| The truth is that if you're a woman, there's a | | | | that nobody will be stuck in the kitchen, and |
| good chance that at one point or another you | | | | everyone will be able to participate. Maybe a |
| have been invited to a bridal shower that left you | | | | student masseuse could be hired for a couple of |
| scratching your head or ready to gnaw off your | | | | hours to give foot massages or a student |
| arm just to get out of the room. Remember the | | | | cosmetologist for manicures and pedicures. Food |
| dreaded bridal shower game of dressing up one | | | | should be kept simple if at all possible. Nobody |
| or more of the ladies in the room with a mock | | | | should be in the kitchen cooking, heating up, or |
| wedding dress made from toilet paper? | | | | assembling, while at the same time a mess for |
| Or perhaps you are more familiar with the | | | | the hostess should be avoided altogether. A good |
| embarrassing questionnaire that the guests were | | | | idea is the potluck, or if you have the funds, have |
| to fill out, only then to have to stand up and read | | | | some finger foods catered. |
| answers to questions you wouldn't even spell out | | | | Gourmet cheeses and crackers, some wine, |
| in the Sunday confessional. Perhaps it is for this | | | | canapes, petit fours, crab cakes and grilled |
| reason that bridal showers have become a bit of | | | | vegetable foccacias make for a wonderful spread |
| a bad reputation, and why so many invitees are | | | | that is easily put together and does not require |
| sending their regrets and a gift certificate. | | | | much in terms of reheating. Advice is a big part |
| Fortunately there is a movement underfoot to | | | | of the party. Especially if the bride is walking down |
| breathe some new life into the borderline dead | | | | the isle for the first time, many well-meaning |
| radition of the bridal shower that has so many | | | | ladies have oodles of ideas and tips on how to |
| women roll their eyes at the thought of actually | | | | keep the marriage blissful. Usually a book is sent |
| attending. | | | | around to capture those pearls of wisdom, but |
| The times of embarrassing games and activities | | | | how about trying a new twist? Instead of putting |
| are coming to an end and instead new and | | | | together a book, why not all each guest to write |
| improved activities ensure that the bride still | | | | out their advice on a piece of parchment paper |
| receives her shower, guests still bring lots of | | | | and then affix it to a bottle of wine. Both the |
| presents to help the new couple start out their | | | | wine and the advice can then be enjoyed |
| life together in style, and games are still being | | | | together by the married couple and make for |
| played - but with new twists! Follow these easy | | | | great conversation starters. |
| tips and you too will be able to throw a bridal | | | | If the bride or groom happens to be teetotalers, |
| shower for a young or more seasoned bride with | | | | the paper can easily be affixed to chocolate bars |
| easy boredom-free ideas! | | | | or any other food or drink item the couple will be |
| Decide on a theme and run with it. Just because | | | | able to enjoy together. So go ahead and allow |
| presents are involved, this should not make | | | | yourself to enjoy the celebration of the bridal |
| everything else about the occasion melt into the | | | | shower again. Revel in the changes, and allow |
| background. Instead, you may wish to contact | | | | your ideas to roam free, and no longer feel the |
| your local jewelry sales lady, candle gal, or make | | | | obligation to follow in the footsteps of boring old |
| up aficionado and see if their companies offer | | | | games that are long past their prime. Have fun |
| some kind of party package. Most of them do, | | | | with the shower and during the shower! The bride |
| and this will go a long way to allow the girls to | | | | will thank you for years to come for the |
| sample some make up, try on some jewelry, and | | | | thoughtful afternoon or evening you put together |
| sniff the soothing smells of sweet candle wax. | | | | for her. |
| You may want to serve some finger foods so | | | | |