Bridal Party Gifts in Southern Tier

One of the most fun parts about being a bride in Binghamton is being the center of attention at the bridal shower. The bridal shower is a great place to hang out with your female family and friends (as well as future family). Everyone brings a gift at this party, which makes it even more fun because you can open all the gifts in front of everyone. The party is usually held, at the most, two months from the wedding. This means you can have it any time between the day before and two months before the wedding.

The bridal shower is typically hosted by the maid of honor. Of course, it can also be hosted by your mom, sister, aunt, or whoever else you (or your maid of honor) would like. Generally, whoever hosts the party pays for the party. However, it is not uncommon for all of the bridesmaids to pitch in if it is going to be a particularly expensive occasion. Remember, the shower can be anything from a picnic at the park, to a day at a beauty spa, to a formal dinner at a banquet hall.

One of the best things about the bridal shower is that it typically has a theme, and hence the presents you get will have a theme. This theme will usually coordinate with wherever you decided to hold the party, and is usually associated with the brides personality and tastes. As for the gifts, it is  perfectly acceptable to describe on the invitation what the guest should bring. For example, if you were to have a garden theme, you may ask the guests to give gardening tools, seeds, or garden decorations as gifts.

Typically, you'll want to invite only those people who you are really close with (and who your fiancé is really close with). If the shower is going to be a surprise, you can always consult with your maid of honor (or alternative hostess) as to who you want invited. Make sure you give them a list of addresses for your guests as well, so that they don't have to track them down. Some people think it is good to send invitations to those who you know will not be able to make it (because of distance), however, it is completely up to you who to invite, and if you think those out-of-towners will feel bad getting an invitation to something they can't go to- don't send it.

Some people are starting to get into having couple showers instead of a bridal shower. This is where the fiancé is invited and the guests list consists of both male and female friends and family. No matter which way you choose to do it, make sure you have fun and enjoy the attention you'll be getting!

Seasonal/Holiday Favors

• Candy canes

• Mini Easter baskets filled with foil-wrapped chocolate eggs

• Little plastic pumpkins filled with candy corn

• Simple Christmas ornaments

• Blow-up beach balls with your names and/or your wedding colors

• Miniature heart-shaped boxes of Valentine's chocolates

• Miniature watering cans filled with spring blooms

• Chocolate coins in gold foil

• Sparklers

• Easter eggs (that you've colored yourselves)

• Miniature pots of (four-leaf) clover for St. Patty's Day

Keepsake Favors

• A copy of a memorable photo you have of you (or both of you) with each guest

• A pretty picture frame

• Potpourri

• Several sheets of pretty notepaper with matching envelopes, tied with a ribbon

• Engraved silver keychains

• Pretty paper fans (to beat the heat, and/or to represent your Asian or Spanish ancestry)

• Figurines (Precious Moments are popular)

• Mini replicas, or picture postcards, of landmarks in the town where you marry

• Little blank books/journals

• Music boxes

Edible Favors

• The classic: candied almonds (Italian "confetti")

• A single, amazing petit four

• A miniature box of good chocolate or a single truffle

• Gourmet jelly beans

• Chocolate Kisses wrapped in tissue paper (in your wedding colors, perhaps)

• Mixed nuts in little canisters

• Mints with your married monogram on them

• Everyone's favorite: M&Ms

• Licorice (whatever your favorite is, or match your wedding colors)

• Little tins of butter cookies

• Honey or jam- that you've canned yourselves or from a local gourmet shop

"Living" Favors

• Tree saplings

• Flower bulbs

• Donations to the charity of your choice in each guest's name

• Packets of seeds - your favorite bloom, or one with significance to the two of you

• Potted African violets (or any other plant)

• Flower leis

• Aromatherapy candles

Fun Favors

• Pez dispensers (complete with the candy!)

• Decks of cards

• Bottles of bubbles (can be doubled as "rice" when you leave)

• CD singles (maybe your wedding song, or something classic)

• Stickers (silly ones, or have a graphic-designer pal design wedding-memento stickers)

• Super Balls or Slinkies

• Crayons (you might want to cover the tables with butcher paper, too)

• Yo-yos

• Personalized pens or pencils

• Calendars (little plastic ones or funny rip-off-the-date ones)

• Lottery tickets (give them a chance at good fortune)

After you've read through this list, you may have an idea in mind that you love- but the best thing to do is figure out which section you want to work with and find something that really shows off yours and your fiancé's styles and personalities.