I’m attending a wedding next month - the bridal shower is being held the night before the wedding, right after the rehearsal dinner (it’s odd, I know, but almost all the guests are coming from out of town, so if they’d had it a month before no one would have been able to attend). Anyway the theme of the shower is “Domestic Goddess.” The maid-of-honor has told us that we should feel free to give anything from personal recipes to lingerie.
I don’t want to give a gag gift but I would like to try and be a bit creative. I found a pair of oven mitts on Etsy that say “hot stuff” which I think are cute - I might get her those, but I’m thinking of putting together a few things that I can give to her in a tote bag. She likes cooking but we both use the same blogs and websites to get our recipes, and I think she’ll probably be drowning in Nigella Lawson related gifts given the theme of the party.
So, any suggestions? Married Dopers, what kind of bridal shower gifts did you sincerely enjoy? Is there anything I should avoid?
The oven mitts sound fabulous - I’d love a pair of those. Link?
The most touching gift I got at my shower was personalized stationery and address labels with my (soon-to-be) new name on them.
If she likes baking and cake decorating, maybe a small “toolbox” of icing spatulas, food coloring, and icing bags with different tips? And if she’s more into cooking meals than baking, how about spices? If you want to get more personal, put them in little glass jars with pretty handmade labels.
I just got my best friend a ‘SeXXy Housewife’ apron (among other things) for her 40th birthday and it was a big hit. Think ruffles, and a pocket. Like this maybe: http://www.overthetopaprons.com/
I think the spices are a great idea. You could put together a homemade gift basket for basically anything she really enjoys. For example, a coffee lover would appreciate a basket of nice coffees, biscottis and a pair of nice coffee mugs.
Maybe a recipe book where she can keep all her recipes organized?
This is more of a gift several people could go in on together, but I also like the idea of getting a wicker basket (which can easily double as a laundry hamper) and filling it with household items like laundry detergent, fabric softener, carpet cleaner, shower gel, lotion, etc.
My go to bridal shower gift is a relaxation basket. Not as useful given the timing of the shower but since wedding planning is stressful I’ve put together several baskets of relaxing bath stuff with a relaxing book (recipients taste) and a bottle of wine. Given the timing you could change it slightly to a romantic evening at home theme - a movie they would both like, wine, candles and possibly a gift certificate to a nice restaraunt that delivers.
Penzey’s has all kinds of different gift boxes full of spices. I’ve given them before, and they’re always a hit. Especially the baking box with cinnamon and vanilla extract.
I once got a bride a gift certificate for a couples cooking class. They liked it and had so much fun they regifted the same gift back to me. AND! They made me dinner as a thank you to show me their new cooking skills. So, really it was a win win for me.
I got a collection of Chinese spices and a Chinese cookbook, which were an awesome present that got a lot of use. I also came in to suggest the Penzey’s gift boxes, which are my standard I-don’t-know-what-to-get present, both for weddings and for things like housewarmings and hostess gifts.
There are a few non-unitasker kitchen gadgets that, in my experience, people often don’t get for themselves, but love once they have them. A good scale, mentioned above, is first on this list. A probe thermometer, one with a good long cord so you can stick the business end in a roast and place the readout on your counter, is another. Of course, now I want one of those cool infrared thermometers, as well! They’re the best if you do any sort of panfrying, where a traditional thermometer just doesn’t cut it with such a small volume of oil.
Things I would NOT get another person include a spice rack, coffee maker and toaster/oven. They’re just too subject to personal preference, and the wrong spice rack will drive you batty trying to adjust to it before you say hell with it and pitch it and buy your own favorite style. (I’m at this point right now, can you tell?)
But I love the idea of a couples cooking class, too!
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! (Hi WhyNot! Long time no see!!)
I should have mentioned that I’m in Korea and the wedding is in Texas, so anything too big or bulky or heavy is not really an option.
Here’s a link to the oven mitt shop: andsuddenly - Etsy I think I might include these and an apron and some handknitted dishcloths in a tote bag. Maybe throw in a wooden spoon and some hand lotion for good measure. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
They had a honeymoon registry, where you could buy them stuff for their honeymoon (a dinner at a particular restaurant, a massage, a tour guide, etc). I don’t think that would be right for a bridal shower, and anyway I’d like to give her a physical gift, however small, for herself.
Here is a personwho makes custom themed totes and purses out of old jeans. If you don’t like what she has there have to be people like this (unique custom something) in Texas. That way you don’t have to worry about carrying it on the plane.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!