Question:
My sister is getting married soon, and I'm planning a quick all girls wedding shower. However, this is her second marriage and his, and neither need much except home improvement items -- should I include the idea of Home Improvement gift certificates on the invite, and are there any cute home improvement themes you would suggest? Thanks!
Answer:
Dear Millie,
What a great question. Thank you!
Your home improvement shower idea is a natural! Since your sister and her Husband-to-Be have probably already discussed the kind of home they want to create -- or if they are already co-habiting -- then we're probably looking at fine-tuning the home's basic decor.
Let me interject that I'm going on the assumption that you and your sister have talked about a home improvement shower and that she's all for it. Is she registered at a home center such as Home Depot or Restoration Hardware? If so, gift shopping for the invitees is made easy. If your sister isn't registered, talk to her about the idea.
Once the registry (or gift certificate) issue is taken care of, the next concern is to set up the shower invitation so that invitees know what kind of shower you're planning and (discreetly) where to shop for the bride's gift. Shower guests pretty much expect to shop through a registry. That won't be news to them. It's "how" the information is presented that makes all the difference. May I suggest an invitation crafted from wood paneling? Perhaps the information is typeset and printed on vellum and the two pieces are put together by a nut and a bolt or a screw and screw nut. That's a fun way of inviting guests to a home improvement-themed shower! I bet if you go to BrideBingo.com you can have a custom invitation designed for you at an affordable price!
The registry information should be placed in the lower left or right hand side of the invitation in smaller type. It's one of those delicate touches that makes the gift registry request more like a classy whisper than an ill-mannered shout. I have a feeling you and I are already in sync on this one!
I couldn't tell from your question whether your home improvement idea centers around DIY (do-it-yourself) projects and home repairs or if the focus is on accessorizing and home decorating. Then again, it could be both! In either case, you have a number of terrific registry choices you can suggest to your sister. Some that come immediately to mind are:
- Lowes http://www.lowes.com
- Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com
- Restoration Hardware http://www.restorationhardware.com
- Target http://www.target.com (for accessorizing)
- Bed Bath & Beyond http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com
- Touch of Class http://www.touchofclass.com
These sites should help your sister choose one or two registries would be pleasing to her. Each of the stores I'm suggesting is set up to accommodate gift certificates, too.
A cute way to decorate for the shower (if you're having it in your home) is to follow the fixer-upper motif. Carry it out in as many ways as you can.
A top way to create a centerpiece (and have dessert!) is to work with your local bakery on a cake that features a groom carrying the bride over the threshold of their house. Or you could take a photograph of where the bride and groom will live and see if the bakery can duplicate that photo onto the cake. Photos on cakes are a hot trend these days!
Another fun thing to do would be to buy a big red tool box and have it loaded with your shower favors! Or better yet, get two, and use the trays and bins in the second one for snacks, like crackers, sesame sticks, M&M's, etc. If you don't like that idea, the second tool box would be great to keep knives, forks, spoons and napkins in!
Think of home repair items and think of how you can use them as decorations. Can you get a hold of a hard hat? A tool belt? Tie ribbons on hammers and screwdrivers?
Do a walk-through of where you intend to hold your shower and pull from that environment. It's a kick do!
Happy Showering,
Susan "The Shower Diva"
Where Fun Reigns!™
