call me old-fashioned

I was recently invited to a bridal shower. The invitation didn't specify where the couple was registered for gifts, so I asked the mother of the bride-to-be if they were registered anywhere. She answered no; that the couple was hoping to receive money to go towards their honeymoon or for putting towards a house.

Call me old-fashioned, but I was taken aback. Brian and I only took a weekend honeymoon to Wisconsin - because we simply couldn't afford a week-long honeymoon to Mexico or the Caribbean (or whatever other popular honeymoon destination). We wouldn't have dreamed of asking anyone to contribute $$ towards that - or for a down payment on a house!

I thought the whole purpose of a bridal shower was to "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts. And how boring would it be as a guest at the shower, to sit and watch someone open...envelopes?

I also thought that giving money to a couple was the standard gift when you attended the wedding. 

I understand that a lot of young couples live together before they are married - as is the case with this couple. So they probably already have everything they need as far as the traditional bath towels, kitchenware, sheets and a Crockpot. But, there are so many other creative ideas out there: you can pamper the bride-to-be with a spa basket or sexy lingerie to wear on her honeymoon. There are couple's gifts such as monogrammed robes, pillowcases and beach towels. I've even heard of showers where couples have registered for things such as tools and garden accessories.

(Pillowcases sold by ZCreateDesign)

All this made me think of my bridal shower. Or rather, showers. I had three of them. This was back in 1984 - when showers were held in church basements and homes, with food prepared by family and friends. Yes, my first shower was in our church basement. There were wedding bells and hearts hanging from the ceiling, as well as some childhood photos of me and Brian. We received gifts such as Tupperware, bath towels, mixing bowls, silverware, a coffee maker, a quiche dish, dish towels and pot holders, salt and pepper shakers, and a punch bowl set. And, of course, a Crockpot.

Our second shower was held at my parent's house and was given by my sister. She made sandwiches, salads, cheese puffs, and dips to go along with the veggie tray. Brian and I had been out shopping and were surprised by coming back to my house full of relatives from both our families. The small living and dining room was packed, with ladies sitting all around on folding chairs and the piano bench. And the gifts kept coming to help us set up our first apartment and start life together as Mr. and Mrs.: sheet sets, dishes, an electric knife, canisters, a spice rack, cookie jar, knife set, toaster oven, picnic basket, bathroom scale, a kitchen clock.

And a honeymoon negligee from my mom. Clearly, my young cousin was amused. ;-)

Our third shower was given by my coworkers. This one was actually held in a restaurant because it was after work hours. The hit of the party was a book called, "The Wedding Night." I don't remember what it was about, only that it was inappropriately hilarious.

My boss read a poem called, "Ode to Products." When a product name came up such as "Dawn" or "Pledge", someone would hold up the product - and then we got to take all these things home with us. So much fun.

As a side note, I can't believe how young (and thin) we look! I guess we were. I had just turned 22 and Brian 24.

Lest you think I have a fantastic memory with what gifts we received at our wedding showers over 32 years ago, here's where I got all that information. Are these keepsakes even available anymore? I loved going through this book and reading my handwritten notes about my showers and the wedding, who attended, what gifts we received, and looking at old photos. And I can hand this keepsake down to Tim someday. Hopefully, he'll appreciate it!

Speaking of showers, that's all it's done here for a million  five, six, seven? days straight. The only clear day we'll have in the extended forecast is tomorrow. So this old-fashioned couple plans on taking advantage of that and getting out of here and doing something fun.

Happy weekend!