Spoiling your friend during one of the happiest times in her life is just as much fun for you as it is for her. When planning a bridal shower gift, the idea is to get the bride a luxury she couldn’t otherwise afford, or a heartfelt item that speaks to your friendship. Perfect bridal gifts have elements of both!
1. A modern home
Smart technology is finding its way in all new home appliances and electronics. Since there’s a good chance your bride will either get or purchase some of these accessories, why not provide her with a way to organize it all in one place?
Smart hubs like Wink and SmartThings can make managing your home simpler and less stressful. Your bride will be able to control all sorts of little details, from the lights in the kitchen to the washing machine in the basement, right from her phone and even when she’s not home.
2. Cake stand
Although they may seem like a boring or standard bridal shower gift, cake stands are perfect. Since they’re relatively expensive for their purpose, most people won’t buy them unless they have some extra cash. Chances are, your bride’s pockets won’t be overflowing anytime soon after the wedding, so this is a great way to spoil her.
Want to add a personal touch? Glass and ceramic cake stands can be hand-decorated with special permanent markers and other easy techniques. If you’re not artistic, simply scrawling her new initials in calligraphy somewhere small will do the trick.
3. Sexy lingerie
Every new bride deserves to feel sexy, and every newly married woman needs lingerie! You can go one of two ways here – get her some classy, ‘bridal’ lingerie that would be appropriate for her honeymoon, or get her lingerie that will be appropriate for after the wedding ceremonies.
We suggest getting her the sexiest lingerie you can find! Something that will last for years to come, and that every time she passes it in her closet she can remember what a good friend you are.
Believe it or not, a friend is the perfect person to gift lingerie because you probably know the bride’s body better than the groom! The most important thing is to get the right fit, something that feels comfortable and has a flattering fit. Who else but a friend would remember that the bride looks great in corsets, or that she really hates thongs?
4. Luggage
Luggage is one of those things that most people can’t afford to simply replace when it’s worn through. Now that she’s getting married, your bride may be traveling more than ever, especially when kids come along.
This is another chance for you to use your intimate knowledge of the bride to make a great decision. What’s her favorite color? Does she pack heavy or light? Should all the accents be faux leather because she’s an animal lover? Little details like this won’t be lost on your friend!
5. Gift an experience
What is the gift of an experience? It could be tickets to an upcoming play or concert, of course, but now is the time to think outside of the box. What about the chance to skydive together, or passes to an amusement park? Think about your couple and get them a truly personal experience.
The gift of an experience will be especially welcomed by couples who are burnt out by planning and organizing the wedding parties.
6. Robotic floor cleaners
The bride-to-be shouldn’t have to stress about keeping her new marital house clean. If your friend hates to clean or loves tech gadgets, robot cleaners are the perfect bridal gift solution.
Robot cleaners have become much more capable and efficient since their initial release. They are now better at tracking and detecting dirt, and advanced models like the Roomba 650 and the Dyson Eye Robot would bring a smile to any bride’s face.
7. A set of picture frames
Picture frames are one of those funny things that we usually accumulate over the years. This means that eventually, your walls could look mismatched and haphazard. Nip this in the bud for your bride-to-be by getting her a full set of picture frames for her new marital home.
Be sure to include multiple 8”x10” frames and a few larger ones for family portraits. Like with the cake stand, you can take the opportunity to add a personal touch with paint or markers depending on the type of frame.
8. A set of vases
Along the same lines as picture frames, when left to our own devices, we tend to pick up random, unmatched vases over the course of years. As such, it can be difficult to coordinate your plush indoor foliage. Spoil your bride with a lovely set of vases in different sizes and shapes so she’ll always match.
Unless you have some serious artistic skill, we don’t recommend trying to personalize vases. Their shapes and finishes make them difficult to maneuver. Instead, pick a color and style you know the bride will love.
Don’t Overthink It!
Don’t worry too much about making the right choice. You already know everything you need to pick the perfect bridal shower gift for you friend. Be sure to incorporate some of her favorite things in any gift you select, and don’t forget to include a thoughtful card.
