If you’re anything like me, you love giving bridal shower gifts because, hello, it’s a (mostly) guilt-free excuse to go shopping for your best and beloved people. It’s especially fun when you damn conventions to all hell and start getting really creative with what kind of bridal shower gift a person about to get hitched and pledge their commitment to their person/lobster/constant for the rest of their lives could ever want/use/need.
Let’s be honest: According to the smart people at Vox, givers are selfish. What gifters actually yearn for is that 😱😍 reaction they (hope to) get from giftees, and you know what? No apologies here. Bridal shower gifts should never be obligations. (I can repeat that if you didn’t hear: Gifts. Are. Not. Obligatory.) So, if you are indeed opting to get involved in the (potentially super fun, I promise!) bridal shower gift-giving custom, I’d hope you’re getting some enjoyment out of it, whether it’s from the feeling of contributing to your beloved friend’s dream honeymoon registry, finding a wedding night lingerie set that hits their style on the nose, or not having to worry about them slicing their hand open with those awful, awful, dull, cheap kitchen knives they haven’t gotten around to replacing.
For me, a rollicking fun bridal shower gift-giving time means hunting for items that are hopefully useful, easy on the senses, isn’t something they would necessarily think to buy (not that I don’t love a Whole Foods gift card when creative gift-giving block gets me down!), and has a special or unique twist. Bonus points if it’s a conduit to an experience (honeymoon trips! Setting up a new house with their partner! Cooking for their family! A future cocktail party! Having mindful, spiritual moments! That whole wedding thing!) or personalized (oh, say an address stamp for their new digs, a course on how to understand the goddess in their star chart, whiskey blended by you, or stationery sporting a custom illustrated portrait). Think of it as a challenge, a puzzle, or an indulgence to your egotistic “I give the best, most unusual, super-coolest gifts” side.
So yes, I’m a selfish gift-giver, but love me and you may just receive an illustrated Ruth Bader Ginsburg doll for your bridal shower gift. Or, you know, worst-case scenario, a Whole Foods Gift card.
Boozy bridal shower gifts
Agate Coasters via Amazon ($27.98)
W&P Design Moscow Mule Cocktail Syrup via Bloomingdale’s ($12)
The Gin + Tonic Carry-On Cocktail Kit via ManReady Mercantile ($24)
Bar-Backback via Picnic Time ($222.95)
Mateus Rose Wine from Portugal via Wine To Ship ($14.99)
Pineapple Ice Bucket via Bonjour Fete ($40)
Copper Rose Cocktail Glasses via Not on the High Street ($57.88)
Hochstadter’s Slow and Low Rock and Rye (made with rock candy!) via Wine Chateau ($26.97)
Pimp Your Fizz Kit for Prosecco via Etsy ($34.05)
Koloa Rym Bottled Cocktails via Shop Wine Direct ($14.99)
Custom Whiskey Blend via Whiskey Blender (around $100)
Lingerie Bridal Shower gifts
Twig Garter via Melinda Rose ($85)
Kopari Organic Coconut Melt and Massage Oil via Revolve ($38)
Blooming Embroidery Garter via Intimissimi ($44)
Constellation Robe via Sunday Forever ($225)
Eveline Robe via BHLDN ($120)
Bare Plunge Bra via True & Co. ($64)
Love Stories Chic Bodysuit via Gooseberry Intimates ($89)
Honeymooner Short Set via Solstice Intimates ($185)
Noemi Illusion Bra via For Love and Lemons ($131)
Ballerina Gioia Bustier Bandeau Bra via Intimissimi ($65)
kitchenware Bridal Shower gifts
Recycled Glass Moroccan Glasses via Chabi Chic ($20.87 each)
Pearl Blown Glass Stand and Dome via Amara ($108)
Stoneware Colander via Sunday Supply Co. ($26)
Ripple Long Glasses via Ferm Living ($66.29)
Leaf-Shaped Placemat via Zara Home ($66.29)
Matte Black French Press via CB2 ($29.95)
Japanese Chef Knives with Chestnut Handles via Best Made Company ($98–$458)
Nordic Ware Sweetheart Waffle Iron via Food52 ($53)
HAY Tea Towels via MOMA Design Store ($25)
Shallow Ocean Bowls via Helen Levi ($68 each)
Faux Marble Mixing Bowl Set via CB2 ($39.95)
Golden Aluminum Trivet via Zara Home ($35.90)
Tray with Mint Handle via Let Liv ($49)
Le Creuset Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven via Williams-Sonoma ($215)
This and that Bridal Shower gifts
Flowers Art Print via Paper Plane Store ($62)
Sonnet Napkins by Sir/Madam via Burke Decor ($48)
Marbled Leather Envelope Wallet via Lillian Farag ($60)
Mimosa Platform Smoking Slippers via Soludos ($75)
Golden Thread Tarot Deck via Labyrinthos ($45)
Goddess In Your Chart Online Horoscope Course via Chani Nicholas ($48)
Lovers Rollerball Perfume via HI Wildflower Botanica ($59)
Custom Portrait Address Stamp via Idlewild Co. ($55)
Love and Honor Ritual Kit via J. Southern Studio ($35)
Rainbow Unicorn Float via Ban.do ($99)
Floral Luggage Tag and Passport Holder Set via Anthropologie ($22–$30)
Ruth Bader Ginsberg Doll via Etsy Decor ($30)
Now lay it on us. What’s your favorite wedding shower gift to give? What’s the best wedding shower gift you’ve ever gotten? And what should never (ever) be given as a shower gift?
