Holiday Bridal Shower Theme
“Memo-rable Margarita!” Margarita-Shaped Pad with Pencil and Imprinted Bow
The holidays are a wonderful time for many people…you usually have some type of get together with friends and family and you usually don’t have to work on a holiday (which everyone loves!). Bridal showers can be thought of as a ‘holiday’…you have a get together with friends and family and you usually don’t have to work. So why not have the best of both worlds for a day, a holiday shower? (And no, your shower doesn’t have to be on an actual holiday.)
A holiday shower theme is fun, interesting, and helpful for a new couple. With the help of their maid of honor, they can decide whether to have an all holiday’s theme or choose one specific holiday. Everyone has a unique way of celebrating each holiday. The new couple would have the benefit of combined knowledge to decide what traditions they want for themselves.
If you are planning an all holiday’s theme, you could have in the invitations that each guests is assigned a holiday…if it is a specific holiday, like Fourth of July, then have the guest bring a dish around that holiday.
The refreshments served at a holiday shower should also reflect the theme. If the theme is an all holidays, try to have a refreshment from each…juice or lemonade for Fourth of July or apple cider for Christmas. Each guest could bring a holiday related entree, side dish, or dessert. That would need to be specified in the invite. The meal could be served in the same fashion as the holiday theme. For example, a July Fourth shower might be served picnic style. The meal could be simple – potato salad, roasted corn, baked beans and fried chicken. For dessert, a red, white, and blue layer cake or strawberry and blueberry shortcake with whipped cream.
The main idea is to have fun and a surefire way to do that is to have the guests come dressed representing their holiday. This would allow for the more creative guests to really express their imagination. Who wouldn’t love to have the Bride of Frankenstein or the Easter Bunny at their shower! If it is a couple’s shower, the groom and his bride could arrive as Santa and Mrs. Claus. They could give out candy canes and everyone could have their picture taken with Santa!
Favors for the party should also follow the theme. Some interesting items might include a small ornament with the couple’s name and the guest’s name imprinted on them for a Christmas theme.
With a holiday theme shower, the gifts to a new couple give them a head start to celebrate each holiday. For example, the guest assigned Thanksgiving might present a gift which included a big roasting pan, a turkey baster, a thermometer, oven mitts, and an apron.
This theme will be something that everyone will remember, as it is different and fun at the same time…you get to celebrate a ‘holiday’ and to celebrate the bride to be or couple.
Culinary Bridal Shower Theme
“A-Peel to My Heart™” Stainless-Steel Peeler
Do you know a bride to be that loves to cook? Someone that loves creating tasty treats or succulent meals that could rival famous restaurants? Well how about having a food bridal theme that reflects what they love…cooking and food!
Invitations should specify that the bride and groom welcome gifts for their kitchen and request that guests bring a copy of their favorite recipe. By being creative with the wording and text, the invitation can be made to look like a menu from their favorite restaurant!
Centerpieces could be made out of food (carved fruit or vegetables) or by arranging cooking utensils in a basket like a bouquet. For a centerpiece that doubles as party favors for the guests, purchase plenty of wooden spoons. Wrap the business end of each spoon with tulle and, placing a truffle or other treat inside the fabric, tie it off with ribbon or butcher’s twine above the handle…this can be arranged as a bouquet in a basket filled with floral foam but be sure to cover the floral foam with some greenery or moss so it doesn’t peek through! Place the basket where guests can take a spoon as they leave the party.
If it is not possible to have the shower catered by the couple’s favorite restaurant, be sure to serve food that they love! For example, if Chinese food is their favorite but you only plan to serve finger foods, go ahead and serve eggrolls and pot stickers! However, if there is one thing you should splurge on for this shower, it’s the food.
To set the bride (and maybe the groom) apart from the guests, put her in an apron. For the more serious cook, a long sous chef’s apron would be appropriate. For a more casual cook, get a traditional style apron and have the word “Bride” or “Groom” printed across the front. Attractive styles can be ordered online or iron-ons can be purchased from a local craft store along with a plain white apron.
For a fun party game, or just to embarrass the bride, set up a series of blind taste tests. Feel free to get creative with your food choices, but make sure that it is all food that she has tasted before (and isn’t allergic to).
This theme will definitely be loved by the cooking bride to be!
Victorian Era Theme
Set of 4 “Be Seated” Victorian Chair Tea-Light Place Card/ Photo Holders
The Victorian Era refers to when Queen Victoria, who had the longest reign in British history, ruled over the British people…during her reign, economic, political, and cultural, among other things, prospered. Women’s clothing during this time was elegant…gowns trimmed with lace, ribbons, and frills…feathered hats and gloves…the times when women were a vision of elegance and grace. Recreate this time period by having a Victorian theme…
Use Victorian colors such as soft pinks, dusty roses, ivory and creams, and soft blues…the space could be decorated with flower vases filled with roses and miniature roses, snapdragons, morning glory, as well as ivy. If possible, replace existing furniture with rattan and wicker furniture for a more authentic look…also you could have flowered or lace tablecloths covering the tables. Invitations could be made with the colors of that era with lace for the edges or elegantly embroidered with miniature pearls.
Guest can wear Victorian era like clothing, such as a feathered wide rim hat or an accessory or two that reflects that time period. Food that could be served could be finger sandwiches, hot and cold teas, and miniature bridal cakes, just to name a few…for entertainment, guest can play games such as “The Laughing Game,” “I’ve Been to Market” or “Hot Boiled Beans”…if some of the guest play piano, they could play something for the bride-to-be. Goodie bags for the guest could be filled with items such as a small milk bar soap, bubble bath, and bags of herbal tea.
The Victorian Era may have passed many years ago but by creating this theme, you can bring it back and feel as if you were living during that elegant time…