I Need Some Suggestions on a Bridal Shower Gift

I like to do a basket or bag filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations. It's not something that most people get and that first Christmas is usually pretty bare. I shop for discounted decorations after Christmas every year and keep a stash just in case such an occasion arises. :-)
YMMV
LBC

A decent spice rack would be nice. Buying spices one at a time can really add up when you are shopping for ingredients for a new recipe. It can make trying out a "new" dish cost $10-15 more than just buying the actual ingredients (the veggies and meat). And I don't know ANY women who ever bought a spice rack on their own. It would be nice to be able to "test" new recipes without having to spend $$$ on a teaspoon of some spice not in the cabinet already.

Get a decent spice rack and a cookbook. If you are looking to spend more than that, you can always add an apron. Or skip the cookbook and just put an apron with the spices. (I didn't own an apron for years and ruined a LOT of clothes accidentally splashing things on them-- usually clorox cleanup, which leaves white spots!)

I just went to a bridal shower. One of the biggest hits was a colander filled with spaghetti, sauce, parmesan cheese, I think some oregano or something like that, a spaghetti server and measure for spaghetti. Really cool idea for a quick easy dinner with all the fixings for that first night back at home after the honeymoon.

Another fun idea was a laundry basket or hamper full of laundry stuff -- detergent, stain remover, laundry booster, and fabric softener. Maybe safer to go with unscented stuff in case either has allergies. I just did this one for about $25 with a coupon for Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and some free grocery coupon items that I had on hand. Someone had done this for us, and it really helped cut down the initial setup costs.

Have fun shopping and at the shower!

I've always been a firm believer of getting the couple what they want, so be sure to check out their registry! :)

This would only work if you were comfortable with making your bride blush. At the last bridal shower that I went to, the bride got a gift in 4 boxes stacked smallest to largest. She opened the biggest box first. In the box and the card attached says "10 year anniversary". Inside is a pajama set with shorts or pants. Something on the frumpy side. The second box also has a note: "5 year anniversary" and contains sexier pajamas. Maybe a nighty or a tank and panties. Something providing a lot less coverage than the last pair of PJ's. The third box is 1 year anniversary. The PJ's are smaller and even sexier than what she last opened; something tiny and sheer. The last box is the smallest and is for The Wedding Night. Inside is a thong, if even that (or something very sexy) and maybe a lotion or two. It was really fun to watch her open. Her gramma and aunts and mom all thought that it was funny, too.
Otherwise, as we all know a gift card is always appreciated. If she has a registry, anything off of that would be perfect! You know she'll for sure like it.

I like to give a nice photo frame or album to newly weds. After the wedding and honeymoon they will have plenty of pictures and need to frame them or want to put in albums and will most likely keep these things for years to come. Towels wear out, dishes chip and candles melt after a while,(not that they dont need these things also) but most people leave photos in the same frame or album for years. your gift could be the only one left after 10 years of marriage. Wish them the best and have fun at the shower. (o:

I usually put together a Honeymoon Survival Kit. My relationship to the bride usually dictates the direction the kit takes. If you are BFFs you could go racy. Sexy panties/lingerie, massage oil, travel candles, etc. If you know their destination, you could go with things geared for that. Sunscreen, guide book, his and hers beach towels, etc. I usually have a combo of both since I generally don't attend showers for those I don't know well. (usally throw in some wild boxers or something for the groom as well)

Once I've gathered the ingredients, I wrap each one individually in colorful tissue paper then put them all together in a nice basket that can be re-used. Everyone so far has enjoyed the combination of practical and comical.

If they don't have a registry, then go with a gift card to target or bed bath and beyond. If you want an actual gift, then the lady who suggested the laundry basket idea was great! Or you could do a wicker basket with things like candles, lighters, picture frames, etc. Have fun!!

Depends, does she have a registry? Most of the bridal showers that I have gone to in the past year all have registries online somewhere...I know MyRegistry.com is popular, but she probably would have sent out one of their eCards if she was registered there. Try to stick to something on her wish list....

I got all the typical gifts at my shower but the one that stands out the most & is the dearest to me is a cookbook my very good freind put together for me. She put in some of her fave recipes, some from her mom & sisters & got a few from my family as well as my future sister-in-law. She put cute pix in it of things we have done over the years together & added stickers & other decorative things to the recipes. She also put in this funny article from the 40's or 50's about how to be a good wife; have a cocktail & the paper ready for the husband, dinner on the table shortly thereafter, kids all bathed & clean....etc It was so funny!

Gift cards are always a hit. Are you close with the bride? If so, a night at a very nice hotel for the newly-weds would be appreciated as well.

Gift certificate to a spa or for a mani/pedi, champaigne flutes engraved with their names and the wedding date so they can use on their wedding day.

Does the couple have a registry? If not, perhaps a cute serving dish from some place like Pier 1.

I'm with Kelsies Mom. I always give frames. As I am a starving student and single mom so I go to Bed Bath and Beyond to find frames in their clearance section. I got a really cute one for the bride (she is a cutsie person) that was in the shape of a bride and in the face you could put a decent size picture. And then a more serious and nice one for their wall in the living room. I got both of those for $20 all together.

You could give kitchen appliances like kitchen knives, toaster, spoons, or whatever comes to mind, whatever you give them they will love it its the thought that counts, right?!!!! Good luck!!!

Is the bride registered somewhere? Buy her something off of her registry. You can't go wrong with that, and you'll know she really wants it since she picked it out herself!

I like to buy a pair of champagne (or wine) glasses and a bottle of nice champagne (or wine). Check their gift registry first in case they registered for glasses, if not its something that's always useful to have. It's a nice way to encourage and contribute to a romantic night before or after the wedding. And the glasses can be used throughout their marriage.

My daughters maid of honor gave her a cute red plastic basket with things for emergencies. There was a travel pillow, snack food, safety pins and other miscellaneous items.

How about a fancy basket for their hotel room on their wedding night? You can put in some gourmet crackers and cheese type snacks, wine glasses and a really nice wine or champagne. Tuck inside a twenty, in a pretty envelope, for room service breakfast. They'll love it.

Something else that is so useful and you never think about it until you wish you had them is a couple of good serving trays. You can have breakfast in bed, carry food to someone who is ill, carry snacks to the livingroom to watch a movie, have a cozy meal together on the couch, serve guests or pass things around at a party. I actually just took one camping with me and used it several times. I found really nice ones at Ikea and love them.

Buy a nice picture frame that will suit the couple's decor 8x10 size.
Cut a pice of bridal gift wrap and put it in the frame and then attach a gift card from a place the bride is registered with or somewhere like Macys, Bed Bath & Beyond or Victoria's Secret ( a hit with the groom!) so that it is centered in the frame. It's a simple gift with a nice presentation!
idea #2 put a gift certificate for the bride's favorite salon inside a nice make-up bag so she can get her bridal mani-pedi or make-up done for the big day.
idea #3
If there's a Things Remembered at your local mall - they can engrave a nice frame, album or other wedding themed items while you wait.