Traditional Bridal Shower Gifts
By Adriana Copaceanu
The tradition of hosting a bridal shower for the bride
to be grew out of a desire of the friends and family of the bride
to get to know each other better, strengthen the bonds between new
friends and offer moral support and assistance with marriage planning
for the new bride.
The idea of offering bridal shower gifts did not actually
surface until some time in the late 19th century. Prior to this time,
traditionally, a young woman would come into a marriage with a dowry
intended to help a new family set up their home.
Legend has it that the very first bridal shower originated
in Holland when a young Dutch girl fell in love with a poor miller
and the two had no money to set up her home.
The girl's father refused to support her marriage
to the poor miller, despite the fact that he had spent a lifetime
helping those needier than he.
Because the bride had no dowry due to her angry father,
friends of the bride and groom joined together to shower the couple
with gifts to help them set up their new home. Thus, the bridal shower
was born.
In contemporary times a majority of brides do not
come into a marriage with a dowry, and bridal shower gifts are almost
a necessity, offering a new couple the opportunity to acquire the
materials needed to set up their home.
Most couples register for specific items including
towels, linens, pots and pans and other household accessories.
Typically bridal showers are thrown by friends, co-workers
or members of the bride or groom's family. Not uncommonly, the maid
or matron of honor hosts the bridal shower for the bride to be.
This is not an exclusive privilege however, as it
is not uncommon for a family member or close friend to also hold the
shower.
The purpose of a wedding shower should be to help
the bride and groom acquire the items necessary to establish a first
household, though this rule is not hard and fast.
Many brides who are re-marrying also enjoy all the
benefits of a traditional shower thanks to a more relaxed atmosphere
and expectation in modern times.
Most brides to be register before their shower, though
this isn't always the case. And while you can rest assured that if
you purchase bridal shower gifts from a bridal registry your bride
to be will be pleased, many ladies decide to acquire bridal shower
gifts that are more personalized in nature.
There are several couples who wed who don't necessarily
need household items; in this instance it is always nice to "shower"
the bride to be with pampering items including body scrubs, lotions
and mini spa treatment items.
Bridal showers are a fun way to celebrate the union
of two people and provide the couple to be with keepsake and other
cherished items that will not soon be forgotten.
About The Author
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative
gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday
and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you'll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com.
Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly
newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm
