Bridal showers are special parties held to shower a new bride with gifts prior to her wedding. The custom of holding bridal showers is believed to have originated in the United States. The shower hostess is usually one the bridesmaids. She invites guests to the party for the new bride and the guests give the bride gifts which will be useful in her new home.

It can frequently be hard, though, to choose appropriate bridal shower gifts. A bride-to-be traditionally gets kitchen implements on such an occasion; and although there are some younger women who might be pleased to discover those items under the fancy wrapping papers, many others who have long had their own homes won't really need them. In this situation, you might want to consider a best selling recipe book, a high level kitchen gadget, or a gift certificate for a series of exotic cooking classes.

Lingerie is another popular bridal shower gifts. These presents aren't recommended for very shy or modest brides. If you plan to purchase lingerie as a bridal shower gift, make sure you know the bride's size and personal taste. If not, you can consider giving a gift certificate to a store such as Victoria's Secret and allowing her to pick out her own undergarments.

There are several types of bridal shower gifts that can both commemorate the occasion and provide decorations for the home. A Handmaid quilt, crystal vase or engraved photo frame are some examples. Also, if you can locate prior photos of the couple, a handmade scrapbook makes a thoughtful bridal shower gift.

Some of the bridal shower gifts that are given are in the form of a gift certificate for manicure, pedicure, a day at the local spa or a massage. These gifts will assist the bride-to-be to relax herself and to get ready for her wedding day. Some of the other gifts that might be useful to her are bubble bath, perfume and good chocolates.

If the bride and groom share a special interest like camping or traveling, consider getting a gift that reflects this passion. Presents like a tent or a new set of luggage will be appreciated by both spouses long after the wedding has passed. This type of bridal shower gift is also a superb choice if you are attending a co-ed bridal shower.

There are many expenses associated with a wedding and wedding shower invitation is one of them. It can be a simple request to invite people to the wedding shower and they really do not have to contain elaborate design or extravagant embellishments. Discount wedding shower invitations can be purchased when bought in bulk or as part of overall wedding stationery.

Don't forget to have a wedding guest book. The book will be very helpful to the bride and groom when they write thank-you notes and set up their joint address book. Place it somewhere of prominence to insure that everyone signs it. Sometimes a member of the wedding party or another special friend will monitor the book and encourage incoming guests to sign it.

It's often difficult to select bridal shower gifts. Cooking utensils and lingerie are popular but may not always be appropriate. Gifts to help the bride relax as the big day approaches, like spa gift certificates, can be a great alternative. Consider gifts that reflect shared interests of the bride and groom. A personalized gift like a photo frame or scrapbook may be a nice gift to remind the couple of their special day. Weddings are expensive affairs, but you don't have to spend a lot on wedding shower invitations. Don't forget to have a wedding guest book to help the bride and groom write their thank-you notes.