Home Decor Gifts Wholesale

By Mark Etinger

June is the time of year for most weddings, but today many couples elect to have their weddings during other times of year as well in order to escape the crowds. With that being said there are many things to do for an about to be wed couple, among them the bridal shower. How do you get the affianced exactly what she wants? Well, follow the steps in this article to get a better idea.

1. Sometimes the invitation presents the bridal shower theme, which could be "kitchen," meaning that hostess sets and Gorham silverware are ideal presents. Or it could be "crystal" suggesting wine glasses, champagnes flutes, or Swarovski pitchers. "Personal" suggests items that may be for the bedroom, like sexy lingerie or silk jammies. Beware of getting too personal; you don't want to confuse the bachelorette party with the bridal shower.

2. The bridal shower hostess may list where the bride is registered, but if she doesn't do so on the invitation, feel free to call and ask her.

3. If there is no theme, and no registry, think about the bride herself. What does she like to do as a hobby? What is her style, both with regard to clothing and personality? Is she at home in the kitchen? Or does she prefer the garden? There are many options for home furnishing, including items for the bath or bedroom. A beautiful picture frame, for example, would be perfect to house a new wedding portrait. It's important to think about the bride's tastes and preferences.

4. If you don't know the bride very well, ask around to get an idea of what she's like, and what she likes. Call her family, her friends, and the hostess of the bridal shower. You can even ask any of the other invites whether they want to go in with you on a larger gift, to get something extra special for the bride to be.

5. Consider the bows and wrapping paper you use for your gift. Often the bridesmaids use the remaining scraps to hold the bride's bouquet during rehearsal.

6. Get the bride something she will use every day, or at least treasure for special occasions. Reed and Barton silverware, for example, is something that the bride needs, yet won't use all the time. It's a perfect bridal shower gift because unless she's inheriting her grandmother's silverware, she won't put aside the cash it costs to buy a set for her entertaining needs. While functionality is important, quality is even more so. That is, unless the bride is a fun loving lady, and you plan to get her something that accords with her hobbies. And yes, you have to get a bridal shower gift and a wedding gift, a good idea is to get items that complement each other; for example, Gorham silverware for the shower and a set of fine china dinnerware for the wedding. Spend what you can afford and remember to put a to/ from card on your package so that no one else gets the credit for your good taste.