Another summer, another wedding season. We have a minor amount of weddings this summer, three to be exact. I consider myself lucky, and I’m counting my blessings. We all know how expensive weddings can be, and that’s not including engagement parties, bachelor/ette parties, and wedding showers! I found an interesting article online about the proper way to “expense” them, but would have a hard time actually following through. See this article on Wedding Gift Etiquette for advice on how much to spend for each.
As much as I love attending weddings, I am just not one for showers. Real showers with soap and water, yes. Rain showers, okay. Baby and wedding showers…not so much. Now, of course I attend with a gift and a big smile, but I think it’s no surprise to most women when I say they’re a little boring. The best thing about them is the free food and drinks. Take advantage of both. Just be careful with the amount of alcohol you consume, you have to at least stay awake through the grand finale: the opening of gifts. This is usually the point when I start thinking…wow we really need a new _______ <insert whatever gift the bride just opened>
“Wow! I really need to buy new dish towels”
“Wow! We could really use a new blender.”
“Wow! We could really use one of those…wait…what is that?”
Then I remind myself never to invite any of these women into my house until I can buy all new housewares. And maybe new carpet too. I should probably at least get that cleaned professionally. And the windows! Those should be cleaned too. Okay no one is ever coming over. Could we get away with having another wedding shower? Is there such thing as a one-year anniversary shower? Wait, is that lingerie? Oh that’s cute…maybe I should take a trip to Victoria’s Secret when I leave here…
Because I didn’t realize that the wedding shower I was attending last weekend was registered at several places (insert foot in mouth here), I was fretting over what to bring as a gift. I searched for ideas online, and when nothing came up, I spent a while trying to come up my own gift. Now, after reading the Wedding Gift Etiquette, I realize I made a major ‘no-no’ when it comes to the gift. Wait for it….wait for it….
I didn’t buy off the registry!!!!!
Although I did feel a little bad, at least we have the actual wedding to make up for it. And my gift seemed to go over really well. I heard people referring to the gift, saying how creative it was (all the while thinking “Ha! And it wasn’t even on the registry!”). So hopefully she liked it as well, and I didn’t make too much of a mistake!
I started with the idea that wine is always a good gift to give. Who doesn’t want to pour a glass of wine, relax, and de-stress. Especially while planning a wedding! I figured the most important steps of wedding planning were not completed yet, and made little tags for each task (Print Them Here). I printed them, cut them out, attached one to each bottle, put them in a basket with some fluff, and ta-da! Done!
I bought my basket at Michael’s, and while I was there, I couldn’t help myself from the $1 bins in the checkout lines. I found a cardboard ‘B’ as well as a cute flower pin for decoration. I used Modge Podge to give the B a little more spunk, and just used the two things as accents. I also put together a card to match!
The basket turned out really cute, and I think I’ll be making it again. But this time ONLY if they’re not registered! 😉
I just love this idea!! I am sure she loved it as well. Everyone goes off the registry. To me, this is more meaningful. I will definitely be stealing this idea in the future!! Thanks!
Fab idea! I hate it when couples ask for money as I always want to buy a meaningful gift.
Fab idea! I hate it when couples ask for money as I always want to buy a meaningful gift.
Even when they do, I still go with a thoughtful gift. It’s more meaningful. 🙂
This is SUCH a great idea! I am totally reblogging this post next week!
You are too kind! Seriously though. Let’s just drink the bottles and skip the shower. 😉
Done and done!
Great idea – I will tell you the best way to ‘score’ some extra wine bottles is also get to KNOW the wine vendor at your supermarket and wine stores. I end up asking them tons and questions, for advice and I’ve gone so far (it’s the latin girl in me) asking for ‘extra discounts’ (or you know, if they have stuff that wasn’t as big a seller but still good) – they end up giving me a HUGE discount on some of those. Especially if you mention you create baskets for parties/events/etc. And my ‘exchange’ is I will either give them a gift certificate to restaurant or even bring baked goods to them. It’s amazing if you are just sometimes extra nice to people! 🙂 But be sincere – I can tell from your blog, you definitely have that winning personality & great smile.
Oh my gosh thank you so much!! What a great idea! I will have to put in some serious work at my local stores getting to know some vendors! Thank yoU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So cute! I’d love to make this for my sister. How do I download the tags? Every time I click the link it says access denied. 🙁
Hi Sarah! Thanks for visiting!! I think I’ve fixed the link. I recently moved my blog and some of the links were broken. I’m sorry about that! Have a wonderful day!!
Hi Shanna, Love this idea!!! thanks for sharing! by any chance can you add some blank cards, with the same background design? I would love to be able to add a few more!
My younger sister just got engaged last weekend and I really wanted to do a fun gift for her, pre-shower. She’s the overly organized type that practically already has everything picked out/planned. I think this would be the perfect gift to give her.
Unfortunately, the like to print the labels isn’t working. Is there any chance that you can email me the file?? I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much!
Of course! I’m not sure why it wasn’t working, I just checked to see if it was working now and it looks like it’s okay. I’m sorry! I’m going to try emailing you with the address you provided, let me know if you don’t get it or want it sent to another email. Thanks! 🙂
Loved this! It looked great in a wire laundry basket. Simple and elegant!
I love this! I’m going to make it for my brother in law and future sister in law engagement party gift!