Wedding What do I need to do for showers?

[sunnygirl]

Hi PS gals!

I have a couple showers coming up in August - one thrown by my local bridesmaids and the other in John''s hometown thrown by friends of his family. What do I need to do/bring for these? I''m assuming I buy gifts for all the hosts (there are 3 for one and 4 for the other.) What kinds of gifts do people normally give?

Thanks!

 

[zoebartlett]

I sent flowers and a thank you note to the people who hosted my two showers. You could also put together a gift basket of some sort or give a gift certificate to one of their favorite restaurants.

 

[Haven]

I gave them pieces from Crate & Barrel--a platter, vase, or some other pretty thing that I thought they''d like. I think I spent about $30 per gift, nothing huge. And I wrote a nice note afterward, of course.

 

[sunnygirl]

Thanks for the replies zoe and haven!

Did you take the gifts/flowers on the day of or send them later? Also, I am taking my bridesmaids (who can make it) out to afternoon tea the day after my shower. Is it okay if I give them one bigger gift on that day?

Thanks!

 

[zoebartlett]

I sent flowers after the shower. There have always been flowers at the showers I''ve attended, and I didn''t want to show up to mine with a bouquet in hand, only to find another (or more than one) at the house already.

I think one bigger gift is fine -- as long as you acknowledge and thank them for their support, I don''t think it really matters when you give your bridesmaids their gift (or how big or small the gift is).

 

[Cleopatra]

I went to a great local bakery and got each host/hostess a gift basket full of fresh breads and jams.

 

[Haven]

Oooh, Cleopatra''s gift was much better than mine!

I brought all the gifts to the showers and gave them to the hostesses (with handwritten cards) after we opened our gifts. That''s pretty standard here, though, it could be a regional thing.