I REALLY NEED HELP!!.. what to put on the bridal shower invitations?(money shower)?

Question

.. so i have to make invitations for my sisters bridal shower.. and unfortunatley its a money shower...

I know of no polite ways of asking people for money... so i need help!

what is a nice cute saying to put on the invitation to let people know not to bring gifts...

(i know it might offend some people but my sister and her fiance have been living together in thier own house for 5 years.. they have everything they need... )

although not alot of people know of these kinds of bridal showers they do exist... they are called..

Money Tree Showers..

i just don't know what to write on the invitation..

please please help

i know its a bit wierd.. but its not like SUPER CRAZY.. when i was searching on the internet poems came up .. like this one..

Instead of doing things traditionally

we thought we'd have a money tree

but thats corny

Answer 1

It's rude to ask for money or gifts of any kind in an invitation.  Don't say anything at all, and if people call and ask where they're registered or what they want, then you can say that the couple would prefer cash in lieu of gifts.  If people do bring gifts to the shower, the couple should be grateful that their friends were thoughtful and kind enough to get them something, whether the item is needed or not.

Answer 2

There is no cute way of doing this, b/c you can say what you want, and do what you want, and call it what you want, BUT that does not make it in good taste.  A couple who has everything, should not have a shower thrown for them; that is redundant.  

If you absolutely insist on doing this anyway, the only way to do it in good taste is to leave off the "shower" part altogether.  Because this is basically a party, not a shower.  It is a party with a money tree, yes, but not a shower.  So, invite people to a party celebrating their engagement, send the invites, wait a week, then call everyone to see if they are coming or not, and tell them on the phone that you are having a money tree there to give the couple IF they would like to donate to it.

Answer 3

i think it is a bit rude to have a money tree shower.... dictating what guests should bring as gifts is also rude... registries are just wish lists, people have the option to bring something else.. when asked for $$ peopel feel like they have to give more than they were intending to. Why don't you register your sister at a travel agencey and people can contribute to herhoneymoon or something.. maybe instead of a wishing well, you could have the money tree... i know i would be reaaly offeded if i got an invite that said bring money! plus, alot of people who might have a tight budget would be able to purchase a gift on a CC, but may not be able to produce cash for a tree... of they  might be using a their own gift cards or coupons to purchase the gift..they can't with a money tree... even if you asked for gift cards instead of gifts, that would be better... Home depot is always good... even if they have everything they need, they will still need to do repairs!

Answer 4

I would have a picture of a tree with money on it..not ful yet and state no gifts are being accepted however we will have a money tree to celebrate the new life of (her) & (him).  Come add to the tree and let it grow as the love for these two will through the many years of love that they will share from now to the heavens...or something like that....not to bad for off the top of my head huh lol.  I think thats a aewsome idea though you have for money!  I lived with my husband for 10 years before we got married so yeap there was nothing I needed so we didn't have a shower or big wedding.  Hope they have fun and i'd provide precut ribbions and allow the guest to tie the money on.  Even if they didn't briong anything they most likely will have a few dollars and join it once they see others.  I'd buy a cute tree and put some nice fabric around the base matching the wedding colors and have a nice display still!

Answer 5

There is no way to ask for money that will make it less rude than it is.  It really is way out of line.  If they don't need any household items, then have a lingerie shower or something like that.  Don't ask people for money.  I guarantee you will have everyone you know talking about you behind your back and you will always be the tacky, greedy family.  Show some class.

Answer 6

The whole point of throwing a bridal shower and getting presents on your wedding day is to help the couple get started in their life together--not provide them everything they possibly want.  So if they have been living together for 5 years and have everything they possibly need then they shouldn't be asking people for money or anything else.  They obviously sound like they are secure together and asking people for money no matter what way you do it is really tacky.  I know a lot of people who would just not show up or would just show up with a gift of their choice.  It's rude to invite guests and tell them what they need to bring.  Each person has a level of comfort in what they feel is appropriate to give and who wants to sit around and watch someone open a bunch of money and then feel bad because they only gave $20 when someone else gave $100???

Answer 7

The point of a shower is to help the couple with their new household. If she doesn't need anything and they've been living together for so long then she shouldn't be having a shower at all!!! People will bring money to the wedding as a gift and shouldn't be asked to do it twice. I didn't have a shower because I didn't want my family and friends to spend so much money on me twice.

Answer 8

If they really dont need anything then dont have a bridal party with a registry...or have a bridal party with the girls that includes theme like lingerie only or just state no gifts please.

If my sister MOH just had my family, friends and food...i would be grateful and full!!  

one thing i would do, cause i dont need anything either...but if people want to give gifts...i would only register things that i need to replace or upgrade.  then your sister can yard sale her old stuff and turn that into cash.  everyones happy then:).

Answer 9

I'm Canadian and this is normal for all showers, When my sister married an American, blithely unaware this was rude in the US, I just sent out invitations with Gift Contribution: $25.00, lol !

Ours showers are usually as follows:

Attendants pay for all food, drink, cake, decorations, etc.

Money collected is used to purchase a group card, large enough for all signatures and  3-4 big ticket gifts such as TV, Patio Set, BBQ, Washer/Dryer or 'doing' one complete room ....think the Price is Right style!  Do the math, each person has to purchase 1 card, 1 pkg wrapping paper, 1 gift, $ gas + their time...a great deal

Quite honestly I believe this is a much better way for everyone.  Making guests run around trying to find the 'right' gift for every bridal/baby shower when you don't what the person's decor is, what/how many duplicates she will receive, what her personal entertaining/child raising beliefs are...whew.  

Pay your money, show up, sign the card then sit down and enjoy.  That's the Canadian way!

....and now we can add IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY...less gas consumed by many people driving around for gifts, lol

Answer 10

Some things just arent meant to be. Showers are for gifts. Whats she going to open, envelopes? Talk about putting the guests under pressure.

Truth is, the nicest, cutest little saying in the world is not going to mask the rudeness of this one.

Answer 11

It is rude to ask for money for any event like that.  Go ahead and you can be sure that people will talk about how greedy you are.  Personally, if you want money that bad, why don't you fore go the shower and use the money you saved by not giving the party.  If I were to receive an invitation with instructions of what to give, the most you would get out of me is the lowest denomination bill I could find and you would get it through the mail.

Answer 12

If they don't need anything they shouldn't have a shower.

Or you could have a lingerie shower, spa shower, gourmet shower.

YOUR name is being listed as a host.  Don't allow yourself to get sucked into what your SISTER wants.

It may be her shower, but YOU are throwing it and in truth, get to do what you want.  

Since when did people start dictating what happens when a party is thrown FOR them?  She should just be grateful that someone is doing something.

Answer 13

Never heard of it...

They could register for a honeymoon instead and put that registry in the invitation if they don't need the usual household stuff.

http://honeymoonwishes.com/

I don't know if there is a nice way to let your guests know they need to hit the ATM on their way to the shower.

Good luck!

Answer 14

You could wait and return all the gifts and get the money that way.If I was invited to a shower and was told to bring money I might not would even attend. If they have everything they need why have a wedding shower?

Answer 15

How many times are you going to ask this stupid question?  There is no polite way to ask for money, you know, I know it, we all know it.  Everyone has told you that this tacky, stop asking the question.

Answer 16

It's not crazy, just rude.

If you're determined to ignore your previous answerers and be rude, then just put "We will be having a money tree; please bring a contribution to the tree in lieu of gifts."

Answer 17

http://myregistry.com has an option to register for cash gifts.

I can't think of a more subtle way to ask. You already stated there are no polite ways to ask for $.

Answer 18

rude, rude, rude!!!