I have successfully avoided these for most of my 46 years. I managed not to attend any for my sisters. I did have a small one myself (didn't enjoy it), and agreed to go to one of a friends maybe 15 years ago (didn't enjoy it). But I have always said no thank you to students who have invited me.
But I couldn't decline the invitation of a student who is such a dear friend and whose kindness (namely watching my dog anytime I got the urge to skip down to South America and who gives me cards and little gifts at unexpected times) is disarming. So it is with a mixed sense of "I can't believe I am doing this" and "I would do most anything to make this young lady feel my appreciation for her" that I have agreed to attend her...
Bridal Shower.
She is having four of them actually, because there are so many people who care for her. I asked that I attend the one that would not require me dressing up (is that so much to ask?). So I will be "bridal showering" with the wives of dairy farmers.
Fitting, I think.
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11 comments:
i *hate* showers.
Things I hate:
1. The stupid games.
2. The small talk.
3. Having to spend an hour watching the bride open stupid gifts (come on, fun gifts are quasi entertaining, but how much can you say "oooh, what a nice towel!" or "great dish set!")
4. That I am often the only one(in a group of female ENGINEERS!) who wasn't wearing a stepford wives pink flowered sun dress.
I don't even have any problems with the gift grab, I just wasn't a gift grab that was also boring and stupid!
God, tell me there will NOT be games.
What the hell is a gift grab?!
I don't think there will be alchohol at this as the family doesn't drink. More than one person has suggested to me that I bring the cup of coffee people are used to seeing me with and spike it heavily.
She is getting a seriously cool gift from me (and a couple colleagues) which will double as a wedding gift - a nice digital camera.
Games I have been subjected to include: toilet paper bride (you make a wedding dress out of toilet paper for the bride and get judged on who's the best), the kitchen utensil thing (where someone comes out in an apron wearing kitchen utensils, like 100 of them and there is a contest to see who can remember the most of what they are wearing), decorating cookies like wedding cakes, writing well-wishes on Christmas tree ornaments, a scavenger hunt of purses, then there's the stupid stuff - like every ribbon you break opening a gift means you'll have another baby, and using the ribbosn on the gift to make a paper plate bouquet to use in the rehearsal... need I go on?
As for the "gift grab", that's the person who has many-many showers to maximize on their gifts. If you have more showers, it means you can invite basically everyone that is coming to your wedding to your showers, plus some people who AREN'T coming to your wedding, gauranteeign you will get at least one gift from everyone you know, and possibly two (or three or four from members of your wedding party who end up stuck attending multiple showers).
Clearly, post college "life" where everyone (but me) gets married means I have been subjected to a lot of them. And given my Kohart woman "charm" that appears to be genetic, I usually end up making stupid and/or sarcastic comments under my breath about one or more of these "traditions", which is why I try to avoid attending if at all possible.
You people are weird. It's just a bridal shower. It's not meant for you, it's meant for the bride. If the bride is someone who is important to you, suck it up and have a good time! :)
Why do I get the feeling I won't be invited to sarah's bridal shower?:)
I definitely won't get invited to Sarah's shower :).
I'm also blacklisted from all pyramid-scheme parties -- pampered chef, candlelite, tupperware, the works. I may make comments about how its an abuse of friendship to get people to buy overpriced crap (ok, not all of it is crap, but it all is overpriced) so you can get a free trinket from a company and suppliment your income.
You're right, though, Sarah, it is about the bride. And that's why I suck it up if its what the bride wants. I'm just saying I won't subject any of *my* friends or family to such ridiculousness when I get married. I am *so* judgemental.
I'm just reminded of Nick, who didn't want to pay for the bachelor party stripper because "strippers don't excite me," and he then had to be told that the stripper wasn't for him and it didn't matter if he didn't want/like it!
I personally think the stupid games are just that -- stupid. But stupidity is fun. I mean, how often do you get to wrap someone in toilet paper? It's hilarious!
And I feel I should also point out that Becca, who hates bridal showers and their games, is always one of the most competitive in said games. ;)
As I said, Sarah, you're right about it being about the bride. That's why I go (or give a gift even if I can't make it), play the games, smile, even wear flowers. It doesn't mean I have to like it or think its a fun time.
The gifts, I think, mean more when you are fresh out of college and just starting life. I think at this point in my life if I were to get married, I would probably ask for no gifts, a honeymoon registry, or donation to favorite charities rather than new dish towels.
Yeah, I was thinking about this the other day. My sister registered for all that stuff because they got married out of college and had nothing to furnish an apartment with. Whereas I'm going to end up in a situation someday where my household will suddenly have TWO beds, TWO TVs, TWO (or more!) computers, plenty of pots and pans and dishes, etc. So I'm totally digging the idea of an REI registry.... :)
Well, if you married Jose (don't panic! hypothetical) he'd be bringing like one mug, one pot, one spoon and a can opener into your household. Your kitchen would hardly be overflowing.
Hahaha, very true.
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