bridal shower ettiquette?

[exterra]

Proof that I am not the most social person, and/or proof that I keep a very small number of close friends (or perhaps simply proof that I don't keep the kind of friend who go bridal showers).  I don't think I've ever been to a bridal shower before (and I can count the number of baby showers I've been to on one hand, perhaps one finger?).  I'm going

Comments

[esk]

i do think you're supposed to bring a gift. i've only been to one "real" bridal shower. i brought a nice keepsake box which i thought the bride would like, but then there was a big gift-opening thing in front of the whole party, where it turned out everyone else had brought lingerie/"sexy" gifts of one kind or another (perhaps this was some prearranged gift theme that i had missed out on???). man, i felt incredibly out of place. i've managed to avoid them since.

[exterra]

eek, guess that makes sense. I have no idea what to get -- I'm not really into the idea of getting lingerie and am a terrible last-minute shopper. I like your idea of a keepsake box though, that's really sweet.

[exterra]

gotta love the lingerie thing reinforcing the whole idea of a woman's role in marriage as being, primarily, to sexually satisfy her man whereas at bachelor parties it's all about him getting his sexual appetite satisfied elsewhere, woohoo :p.

[light_string]

since it's a bachelorette party, maybe you could give her a fancy vibrator? ;-)

[beckyb]

Yep, definitely the purpose is to shower someone with gifts. For a new, young bride, anything to help set up the home is a good idea. Gift certificates to kitchen and/or bath and/or department stores are easy and appropriate in this setting, especially if you know they are registered somewhere. Keepsakey things are a good idea too. They will probably be gathering lots these days!
Good luck!

[exterra]

thx! e-mailed the host and realized it is officially a 'bachlorette' party and gifts aren't the focus or necessary expected. but still it might be nice to bring a little something...

[esk]

yeah, bachelorette parties are totally less gifty. hope you have fun!