QUESTION: Is it appropriate for the future bride to give the hosts of her shower a thank you gift?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: It isn’t just appropriate, ithas started to be expected! Think of gifts that they can use all the time at parties like yours. A nice vase with flowers in it, or a serving dish. I am probably not the best at giving ideas. But yes, a gift, as a thank you, is a must!
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: Whenpeople host a party in your honor, a thank-you gift is always a nice gesture. In fact, a nice gift for each of the party givers is probably the most appropriate way you can show your gratitude for a lovely party. It takes a lot to plan a shower — from the invitations to the food to the location and all the little touches of friendship designedto celebrate your day.
If you’re at a loss for what to give, it can be something related to the theme of the party, a gift thatrepresents thefriendship you share oritems along the lines of fresh flowers, a candle, a monogrammed tote bag orsomething elsethat reflects your appreciation for the friends who cared enough about you and/or your husband-to-be to go to such trouble.
HELEN’S ANSWER: Yes, it would be a lovely gesture for the bride to give thank you gifts to the hostesses of a party in her honor. They are, after all, having a wonderful event for her. The gift should be very thoughtful and can have some special meaning for your friends. Or the gifts could be a book, flowers, a bottle of wine, a nice candle, or if it is a kitchen shower, some kitchen gadgets of their own. Price ranges vary, but, it is something that most brides build into the budget during this special time.
I have also received and given personalized gifts, candy, jars of jelly, and plants and flower bouquets.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Hilarie Blaney, Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant: Certainly give a gift to anyone that honors you with a wedding shower. This topic was a discussion among my walking group last week. My friends had recently hosted three wedding showers and had spent several hundred dollars each just to host one party, plus the cost of a hostess gift for the bride and groom. Not all showers cost this much, but a shower for couples including dinner and a full bar would.
An appropriate gift for all of the hosts would be a very nice bottle of wine and wine stopper. If the shower is less expensive for the hosts, such as an afternoon tea, a personal and/ or meaningful gift would be nice.
I recommend that a small gift be given, even if someone invites you to their home for dinner. Therefore a wedding shower would certainly apply to the same rule, especially because you are the person being “showered” with gifts.
