The Unselfish Way to Send Out Bridal Shower Invitations
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by: ginathompson
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Word Count: 621
I am sure bridal showers served a very noble purpose for a long time. I once read that the bridal shower was began in Holland. A young woman and a miller fell in love. The miller was always busy helping others, so never amassed any fortune. The father of the woman did not approve and expressed it by not offering a dowry. The couple was determined to marry anyway. The community that had been so touched by the charity of the miller stepped in to help the couple in the absence of the dowry. The couple was showered by gifts. The community did not need to receive bridal shower invitations to know to bring them a toaster; they were all just moved to help. Others say the United States was the birthplace of the shower. An American newspaper article from 1904 implies that the word "shower" originates from a Victorian era practice of putting gifts in a parasol. Regardless of where the custom began, the purpose was to compensate for an absent trousseau (hope chest) or dowry.
What began in the late 1800s, has continued to flourish into the 2000s. The current version of the bridal shower seems to be an American and Canadian custom. And here is where I believe the shower has taken a turn for the materialistic worse. If the purpose of the bridal shower is to compensate for the basic things a bride and groom need to start a home, then most couples today do not need much additional assistance. Yes, in some cases, the bride and groom are fresh out of high school or college and do not have basic things. But the majority of couples that are boosting the sales of Pottery Barn and Target registries are not in that situation. I cannot tell you how many bridal shower invitations I receive for friends who are double income couples in their early 30s. One friend even said, "This is an opportunity to get some new dishes and better stemware." The bridal shower, in its good hearted roots, would shiver to hear those words.
Please do not misunderstand, I fully support celebrating anything and everything. I think it is completely appropriate to get your friends and loved ones together to help you celebrate your bride or groom status. Your friends and family should not, however, feel obligated to buy you new stuff to help you celebrate, though. Usually, the same people who receive bridal shower invitations are the same people who will receive wedding invitations. People want to help the couple celebrate and toast to their future. Friends and family should not foot the bill for the newlyweds to outfit their new master suite.
Couples should keep some perspective when planning these things. Couples who are genuinely starting out can fill up their registry with a clean conscience and have a traditional baby shower. For couples who are well established and have everything they need, they should not be greedy and want new replacements for those things courtesy of their guests. I am not being a scrooge; remember that those same guests will be buying the couple a wedding gift. Those latter couples should, instead, get creative. Send out some bridal shower invitations that invite friends and family to stock your bar (everyone brings a bottle of wine or accessories), or to a garden party where everyone brings their favorite annual or perennial. The idea of bridal shower invitations inviting your loved ones to have fun and party in your honor in a new and different way will be your gift to them.
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