If you are the maid-of-honor, chances are you are trying to decide what exactly you want to do for the last farewell. You don’t want a party that’s cheesy, boring, and/or offensive to those who will be attending. That’s a lot of information keep in mind when looking for the right theme. Now that we’ve been researching for ShowersBlog for a while, a few themes we’ve discovered seem to satisfy all of the decency requirements, while allowing for a bit of freedom and tailoring to fit the bride’s individual personality. Honestly, it’d be pretty hard to go wrong with one of the following.
Stock a Bar Shower- This is a great theme for social brides/couples who will definitely entertain after saying ‘I Do’. Guests are asked to bring gifts relating to the drinks bar, but general entertaining could help broaden the range if needed. Décor can be anything from bottle lined tables, mock liquor, a designated ‘bartender’ complete with bar set-up, handmade brand signs, and for classier looks, votive candles littered throughout the rooms. This theme works well for the holiday season and co-ed showers. Suggested gift/party items: various wines, spirits, beer and mixers, corkscrews, bottle stoppers, a pitcher, a selection of glasses, bottle racks, a cocktail shaker and mixing instructions, cocktail recipe book, olives, cherries, etc.
Honeymoon Shower- This shower theme requires the guests to bring items which will be useful to the couple when they are on honeymoon or while traveling to the honeymoon location. If you can find out where the couple plans to honeymoon(or where they would like to honeymoon), you can decorate and cater according to that location. Suggested gift/party items: luggage, protective cosmetics, activity attire (ski goggles, swim suite/trunks, hiking backpack, etc.), travel guide books, cultural/region specific music compilation.
A Gift Basket Shower: This theme is awesome for variety and uniqueness. Just ask each guest to bring a basket, box or container filled with imaginative goodies for a designed area of the home or a specific purpose (i.e. romance, indulgence, fun). This allows the guest to be imaginative and creative. A great game could be derived around what each basket is supposed to symbolize/represent. Be sure to have the guests include a card with the basket identifying the theme and listing all of the items in the basket. This will also be very helpful when it is time to send thank you notes.
Around the World Shower: This shower is great for the multicultural bride/couple. You can assign or let each guest pick a specific country, region, or culture that their gift should represent. Just makes sure you keep track of who’s assigned to what place so there are no duplicates. Foods can be a hodge-podge of various cuisine favorites (eggrolls, sushi, taquitos, plantain, etc.), and flags, cultural art and/or regional scenes can serve as the party décor.
Spa/Indulgence Shower- Who wouldn’t want a shower based solely on indulgence, relaxation, and pampering? There are 3 basic options to having this theme. The host can hold the party in her home and prepare the treatments and food spread as a laissez-fair, do it your self day with the girls. Just have each bring a gift specific to a certain type of treatment (body, hair, nails, etc.). Another way would be for the host to hold the event in her home and arrange to have professional masseuses, cosmologists, and manicurists come to her home for a Semi-DIY. The host would only need to provide the ambiance, the décor, and the delicacies. Finally, the host may arrange to have the event at a spa location that is open for private parties, complete with catering for The Full Spa-Monty. Anyway you do it, a good time is sure to be had by all.