Thursday's Unique Picks - Hit The Showers

It is time to hit the showers gals.

Nope, it is not because I just got back from an especially grungy garage sale.

I am talking about April Showers, the ones that lead up to Spring and Summer weddings.

Here Comes The Bride handmade vintage paper garland from The Unique Bird on etsy.

Before the Bride and Groom say their “I Dos”…there are the showers.

I do think these are fantastic! "I Do" silver shoe rhinestones from Mon Amour Boutique on etsy.

The Bridal shower traditionally is a gathering of females that attend a soirée to bear gifts upon the bride in the anticipation of her upcoming nuptials.

You may be surprised to know that the bridal shower tradition isn’t really a new concept; the custom of having a bridal shower actually dates back to the 1890’s  (according to my extensive research on Wikipedia).

Do you want to know why it is called a “bridal shower”? Good, I’ll tell you.

According to Get Married Ohio website, “at a party, the Bride's friends placed small gifts inside a parasol and opened it over the Bride's head. When she opened the parasol, she was "showered" with presents! “ .

Yes it sound loopy, but I thought it was a fun little story and am sure it is completely accurate as most traditions and superstitions are.

Happy Shower vintage gift wrapping paper from Holiday Kitschklatsch's etsy shop.

Since I attended my cousin’s bridal shower last weekend, I have been in a wedding kind of mood and thought I would share some ideas for wedding shower gifts from etsy sellers that may differ a smidgen from the traditional Club Wed registry list. 

Sure there is something to be said for buying gifts off the registry list because these are things that the Bride and Groom actually want, but if you know me, I don’t tend to do things by the book or by the list, if you will. I like to try and give gifts that have a personal touch…Often I will pick one item from the gift registry and add on a little something special that is “off registry”.

If you are buying the bride something for the kitchen off her registry might I suggest adding...

Sweet handmade heart spice spoons from Beehive Kitchenware Co. on etsy. 

Every new bride should have a special apron. This vintage apron one from Blue Gremlin's etsy shop is too funny. It is important to note the Bride's sense of humor before giving her an apron though. If you misjudge her tolerance for humor you my find yourself uninvited to the wedding.

What is the Bride's china pattern? Find a beautiful vintage or handmade vase or candle holder to compliment the Bride and Groom's desired dish ware.

For example, if a Bride that registered for a new set of Fiesta Ware dishes, this vintage Fiesta Ware Candle holder from The Corner Store BK on etsy would be a unique gift!

If you are buying her bed linens, try adding a handmade vintage touch...

Vintage hand embroidered "Mr. and Mrs." pillow cases from classicstyleshop on etsy.

If you want to go completely off registry though...

A beautiful pair of champagne glasses for the Bride and Groom to use at their wedding reception.

Pair of vintage etched champagne goblets from my etsy shop, The Unique Bird.

A special place for their honeymoon memories...all you have to do is find out where they are headed after their big day.

I highly recommend these handmade leather photo albums from leathermaps on etsy. This shop offers a wide variety of destinations on their photo albums and offer great vintage inspired postcard graphics.

A custom creation for their home...

This Beautiful custom hand embroidery from Lilac Saloon on etsy, will feature the names of the Bride and Groom.

But this may be one of the most important gifts that you could give a new bride (with a sense of humor), an instruction manual.

1951 booklet "Your Marriage, Guideposts to Mental Health" found in TheIDConnection's etsy shop. Hahahaha.

I hope you have found some great ideas here for adding a special touch to those wedding shower gifts. 

Who knows, if you impress the Bride enough, you may be able to score yourself a spot at one of the "non boring" tables at the wedding reception.

Thursday's Unique Picks - April Showers

It is a fact that I am in the middle of wedding mania right now.
Not my own, but my little sis's wedding.
So you will have to bear with me when I start to talk about nuptial notions.

Chances are that you may also know someone getting married in the next few months.
So you know what that means...bridal showers!


Sure most brides -to -be have gift registries and I know from experience that the items on those registries are useful pieces to help the newlyweds upgrade the items in the cabinets from the plastic cups collected from various sporting events to real glass drink wear!

As my mom told me, "ask for nice stuff that you like, because chances are you won't be given gifts like this ever again...".
She is so right! For some reason people don't tend to buy you new flatware for your birthday.

The KitchenAid stand mixer is a staple item I see when searching most couple's registries.
Yawn.
It's not that I don't understand the need for the happy couple to have counter top appliances like this, I just like to get a little more creative when giving a shower gift when I can.

For today's Unique Picks I have put together some great finds, perfect for bridal shower gifts that are definitely not standard issue.


A really great gift for the Newlyweds...Restaurant gift cards.
Who wants to get all of that lovely new cookware dirty? Plus it is always fun to have a date night even after you are married.
Here is the part that makes this gift stand out. Use a vintage apron with a pocket as a unique way to present the gift.

Nice! It is a gift within a gift.
Simply fold the apron so that only the pocket is showing on top, wrap the apron strings around the folded apron so you can tie a bow, stick the gift cards in the pocket and the gift is pretty and ready to go!
I also think it is pretty funny to give the bride an apron... and restaurant gift cards.
Is that considered ironic?

There are loads of lovely vintage aprons available for purchase on etsy but this one happens to be one of my favorites. It is from Pendragonfarm 's shop.



Does the bride have a sense of humor? This 1962 book will give her "Pointers on practically everything" including spot removal, sewing and dusting. This kitschy pick is available for purchase at The Unique Bird.
I am going to reiterate, this book should be given to a bride with a good sense of humor. You wouldn't want to cause a meltdown at the bridal shower.



I heart this set of heart shaped nesting bowls from Christine Teneholtz at Red Hot Pottery. They are as useful as they are lovely. I bet potato chips taste even better when served with love out of these heart shaped bowls. I am willing to bet this unique gift isn't something you are going to find at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Most brides and grooms have a specific china pattern on their registry but I think that this would be a gorgeous set to give as a shower gift. This listing from etsy seller Midwest Finds, is a vintage place setting for four, of turquoise Fire King glass plates and cups. It would be perfect to use for after -dinner coffee and desserts!

P.S. This set has a simple, sophisticated and elegant asthetic. Even the color might be perfect for the bride and groom using a Tiffany blue color scheme.

(I have been told that is a pretty hot color for weddings right now.)

Wow! This Fire King set even comes with a beautifully decorated gift box!

No wrapping required, I love it even more!

Dish towels are a must have item. Most couples will be practical and register for some basic solid colored dish towels to sop up the everyday spills on the kitchen counter. Why not give them a few of the basics from the registry and add a few unique towels like these from sweetnature designs. I think the message on this towel is really sweet.

These hand screened kitchen towels from sweetnature designs add a personal touch to a usually basic kitchen need.

What about a beautiful hand made photo album/ scrap book? There are loads of photos from the wedding and what better way to display your special photos than in an equally special book.

This photo album is from etsy seller Campbell Raw Press.

Just for fun! Give a personalized luggage tag to the bride-to-be.

This would be a unique way to enhance a piece of luggage that you may have bought off of the wedding registry.

Seriously too cute! You can find this tag in C'est Superbe's shop on etsy.

Fancy that, pretty and practical from Pink Dawn Designs's shop.

It is a really great idea to keep a little dish by the sink to hold your wedding bands while you do dishes.

I also love this little vintage ring dish from etsy seller Riff Raff Review.
I think these beautiful ring dishes are a fantastic shower gift. I know that I never registered for anything like that...but I was given one for my bridal shower and I use it everyday!

I misplace a lot of stuff, so it helps me to keep track of my little band of gold.

Pick up a gorgeous pair of hand engraved champagne flutes. These can be purchased from Daydreem Designs.

The bride and groom can use these dreamy glasses for the champagne toast at their wedding reception.

This gift may seem like a one time use item, but you may be surprised.

Even though the ones I used at my reception were not nearly as cool as these are, the hubby and I still bust ours out to use, not on our anniversary, but every New Year's Eve. I guess I am just a sentimental fool.

Weather buying the gift straight from the registry or not, you can still add a personal touch to your purchase by using great vintage wedding wrapping paper! This patterned paper can be found in Pumkin Truck's etsy shop.

I hope that this week's unique picks helps you to think outside of the registry to find unique gifts for April (or any other month) wedding showers.