I am throwing a gift card shower for her.
This is going to be fun as I have never done one of these before- Good luck

She probably has everything she needs since they've been living together and have a child.

If someone still wants to throw a shower, the recipe/kitchen idea.

As for donating $, that is a huge no no in my book and I would decline any invitation that suggested I donate to someone UNLESS I was making a donation to a non-profit agency like the womens' shelter, children services, cancer fund, etc.

My Aunts had a shower for a church member and did a holiday theme. The gifts were to be items that could be used to decorate the house for different holidays or seasons. This is one of those things that most people don't really think of because we are usually so practical about shower gifts, but it's nice because if they already have a home together they probably have most of the basics and holiday items add a special touch to a home. You can always include a favorite holiday recipe or tip that you use, and you can often times find good deals on off season decorations and things through LTD and party stores. Anything from holiday towels and serving trays to door hangers and centerpieces... it's all fair game.
Good luck!
Christi

The "funnest" shower I have been to recently was a "spa" themed shower. We had someone from Sister Rosalind's come and do chair massages for the bride to be and guests (she was a student so didn't charge much and we gave her tips). Everybody got to make bath salts (recipes are on-line) in a jar to take home and the dress code for the party was to come in your pajamas. We also shared a bottle or two of wine :)

The gifts that were brought by the guests for the bride were varied - some followed the spa theme and other people brought stuff they simply thought the bride would want or need. I would say that I would rather decide on my own what to give as a gift rather than have someone tell me. Plus, I always thought of shower gifts to be a little something fun or personal and saved the "real gift" for the wedding gift.

Good luck!

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You can not tell people what to bring as gifts, you can have a themed party but do not expect the guests to go along the same line and get gifts that match the theme. Is the couple registired any where, you can put that in fine print at the bottom of the invites, that way they get something that the couple wants.

A bridal shower that I did throw was a kitchen theme BUT it was myself and the moms that got a bulk of the kitchen stuff, the other guests brought what ever fit in their budget & what they wanted to get the bride to be.

Those are great ideas! I have also heard of people just donating money (as their gift) to a honeymoon fund. There is some sort of website that you can go to and set it all up, but I'm not sure what it is...maybe you can google it? If they have everything they need this could be a fun route too since I'm sure they'd love to get away for at least a weekend to someplace nice!

I would be embarrassed by a lingerie party. Remember, relatives (including MIL) might show up. The pantry thing would be neat, but only if she enjoys cooking. Otherwise it just seems like a food bank service. I can see it if it's something gourmet, but really my favorite recipe is spaghetti and meatballs. Not very special.
What about just having a nice "ladies lunch" somewhere? Maybe the brides favorite restaurant or somewhere special.
On another note, she really should go register at a store. People will want to buy gifts and unless she wants 2 more foreman grills, they need to let people know what they really would like/need.

I had a "shoe shower"... The invite listed my shoe size and everyone brought me a pair of shoes to "step into married life". Some were silly, some were fun little pumps, a pair of boots, etc. Honestly, it depends on what your friend wants.

My husband (fiance at the time) absolutely did not want people to buy us serious wedding presents. We lived together years before and he kept saying that we were not getting married for the gifts; the idea that people would give us basic homewares made him uncomfortable because we could provide for our own needs. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I would definitely ask your friend for her thoughts and see if there are any constraints from her or her finance.

ok i will get hammered for this, but: why do they need a shower?

I mean, they are already working fulltime, apparently have their own home and have a child for gosh sakes. Can't people just give them a gift at the wedding?

The entire purpose for showers is for people JUST STARTING A HOME together to get the things they need.

Seems tacky to me.

I think you should do a kitchen/food/recipe themed shower. Then the guests can chose to do a recipe with ingredients OR they can bring kitchen items. Since that is what she needs, that's what I would do.

Can a woman ever have too much lingerie??? I think not!!! Go for the fun personal shower. Just because they've been living together and have a child doesnt mean their honeymoon shouldn't be extra special!!!

The household thing is a cute idea but better suited for someone who doesnt have a household already set up. She is already a mom, she is already a wife. Use her shower to allow her to be a bride.

Go for the lingerie!

Friends of ours had a Home Depot shower which was great because for once the groom was able to enjoy some of the gifts and activities instead of the whole thing being so bride-centric. The got things they actually needed as they were re-doing thier basement at the time. Plus, you could also get things that she needed - flowers, plants, decorative stuff, and kitchen items.

I like your idea, but if she isn't that experienced she might not appreciate people bringing her a bunch of food stuffs that she probably won't know how to use. I would say do a "wishing well" with recipes, and you could get a nice binder and put them in it for her.

I haven't heard of too many themed showers. People will probably just buy off her registry, or bring what they want. I don't think I would want the hostess to tell me "its a kitchen shower." Just my opinion, though!

Good luck.

The Pampered Chef does Bridal showers...complete with the bride and groom being able to register with the consultants website for kitchen items. If you through a PC bridal shower, guest can buy things off the registry for them and buy things for their own kitchens...any items purchased earn free product $$ for the Bride and Groom to use just like regular cooking shows with The Pampered Chef! Plus when you host a Pampered Chef bridal show the consultant does some of the cooking, so cross that job off the to-do list! :) Each guest that is invited could be asked to bring a favorite recipe or kitchen tip....
I noticed you are in Eden Prairie, but I have family in the Twin Cities, I'd be willing to be your Pampered Chef Consultant....if you want more info go to my website...www.pamperedchef.biz/libbysladles
Thanks!
L. Isenberg