Bridal Shower ideas/games/favors/etc...
Sandra Flor
I have saved all the ideas that I have found into 2 large files.
I will attach the first file at the end of this post, and send along the
second file in another post.
Good Luck!! Enjoy!
-- Sandy
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From: "Rebecca S. Sittig" <rs...@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
The most fun theme I've ever been involved with was the "Around the
Clock Shower". We made invitations that were clock faces and made the
hands point to different times for everyone. The guests had to buy a
gift corresponding with the time on the invitation. (if your invitation
said 8:00 am, you had to buy something for an activity you thought the
couple would be doing then - sheets, bathroom, breakfast, etc.)
People usually get pretty creative and it's lots of fun - makes opening
the gifts a game in itself. R.
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Theres a great magazine published 4x per year called Bridal Crafts.
They always have lots of ideas for favors.
Bridal Crafts
701 Lee Street
Suite 1000
Des Plaines IL 60016-4570
phone: 1-800-crafts-1
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Buy a $1 scratch ticket for each guest. Roll them and tie them with
ribbons in the color of the wedding.
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You may have to go to the library to confirm this, but I believe
there's a book out called -- ta da! -- "The Wedding Shower Book"
that has _lots_ of good ideas on theme showers.
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Another idea for bridal shower favors is that you take a square
of white lacey material and fill it with a few jordan almonds (colored
ones or all white. Draw up the edges of the material and tie a narrow
ribbon into a bow to hold it all together. It looks really nice and
is not too expensive. Another thing you could do is to go the a craft
store and buy those little inexpensive plastic wedding rings or tiny
umbrellas and attach these little trinkets to the candy favor you just
made from above. Colored mints in tiny weaved baskets that they sell
at craft stores with a small bow glued onto the top of the basket are
easy to make also.
Hope this helps you out.
Trese
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My friend threw me a bridal shower and she made some really neat favors.
She bought these little baskets about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Then she sprayed them white and used a hot glue gun to glue some pink and
white lace around the edge of the basket. For the shower she got the
hotel to make chocolate dipped strawberries and put these in the basket.
For the centerpiece she used a medium sized white basket. She glued pink
and white lace around the edge of this basket too. The basket was filled
with nice things for the bride (eg. scented soaps, face cloth, etc). It
was very nice.
Another shower I went to had cookies for favors. The bride loved
chocolate so she baked chocolate chip cookies (3-4 inches diam) and
sealed them in seal-a-meal bags. Then she baked a huge cookie (over 12
inches across) with Congratulations written in chocolate chips. Yummy.
Hope this helps, Sylvia
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At a friends wedding, they got netting and ribbon and Ande's mints, and
tied up a pair of mints together in a square of netting. It all went
together very fast. Netting and ribbons were in the wedding colors,
of course, and available at fabric shops.
Or, just wander thru a few of the crafts supply stores in your area.
One near me has tons of bridal type stuff, from the tiny plastic
champagne glasses to bulk jordan almonds. Wander thru and decide
what you like. I bet they have idea books there too. (Wish I'd
found this place before my wedding....)
Also, try a post to alt.weddings, if you get it at your site. They
are full of suggestions.
Best of luck.
--
Kaye Trimbath *
Data I/O Corporation *
voice: (206) 867-6230 *
email: trim...@data-io.com * My opinions are mine, all mine..
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>From: ta...@spectra.com (Melissa Tang)
>Subject: Re: shower favors
>Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 22:34:12 GMT
>In article <farr.759081225@nyquist> fa...@ee.ualberta.ca (Catherine Vaike Farr) writes:
>> The mention of the pillow reminded me of tablecloths.
>> One person I know got everyone to sign a table cloth. She
>> then embroydered over the names with various colours the
>> bride had chosen.
>> Another person has a red cloth with the best wishes from
>> everyone that was at their wedding. They have mounted this
>> cloth and it is now hanging on one of their walls.
>>
>> Catherine
>>
>Was the person who had this red cloth by any chance Chinese? It is a
>Chinese tradition to have red silk cloths for the wedding guests to sign. I
>had two at my wedding and they ended up being like guest books (I had a
>typical guest book too).
>Another shower favor that we did for my cousin was miniature wreaths. We
>bought small wreaths, wrapped ribbons that matched her wedding colors around
>the wreaths, added some babies breath and two small hearts with her and her
>fiance's names on them. We made them into refrigerator magnets.
>I just remembered another one that I really liked. The bridesmaids bought
>the 3x5 clear, acrylic magnet frames and wrote the bride's name on them
>using shirt paints. They added ribbons around it too.
>Melissa
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From: ox...@skopen.dseg.ti.com (Gail Oxton)
Subject: Re: shower favors
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 18:53:27 GMT
For my bridal shower, the hostess made potpourri bags. She bought
blue fabric and white ribbon 1/4" wide (blue & white were my wedding
colors), cut the fabric into squares using pinking shears for a "ruffled"
edge, placed a small amount of potpourri in the middle of each square
and tied up the "bag" with the white ribbon. She also wrote "Gail's
Bridal Shower" and the date on each ribbon (probably before tying).
They were easy and inexpensive to make, but they looked very pretty.
She had them sitting in large basket as a table centerpiece (also
adorned with blue & white ribbon).
---
--Gail
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My sister made the favors for my bridal shower. She started with small
candles (6" tapers). Each candle had a piece of lace wrapped around it
and tied into a bow. A small piece of baby's breath was tied into the
bow. These were done in my wedding colors (pink candles with white
lace). They looked very nice and were quick to make.
--
-Beth (bp...@virginia.edu)
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Date: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 09:06:37 EST
From: <MAH...@rohvm1.rohmhaas.com>
Subject: Re: shower favors
If you have access to a fabric and craft store, a quick, inexpensive
bridal shower favor idea is 8" squares of white bridal veil netting
filled with either mints or potpourri (a little more expensive than the
mints). Place the mints in the center of the netting and gather up
with a thin, white satin ribbon (or you could use white wrapping/curling
ribbon). Craft stores sell gold plastic wedding rings which are very
inexpensive. Before tying the final knot, slip on two of these wedding
rings on each favor. Curl the ribbon, fluff the netting above the knot
and you have very nice looking favors that don't cost too much to make.
If you use the potpourri, look for netting that is tight or use two
squares so it doesn't shake out. If you use mints, smaller (and white)
are better.
Meryl <><
rohvm1...@rohmhaas.com
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From: jcm...@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Subject: Re: shower favors
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 01:27:55 GMT
One more thought about shower favors. I have been to several
bridal and baby showers and have a cupboard full of stupid little
do-dad dust collectors I dont know what to do with but just cant
throw away. Based on that...I would make a favor that could be
used. For my sisters wedding we wrapped small bars of fragrant
soap in cloth that matched the bridesmaids dresses. We then
tied ribbon around it-like you would a gift and put a small ribbon
rose on top. When I got tired of looking at it-I unwrapped it and
used it.
I guess my point is : if you're going to spend hard-earned money on
this stuff it might as well be useful.
At one wedding I went to, small silver jelly/condiment spoons were
tied w/ribbon and silk flowers.
Do you have any "All for a Dollar" stores in your area? Check them
out.
The bars of soap I spoke of earlier came from the "travel-samples"
bin of a drug store. They were 50 cents or something.
Check out your local library. Ours has a book devoted totally to
baby and wedding shower favors.
Keep us posted...let us know what you decide to do.
Regards....Mary
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From: "Rita M. Motor" <rm...@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: sa...@sw.stratus.com (Sandra Flor)
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
In-Reply-To: <2kj35g$7...@transfer.stratus.com>
Distribution: world
Status: RO
I'm new to this group, so I don't know what kind of responses you have
recieved, nor what types of crafts you have done. But I can tell you some
favors I have recieved (and what we did for my shower).
A friend had a 'kitchen' shower. The favors were small metal whisks, with a
small silk flower hot-glued to the handle (the flowers that come 10 to a
small pack, only cost a few cents).
For a Cousin's shower, someone made little wreath magnets - the 'wreath' was
premade, I think. Small dried flowers where hot-glued onto it. its about
1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter.
\Another friend's favors were popourii gathered in nylon mesh, tied with a
pretty bow. This was a couple years ago, and it still smells nice!
For my shower, we ended up buying very small 'gift' bags (about 1 inch or
so high). We got the very thin ribbon, and the small silk flowers (come in
bunches of 10 or so), and glued a flower and ribbon bow to the outside of
the small bag. Inside, were a handful of mints in nylon mesh, closed
with the same ribbon. We had also considered getting the mini plastic
gift baskets (wrap the handle with the ribbon), or mini champagne glasses.
Good Luck!
Rita Motor
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From: ring...@bcvms.bc.edu (Kristin J. Ringuest)
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
If you don't want to go through the trouble of fashioning some intricate
craftsy thing that inevitably seems to end up on the back seat floor of
someone's car, here's an idea.
I gave a shower for my best friend 2 years ago (wow it seems like
yesterday). We didn't have much time or much gumption to drag out the glue
gun, so I went to a place called the Christmas Tree Shops and bought a
couple of cases of glass crystal votive candle holders and boxes of candles
in her colors (pink and blue). Votive candles, by the way, are tiny and
squat. The holders are no more than 2 inches tall I would say.
There was *no* exertion necessary and they were an amazing hit. The whole
thing cost about $1.00 a favor. I don't know if you have Christmas Tree
Shops, but I'm sure there are different similar type discount stores near
you.
Good luck and have fun!
-Kristin (who refuses to have games at my shower, IMHO)
ring...@bcvms.bc.edu
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From: abos...@ucrac1.ucr.edu (Amy Marshall Boswell)
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
Hi Sandy,
When my sister had a bridal shower for me last spring, she gave the guests
pots with tulip bulbs. They were simple clay pots, and she wrapped them in
netting and tied them with pretty ribbons. She also attached watering and
other care instructions. Everyone I spoke with said they thought this was
a wonderful idea.
Amy Boswell
UC Riverside
abos...@ucrac1.ucr.edu
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Subject: RE: Ideas need for bridal shower
Hi Sandra,
I recently had to do that do, it does cause some stress doesn't it? You
want to be original, but you don't want it to cost a fortune either. I did
up some favor using small candles (the hanging one that are connected by the
wick). There are alot of different things you can do if you have a glue gun
and some ribbon with these. It was a hit at the shower. I also
went to a few showers, where they gave away small plants, you can work with
that idea too. Good luck!!!
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To: Sandra Flor
Date: 94-02-25 12:39:05 est
From: MSO_...@MVAX.MSO.HAWAII.EDU
Subject: Shower favors
From s...@wam.umd.edu (Sonja E. Kueppers)
Newsgroups: alt.wedding
Subject: Re: Wedding Shower: Favors???
Date: 26 Sep 1993 15:57:36 GMT
I was just at a wedding shower last weekend, and they gave out little
baskets of potpourri. This may not sound especially useful, but
it was very useful to me -- because they also tied ribbons around
the basket in the wedding colors. This allowed me to get an exact
color match for the sampler I did for the couple. (It just so happens
that their home is decorated in these same colors...)
I had never expected a favor to be so useful. :-)
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From v087...@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (Donna M Hutchison)
Subject: Re: Wedding Shower: Favors???
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1993 00:00:00 GMT
I gave a shower last March for a very close friend of mine.. the shower favors
(which I have recieved some sort of at every bridal shower I have been to)
were small crocheted (spelling?) hats that doubled as pincushions for sewing.
The bride was planning a victorian style wedding so the lacy-edged hats with
ribbon and flowers fit right in. (Public declaration: My mom did all the
work, I just glued on the ribbon and pushed in a few "hat" pins).
As to games, there are many types mentioned in previous posts here, but since
time was short at the shower I hosted, I had everyone write on small cards
a piece of advice for the B&G. Then the bride read them aloud. Things like
"never go to bed angry" and "Make sure right away he knows who's in charge!"
:) and I also made a little True/false quiz of wedding traditions for
people to try their hands at. It was a lot of fun, but most of the afternoon
was taken up by eating and opening presents.
hope that helps!
-Donna from Buffalo
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To: Sandra Flor
Date: 94-02-28 12:38:46 est
From: Lorae McCall (replied)
Options: low priority
Subject: RE: Ideas need for bridal shower
I went to a bridal shower once where everyone was sent a 4 inch square
(either blue or off-white) with the invitation and asked to do something
creative with it...all squares would be pieced together to make a small quilt
for the bride and groom. People either cross-stitched, used fabric paint,
made their own 4 in. quilt patch, or whatever. Even people that didn't sew
participated... One person sent back the square without doing anything,
another just sewed on a pretty lace design that she purchased at a fabric
store. The resulting quilt came out pretty nice.
Another tradition in NY where I'm from is to have a wishing well. I never
saw this at a shower around here. Everyone brings an inexpensive kitchen
item in addition to their gift (rubber spatula, mixing spoon, etc)...no need
to wrap, and all are thrown into a big wishing well that you can make, or you
can just used a decorated basket.
Lorae
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You can always make silk roses in the same color theme as that of the
wedding. These roses can be filled with candies, potpuri etc
The cost to make one is approx 50-70 cents appiece, and in one evening
you can make about 50 if you never made one before.
For complete instructions on how to make them please send $5.00 to
Classic Keepsakes P.O. Box 97143 Pittsburgh Pa, 15229.
Please send check or money order only!!!
--
Geo G. Zaun
Pittsburgh Pa.
g...@telerama.lm.com
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Date: Tue, 1 Mar 94 13:45:42 PST
From: Tamra.He...@gain.com (Tamra Heathershaw (contractor))
To: sa...@sw.stratus.com
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
My favorite favors of all the weddings I've been to were cast paper
hearts in the wedding colors...they were about 2 inches across, maybe a
little more, pale pink, with a pink bow glued on. I liked them for the
simplicity, and also because I could then glue my heart on a card and
send it off to my mom and tell her about the wedding! The cast paper
things also make great xmas decorations.
I believe they were made by making the paper "sludge" and then pouring
in into a heart-shaped tin cookie mold that's sitting on a paper-making
screen. You could also do pressed paper in the clay cookie molds.
There are a couple of books out on the market with good instructions on
this. I get my molds and paper linter sheets and instruction books at
Michael's crafts, and I've seen several articles in past issues of the
craft magazines on the subject. Good luck!
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From: carole_...@iegate.mitre.org (Carole Mahoney)
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
I got the job of making the favors for my brother's wedding and just
started last night. A small potpourri sachet is pretty, simple and
inexpensive to make. Cut 7 or 8" squares of inexpensive fabric...I bought
some fabric and used some leftover pieces from other projects. The fabric
can be all different colors or the bridal color theme. You can cut 15
squares from 5/8 yard of 45 inch wide fabric. Cut ribbon pieces (about 8
inches) to tie them closed. Put about a quarter cup of potpourri in the
fabric and hold it together and tie with ribbon. Tie a knot and then a
bow. If you want to get fancy, you could tuck a silk flower in the
ribbon. My husband and I made 25 last night in an hour. I cut, he scoops
and knots, and I tie the bow. Only 75 more to go! The house smells so
pretty, too!
Have fun!
Carole
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From: carole_...@iegate.mitre.org (Carole Mahoney)
Subject: Re: Ideas for bridal shower favors needed
In article <sherredC...@netcom.com> she...@netcom.com (Juggler)
writes:
> was to have each guest (ahead of time) submit a favorite rescipe. Befor
> the day of the shower, put them all togerther
My mother's friend came up with a cute poem to include in the shower invitation along with a recipe card. Then of course, the bride will have a nice new recipe box filled with favorite recipes from her family and friends.
Here's the poem:
Enclosed for you is a recipe card.
To fill it in shouldn't be hard.
(Bride's name) might like to try your favorite cake,
or whatever it is you like to make.
So don't forget this card on this special date
Fill it in now, don't hesitate.
At the shower, there will be a recipe box to fill.
So bring this card along, if you will.
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Subject: RE: IDEAS FOR BRIDAL SHOWER FAVORS NEEDED
I JUST HAD MY SHOWER THIS PAST SATURDAY (FEB. 26). ONE OF THE BRIDESMAIDS MADE
MY FAVORS. SHE BOUGHT SMALL GRAPEVINE WREATHS AND DECORATED THEM WITH DRIED
FLOWERS AND SOME SPANISH MOSS AT THE BOTTOM WITH A RIBBON IN THE MIDDLE. IT WAS
ALL DONE IN MY COLORS AND EVERYONE REALLY LOVED GETTING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
SHE ALSO PUT A RIBBON AT THE TOP, SO YOU COULD USE IT AS A CHRISTMAS TREE
DECORATION OR ON A DOORKNOB OR JUST AS A LITTLE DECORATION. SHE MADE TWO COLORS
OF THE RIBBON SO THAT EVERYONE HAD A CHOICE. I THINK THE WREATH SYMBOLIZES
WELCOME OR SOMETHING. IT IS IN A CIRCLE SO IT COULD ALSO MEAN NEVERENDING LOVE.
ANOTHER IDEA IS WOODEN SPOONS WITH A SMALL BAG OF POTPOURRI TIED ON THEM IN
YOUR COLORS IS ALSO NICE.
I HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL. IN EACH INVITATION THERE WAS AN INSERT TO BRING A
RECIPE TOO. THIS WAY THE BRIDE-TO-BE HAD A HEADSTART ON A RECIPE BOX.
MARTHA CHEETHAM
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
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