Are you a bride who’s not looking forward to everyone ooohing and aaahing as you open your fourth waffle iron? Are you a Maid (or Matron) of Honor who doesn’t think they can stand playing one more round of that cross-your-legs-and-I-get-your-pin game? Are you a mother or sister who is worried about the icy glares being shot back and forth between feuding family members while they sip their punch? Then these fun bridal shower alternatives may be just what you need!

The Pantry Party- Sure they may have all the pots, pans, spoontulas and butter slicers they could ever desire but they won’t get much use if there’s no food to put in them. Stocking a fridge, freezer, and pantry with the first load of groceries is expensive and this unique take on the bridal shower will help the bride and groom save a few extra dollars as they set out on their life together. I had the opportunity of throwing one of these a couple years ago as a lunch shower. We opted for a fun and slightly different menu by serving a selection of soups, breads, and desserts; it was a low stress choice that just seemed to fit. We had a lot of fun to seeing what creative foods and packaging people brought to share with the new couple! Some of my favorite gifts: a giant soup pot filled with pastas, sauces, and soup mixes or a large baking sheet stacked with cake, cookie, and brownie mixes and tied with a colorful ribbon on top!

The Video Questionnaire- This is a great way for extended family or friends who have not yet met the groom to catch their first glimpse and get an idea of his personality. We did this at one of my showers and I have to admit it was a blast! Grab a camcorder and a list of questions that the bride has not seen (this will be a surprise for her too) and tape her future husband as he answers them. At the shower, gather everyone around the television and read a question aloud. Have the bride see if she can give the same answer as the groom then play the tape with his response and see if she was right! This can also be played as a group game where everyone writes down their guess at his answer and whoever gets the most right wins a prize! Be creative in coming up with a few unusual questions and you may keep the bride guessing! A fun example: ask both the bride and groom to give their own take on their first date.

The Couples Party- This is a fun way for the bride and groom to get some shared glory and enjoy the company of their friends together. During women only gatherings the hubby-to-be misses out on the initial surprise of opening presents but with this type of shower the happy couple gets to have fun watching each other’s reactions. I must say that seeing what some of the men bring is very entertaining. A few of the most amusing offerings I’ve seen include painting supplies, video games, and a car wash kit. For a sure hit gift, give the couple something related to a hobby they enjoy together. Possibilities include camping equipment, movie night basket, or sports gear. Throw into the mix some good food and a few guys-against-girls games and you’ve got yourself one heck of a party!

The Themed Shower- When my best friend Lori got married she was thrown a number of different showers and one of my favorites was a color themed party. Everyone in attendance was asked to wear pink; not the soothing, pretty, feminine shade but the obnoxious, neon, can be seen from a mile away in a snow storm in the dark kind of pink. People really got into it and had a blast going to thrift stores and garage sales in their attempts to outdo each other in the ugly outfit department. When I showed up at said shower I was shocked to find that the theme had spread from clothes and accessories to makeup, nails, and even hair! It made me think immediately of a flock of demented flamingos. But wait, there’s more! The food and drinks were pink, the prizes and decorations were pink, the gift bags and favors were—you guessed it—pink! At the end of the night there were awards given for those who had most creatively (or obnoxiously) followed the theme of the party. It was a lot of fun and something I would love to attend or host again. Of course your shower doesn’t have to be about the color pink, it can be themed around anything that the bride loves or thinks is fun. Maybe a party based on a favorite book or movie or perhaps a pajama theme. The possibilities are endless with a good sense of humor and a little imagination!

Of course any shower you throw for your blushing bride is bound to be enjoyed and appreciated. She can’t help but feel loved as she sees the time and effort of her family and friends as they come together to help her celebrate and prepare for the wonderful journey she’s about to embark on! Now get out there and start planning!

- Kelsey Gonzalez