Twistie : Ditto. What confounds me is that there is no reason not to invite potential shower guests because they are far away. There’s always the chance they will make the trip, and the invitation itself sends the message that one’s presence would have been appreciated had circumstances allowed attendance! A real invitation furthermore does exactly what these do in cases wherein an invitee can’t attend — she knows when the shower will be and can send a gift if she so chooses.

MissPinkKate: You could send a virtual gift

KES: That is sweet, considering that people must have worked together to put it together ahead of time, much like a card that everyone signs and then sends to a far-off recipient. It doesn’t sound anything like a “gift grab” and probably made those who couldn’t attend a shower feel like they were still participating in the process. I very much like the idea of a box of well-wishes.

As much as distance plays a role in planning a wedding these days, I would feel very sorry for a bride who couldn’t come up with a handful of friends and relatives in her vicinity, should one of them choose to hold a shower for her.

I had two bridesmaids (one of whom was my sister-in-law) who lived across the country from me, but there were still plenty of locals around so my MOH could throw me a physical shower with real guests who got to eat the refreshments, watch me open the gifts they’d so generously brought, and enjoy each others’ company, as well as mine.

This just sounds kind of pathetic and icky.

I know I would probably cry my eyes out if I were thrown a ‘shower’ like this. To me the bigger point is the fellowship, even though I enjoyed the presents very much. If I can’t have my friends there, I don’t want the ‘party.’

Maybe even the option to tag everyone’s blogs.