Hello,

My friend has communicated to me that she doesn’t like cheesy shower games nor does she like to be the center of attention. I have the idea of asking guests to wrap their gifts in clear cellophane so she will not have to unwrap them in front of the crowd. Does anyone have any ideas for non-cheesy, non-attention-centered-on-the-bride games or activities? I feel like we are going to need to have more than just food, dessert, and gifts displayed on a table.

Thank you!
Michelle

Amy Rubins,

Can you host an interactive shower like a wine tasting or cooking demonstration? Something where everyone is equally involved. It doesn’t have to be at someone’s home but rather a cooking school or restaurant where the staff would assist you. I know there’s several such places where I live so look around and see if this is a possibility. If you live in wine country, a vineyard tour is always fun. Regarding gifts, I guess wrapping in cellophane or something similar would work. Or if your friend is painfully shy, perhaps guests who brought the gift could unwrap their own and tell the guest of honor why they picked out the gift they did. Still not entirely sure if the guest of honor can really avoid being the center of attention. Besides, how is she going to handle her wedding day? Anyway, hope these ideas give you another idea to make this work.

Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites,

Since the focus of the bridal shower is the gifts, this might be a good reason to host a giftless shower. I think guests might be put off if the bride won’t unwrap her gifts.It wouldn’t be polite to take gifts home unwrapped.

Brandi Hamerstone,

I love the idea of having an interactive shower! There are so many great options at local businesses. You may have to contact the places directly since they might not advertise such a thing. Even a class in something the bride loves to do would be great.

It is customary for the bride to open her gifts at the shower but, at the same time, she shouldn’t be made to feel so uncomfortable. Wrapping in cellophane doesn’t change the fact that she doesn’t want to sit in front of everyone to accept the gifts. At the same time, I agree, if she is totally uncomfortable, maybe offer the idea of a gift-less shower so that no one is offended if she doesn’t open them and then she too isn’t put on the spot.

The last bit here would be about the games. You could certainly do games that involved the group and not the bride. Scavenger hunts, where the guests go and find other guests with say a red purse or someone who has three kids, that gets the guests talking and doesn’t directly involved the bride. Otherwise, you could just skip games totally since the bride isn’t a fan. While a game-less shower doesn’t seem like fun to you, if that’s what the bride wants, that’s how the shower should go.

Donna, Wedding Queen, President; Top Wedding Sites

I was at a shower recently where the ladies, unbeknownst to the bride, interviewed the groom about the upcoming wedding and parties like the bridal shower. It was fun to watch, and not interactive at all. But, then again, you’d have to have the right groom to pull that off.