Question by fishdish: I've been invited to a wedding shower . I have already purchased and sent a wedding gift .?
I've never heard of a wedding shower before (I live in the UK). What do wedding showers involve and am I expected to give another gift - and if so what do you suggest.
Best answer:
Answer by NinaPina
Many people give shower gifts though, like any other gift, it is optional. At all the showers I have attended I have given either lingerie, or a Victoria Secret gift card for $ 20. Some showers involve playing parlor games, while others can be dinner at a restaurant. Talk to the maid of honour about what she has planned for the evening.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
What did you send a gift for?
And don’t show up at the shower empty handed.
You don’t have to give another gift. However, it IS the usual custom to give a shower gift if you’ve been invited to the shower. Usually, the shower will have a theme, like a kitchen shower, a lingerie shower or whatever. Check with the hostess of the shower if the invitation didn’t say what kind of shower it is.
When you go to the shower, it’s usually just women. Food is served, and sometimes games are played. Then the gifts are opened and the shower is over. If you don’t want to give a shower gift, it would probably be more comfortable for you if you sent your regrets, since the gifts are opened at the shower.
Wedding showers / baby showers etc are an American thing in which people have parties and their guest buy and take something for the wedding / shower etc.
I’m not sure if they then take another present for the actual wedding day but personally, if you’ve sent the wedding present (as you are suppose to do) and if you don’t want to go, don’t go.
If you do, then take something small if you don’t have the confidence to say “I’ve already posted your present”.
KD
Carry a bottle of wine
They’re common here in the states; but, you’re definitely not required to give two shower gifts. Generally you send a gift in your absence, like if you can’tmake it to the shower. But most likely if you say you’re coming, they’ll hold the shipped gift until the shower for opening in your presence. Now if you are attending the wedding, that is a separate gift; as the shower gift is mainly for th bride & the wedding gift is for the couple.
Hope this helps.
I don’t know the traditions in the UK but in the US its common in a lot of circles to give a gift at the shower and cash at the wedding. If you already sent a gift, you don’t need to bring one to the shower as well. If anyone asks (which I doubt they will), just explain that you sent it already.
Showers require that guests bring a gift. Traditionally there is a door prize, a sort of raffle, so that guests have a chance of being rewarded for generously attending the shower. Your best options are to decline the invitation or to give a gift card for a small amount. Unfortunately many USA shower include the not so polite practice of opening all the gifts publicly. If your gift card doesn’t have a value printed on it, then you are spared public comparison of your gift with the gifts of others.
A wedding shower is similar to a bridal shower. Gifts purchased for a bridal shower are usually purchased with the Bride in mind. Gifts purchased for a wedding shower are usually purchased for the Bride AND Groom in mind. A wedding shower usually takes place about four to six weeks before the wedding. A shower gift and a wedding gift are two separate entities. Here’s some ideas for a wedding shower gift . .
cutlery
bottle of wine or champagne
lamps
desk accessories
beach towels
luggage or carry-all bags
ice cream machine
glassware or stemware
gift certificate to a restaurant
a wine or food cooler
lawn or beach chairs
popcorn machine
Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant
Normally gifts are expected at the shower in addition to the wedding gift. A lot of times you have more freedom with gifts at the wedding shower as compared to the wedding. You might consider getting them something fun or perhaps some artwork to display in their home. I hope that help answer your question. Have fun at the shower!
one wedding, one gift.
plead another engagement on the day of this scrounge-fest. Or (less politely) tell them that neither you nor they are Americans.