I dont want to recieve gifts at Bridal Shower..so what else do you do?

Question

I live in the States, and my weding is taking place in Canada...as well as all the other wedding festivities. So i dont want to recieve gifts since i would not be able to bring so much back with me. What are some ideas for a bridal shower to make it fun still when you take out pretty much the entire reason for having one?

I dont consider this the stagette either, so it has to be showerlike( if you know what i mean)..

Answer 1

You could have your guests bring canned and/or boxed food items that could be donated to a food bank in your honor.

Answer 2

That's what gift certificates are for!!

Answer 3

You could have your guests bring 'gifts' for a favorite charity or cause? You could even make some kind of game out of it?

Answer 4

Just have a little afternoon party - snacks, cake, mingling guests, pleasant conversation. You don't have to do gifts (but make sure to put "no gifts" very clearly on the invitation, and make sure your family and bridesmaids communicate it by word of mouth).

In lieu of gifts and gift-opening, maybe you could have a "recipe" shower. Every guest is invited to bring her favorite recipe on an index card for you, and to share a story about why it's special. Then they can share their stories when they give the cards to you.

If that's not really your deal, then you could play one game - maybe a trivia game about you and your fiance? But seriously, you shouldn't feel obligated to schedule entertainments for your guests. Keep the shower short - 2 hours, tops - serve some food, and just enjoy seeing family and friends.

If people do bring gifts - and a few will, no matter how often you tell them no - just thank them graciously and set it aside. Don't open them at the party. Open them later and either ship them home, pack them, or give them away. But send a thank you note to the giver, regardless, and never mention (at the party or in the note) that they were not supposed to bring anything.

Answer 5

Ask that people wishing to give a gift instead make a donation to your favorite charity in your name.

Answer 6

friends can give gift vouchers.  

Answer 7

People are going to bring gifts no matter what you say.  The most you could probably do is send out the word to ask them to ship them to your house instead of bring them to the shower.  Good luck.

Answer 8

Gift cards are fantastic!  Easy to carry and you can use them at your convenience.  

Answer 9

you can still have friends and the cake and food like a bridal shower...just explain to them that you dont want gifts (put it in the invitation) and to bring them just to the wedding. you can still have the games too.

Answer 10

The point of a bridal shower is to "shower" you and your fiance with gifts for the new home.  If you take that out of the equation, I'm not sure you should call it a "shower" anymore.  If someone wants to throw a party in your honor to celebrate your upcoming nuptials then maybe it could just be a bridal luncheon or a bridal tea.

Answer 11

The main event of a shower is the opening of gifts. If you dont want to receive gifts, then dont have a shower!

Or, ship your gifts home. Thats what I did. Its expensive, I know, but its the best way to deal with this situation so to not inconvenience your guests.

Answer 12

Since you don't want gifts, you should skip out on the bridal shower idea. After all, the whole point of a shower is to "shower" one with gifts. Instead, you could just have a bridal "party". You could still have the refreshments and cake and balloons, but it wouldn't be a shower. Just a nice get-together with your girlfriends and family to celebrate the wedding and have fun. You could still play all of the games that are sometimes played at showers as well. Simply clarify on the invitations (it is not rude or against etiquette to mention gifts on a shower invitation) that this is only a get-together, not a shower, and you would prefer that no one bring gifts. Have fun!

Answer 13

Sounds like there is no point in having a shower, as gifts are usually purchased no matter what.  Even if you ask for something, you will get gifts.

You can really come out and ask for cash or gift certificates.  Why not just have a luncheon or party with your best friends and family, and leave the whole "gifts" thing out of it?

Most may be aware of your sitaution and give you money and gift certificates, but it is improper to ask for any of these things.

Answer 14

What about a tea party? I know it sounds old fashioned but you could do tea and desserts and make it a "fancy ladies" party. Just write on the invitation "Celebration of wedding; your presence is gift enough" You cannot stop people from bringing gifts but maybe this way they will keep them small or personal.

A friend of mine had a panty party where everyone brought the bride to be a pair of undies that described the gift giver. it was cute and fun and how much space do a few pair of undies take?  

Answer 15

Well you can mention that gifts are not necessary since you are traveling in and out of the country, that all you want is them to be there for you.  If they insist you can recomment shipping ti to your home or gift cards.  

Answer 16

Make it a brunch.  Have a sit down with everyone and eat brunch, drink mimosas, etc...and discuss the wedding with everyone- and let them talk about what they have been up to.  You won't have to play any games or open gifts b/c everyone is at a table enjoying a nice BRUNCH!  Yummy!

Register for a Honeymoon- so they put your gift (money) on a site and you won't have to worry about receiving a gift.  

And on the event invites, slip in a card that says not to bring gifts- but in a tasteful way- maybe ask for all gifts to be mailed somewhere (like your home).  

Answer 17

Get creative with what you ask the guests to contribute.  Ask them to share a favorite recipe--pass out index cards or recipe cards & have them write them down.  You may get a better response if you notify them ahead of time.  You can also play some of the silly little games (not my favorite part of the shower, but it would be an ice-breaker and time-filler).  You could also ask the guests to contribute to a money tree or gift card basket in lieu of large gifts.  You could also sign up for wedding registries with chains that would allow gifts to be shipped to your residence rather than taken to the bridal shower.

Include time for photos, food, and visiting.  Make this a time for relatives and friends from the groom's and bride's side to get acquainted.