I have never yet been to a bridal shower that had a theme other than “a wedding is coming up in the near future, so let’s indulge in cake and fauxtinis with blissful impunity.” Of course, that’s not precisely what most people would call a bridal shower theme, but I don’t tend to run with the kind of cutesy crowd that generally goes in for pastel favors and silly shower games.
Heck, if I could have avoided having a shower, I would have. I was forced to dress up in a funny hat (in this case, a sombrero) that was, as time went on, decorated with an assortment of bows and ribbons later ingested and then expelled by one of my more gastronomically adventurous felines. But if you’re the sort of gal who loves to immerse herself in the trappings of girlish glee, you could do worse than Creative Bride’s purse and shoe favor boxes.
If you’re planning a shower and are keen on handbags and shoes as a party theme–as if they aren’t already an overwhelming life theme for many of us–why not take the whole megashower idea a step further and consult the Ultimate Bridal Shower Idea Book? You could create a whole shoe shower, with high heel bath beads, shoe bag giveaways, and Foot Petals for the bridal party gift packs.
According to Cost Helper, however, more elaborate bridal showers can run as much as $150 per person. Knowing that, you may want to forgo the whole pop-out cardboard look altogether and spring for slightly higher-end (but still entirely reasonable) handbag favors from Hanson Ellis or American Bridal.
EDIT: About five minutes after posting, I received an e-mail from Star 50 Bags, a ling of handbags meant to evoke state-based nostalgia. I can’t decide whether it’s a clever idea or the creators are trying to hard to associate certain designs with certain states, e.g. the Wisconsin cheese log clutch. Your thoughts?)
trying too hard. i actually really like the “cheese log” purse on its own…but now it’s doomed. once you start thinking “hey look, cheddar!”, that’s an association that will never. ever. go away.
oh, but the mississippi brunch bag…now that’s cute, and a much more innocuous connection. better.
Blah! I thought they would be bags in the shapes of states (awesome) These were so ho-hum, and there was nothing for Oregon, lame!
Totally trying to hard… a couple of them were okay on their own but didn’t really need the whole “state theme”
When I read the title I thought it was going to be a shower where you registered for shoes 🙂 I tihnk I’d like that better than getting kitchen gadgets!
~Kim
Girls! Showers! Shoes! OH MY!! These are an ABSOLUTELY adorable decor piece for any event and girls LOVE them!!
I think the WI bag is cute! And, as a Wisconsinite/Wisconsonian/Sconnie, it looks nuthin’ like a cheese log. I may have to purchase…..
When my childhood best bud was getting married and I was her MOH, we agreed: no themes, no party games, no cutesiness for the shower. Luckily, when I married a few years later and she was my MOH, she returned the favor.
I may be old-fashioned on this one, but six to twelve good friends, a few nibbles, and good conversation seemed the best way to have a shower then, and I still like that version best. A few gifts, a slice of cake or pie, a few good wishes, and we’re done.
As for the state bags…I fear what my beloved California will become in their tender mercies. After all, poor Wisconson is reduced to a cheese log.
Poor New Hampshire. That bag is tragic.
Wait…how is there no Texas bag? It’s such an easy mark! And it wouldn’t require any ridiculous leaps of the imagination like the Arkansas Diamond Digger.
And? The Indiana Road Tripper looks like some chintzy piece of crap that was on sale at Wet Seal in 1998. Sorry.
But other than that, cute ideas!
Love the Hawaii weekender.
“Oh cabana boy!”
I threatened my maid of honor with bodily harm if she made me do anything requiring toilet paper, or made me wear any silly hats with bows at my shower.
I don’t mind a few basic games if they don’t require any sort of humiliation of any participants. Quizzes about the bride and groom are acceptable. Really, we’re all just there for the cake, right?
I’m dreading the typical pastels-n-cheesy-games bridal shower, and will more than likely avoid any sort of “theme” (if I have any say in this).
By the way: I was born & raised in Wisconsin; I’m temporarily in Minnesota for school, but intend to move back to Wisconsin in a few years. I have never, in my 26.5 years of life on this planet, seen an actual cheese log. Anywhere. Ever. My grandfather also hauled milk and the manfriend’s mom’s family is a dairy farming family. Yes, they were definitely trying to reach for a theme on that one.
Sorry about the cheese log–if they were going for dairy, could they maybe have done a cute little Holstein-print clutch? I’m relieved that the projected West Virginia bag doesn’t sound like something that will only perpetuate the negtive Appalachian stereotype! BTW, enjoyed a lovely, if conservative, bridal tea thrown by my church choir ladies (all a bit older than I). No humiliation.
I was born and raised in the Midwest. I’m temporarily in Minnesota for school, but intend to move back to Wisconsin in a few years. I have never, in my 26.5 years of life on this planet, seen an actual cheese log.