Friday, September 5, 2014

Bridal Shower Gift Idea

I get asked about gift ideas at least once a week. Sometimes, you just don't want to write another check to the bride and groom. Because, let's be honest: weddings can get expensive for guests. If a couple has an engagement party, a bridal shower, and then a wedding, that's three parties, three cards, three checks.

When people ask me about how much to give for each occasion, there's my simple rule of thumb. Take what you want to spend and give 25% at the engagement party, 25% at the shower, and 50% at the wedding. So if you have $200 you can give the couple, that's $50 at the engagement party, $50 at the shower, and $100 at the wedding. If there's no engagement party, follow a 25/75 rule (25% at the shower, 75% at the wedding. So with that $200 budget, spend $50 on a shower gift and $150 at the wedding).

But, honestly, I'm gonna suggest that you don't just write checks every time. For the wedding, yes, that's custom. But for the shower, I always encourage gifts over cards. A couple will register and this is when it's customary to purchase a gift off the registry. But sometimes, you want to add your own twist to a gift.

If you do this right, it can be amazing. My friend Jordan, she gave us one of the most useful bridal shower gifts. So of course, I had to take photos (of, well, most of it).

Bridal Shower Gift Idea

We registered for the Real Simple triple laundry sorter and she purchased that off of our registry. But she didn't stop there. She bought us items that we didn't register for -- but were completely useful.
She bought a laundry basket (which Pete actually needed) and filled it with laundry items (she filled it with purple tissue paper too, which I thought about saving and reusing since that was our wedding color, but they ended up getting tossed).

Bridal Shower Gift Idea

Everything she put in the basket is incredibly useful. She filled it with:
Now, you can choose whatever you'd like, but definitely use her items as a guide. She got everything you need for laundry, which is ridiculously practical. And the practicality of it is what makes it such an amazing gift. See, when you're wedding planning, a lot of your money is going towards your wedding. You plan a budget based on the amount of money you have saved and/or can save by the big day. When you set a date, you stop going out to dinner and stop buying new clothes. You buy groceries because you have to eat, but you won't let yourself spend money on anything that's not a necessity. Laundry products, yes, they're a necessity, but they can be expensive (and, if you live in an apartment complex like we do and have to pay $3 to wash and dry a load, it adds up). So to just say, "Hi Bride. I'm paying for all your laundry products for the rest of the time you're a Miss" ... it's fantastic.

And it's one of those gifts that I'll remember too. For a long time (and every single time I use them). Just like the mugs and note we received.

Plus, what was great is we live in North Carolina but my bridal shower was in New York. So Jordan sent the laundry sorter to our address in North Carolina, but brought this bridal shower gift idea with her to the shower. She attached a photo of the laundry sorter to this gift so we knew she got it, but I didn't have to figure out how to pack it in the car to drive it back home with everything else. So smart.

If you're looking for a bridal shower gift idea, you can shop from the couple's registry. Or, like my friend Jordan, you can shop from the registry and from your own imagination to create a great gift. A little creativity can go a long way.

BRIDAL BABBLE: What's the best bridal shower gift idea you've thought of?

15 comments:

  1. This basket of laundry items looks like a great gift !!!

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  2. That's an excellent and useful gift.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  3. I think that this is a brilliant idea. I like all the supplies that are needed for cleaning clothes. I would love this gift at any time. It really takes the time out for not having to go out and buy this stuff right away.

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  4. I think I got things made of crystal and china at my shower, and I use them, but rarely. I am all for the practical items! I like to get things I can consume now, because I really don't need knick knacks or anything. My aunt gave me a wonderful basket of unusual goodies from Trader Joes today for a birthday present, and I love it!

    Aria H.

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  5. This is a great idea - I also like the idea of misc cleaning products, thrown in with some paper towels, paper plates &/or toilet paper - sometimes just having the extra paper goods makes a huge difference in not having to go out for them in bad weather!!

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  6. I got something similar to this when at a bridal shower. I even got clothes pins (which are only $1 at the Dollar Tree, but you're right. . when you're planning a wedding your budget is in the wedding not on "practical" things.). I even got a toilet plunger, toilet paper, and bathroom cleaning supplies at one shower, another practical gift. :)

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  7. Awesome post, the break down of 25/25/50 for gift giving that is incredibly helpful, I never looked at it that way before !

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  8. This is a wonderful idea. It's those little items that we often forget about or have never used that turn out to be so valuable. I also like your gift giving breakdown idea. That makes a lot of sense.

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  9. What a great idea! I would NEVER have thought of this!

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  10. I think this is a wonderful idea for a gift. At least you know it will be something that gets used

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  11. What a great idea giving laundry supplies as a gift. These are products that every household needs.

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  12. I love this idea!
    I would love if you would stop by my Friday Favorites Linkup and share!
    http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com

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  13. Wow, that was so nice and thoughtful of your friend to do.

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