A 2016 study found that the average wedding guest will attend 2 weddings each year, spending a total of $1,000 per wedding on travel, attire, and gifts.
For most guests, this includes two gifts: one for the wedding and one for the bridal shower.
While the wedding gift is often money, gift cards, or perhaps a gift off the couple’s registry, gifts for the bridal shower are a chance to get a bit more creative.
A bride will certainly appreciate something she and her groom asked for specifically. But she’ll also love a unique, thoughtful gift.
If you’re looking for bridal shower gifts that will wow any bride-to-be, keep reading for 10 perfect ideas.
1. Cookbook or Recipe Boxes
If you’re looking for a gift that the couple will enjoy for years to come, you can’t go wrong with a cookbook or recipe box.
Besides being a cute accent for their new kitchen, these items will also inspire years worth of date nights in and new family recipes.
A specific cookbook geared towards newlyweds or a cookbook that features their favorite type of cuisine, like pasta, is a good choice. Another option is to gift her a pretty recipe box and throw in a few recipe cards with your favorite recipes to help them start their collection.
2. Passport Covers
If you already know you’ll be giving the bride money or gift cards for her shower, you might consider small accent wedding shower gifts to go along with those.
Passport covers are a fun choice. They’re inexpensive and come in a wide range of options. Get matching Mr. and Mrs covers, destination themed ones, or even customized covers with the bride’s new last name.
3. Decorative Maps
If the bride and groom met in a specific city or attended college together, why not commemorate that with a decorative map for their new home?
There are tons of options for buying or creating custom, decorative maps online.
Add a cute frame and you’ve got a gift the couple will treasure and love hanging in their new home!
4. Beauty Products
Most brides start upping their beauty regimen soon after that new ring lands on their finger.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t help them primp for the big day!
Help your bride-to-be pamper herself and relax during the stress of wedding planning, engagement shoots, and vendor meetings with some beauty products.
Skincare products like moisturizers and masks are always a popular choice. Or, get creative with unique products like Champagne spray or moisture boosters for her hair. These products will help ensure her locks are shiny, healthy, and ready for whatever fancy hairdo she has planned.
5. A Cute Purse or Tote
Most of the top honeymoon destinations in the world are beaches. If you know the bride-to-be will be relaxing in the sun after the wedding, there are tons of gifts you choose that she’ll love using on the trip.
One idea is a cute purse or beach tote. Go for a fun, tropical look, or a customized bag that says “Mrs,” “honeymoon,” or “just married” to ensure she’ll get plenty of attention when she carries it.
6. Organizational Materials
Moving into a new home and combining belongings with a spouse is tough.
Help make the move go more smoothly with some cute organizational materials.
Glass canisters for kitchen or bathroom counters, decorative baskets and boxes for closets, and cute shelves are all great choices.
7. Wine Rack
If you know the bride loves some vino, help her display any bottles she collects as wedding gifts or while on the honeymoon with a cute wine rack.
If you aren’t sure what the decor of her new home is like, go for something simple and not too big. The last thing you want to do is choose one that she won’t want to put out or that she won’t have any room for.
For bonus points, add a bottle of nice wine to the rack. The couple will appreciate having something to celebrate with!
8. Custom Wedding Day Essentials
Nothing gets a bride excited about the big day quite like her bridal shower.
Feed that excitement with custom gifts. Good options include a personalized hanger for her wedding dress, a dressing robe with her name on the back, or a “bride-to-be” tote for carrying around her wedding planning material.
9. A Wedding Survival Kit
If you’ve ever been to a bridal shower where the bride opened three of the same casserole dishes, you know that the best bridal shower gifts are those that are unique.
When you assemble your own survival kit, you ensure that your gift will stand out and be different from the gifts other guests are bringing.
A wedding day survival kit should include small items that the bride might not think about having on hand, but that could be vital on the big day.
Clear nail polish for manicure mishaps. Hairspray for flyaways. Blister block for making sure she can walk down the aisle in those pretty new heels.
Put all of these items in a cute cosmetic case or basket that’ll be easy to bring to the wedding venue.
10. Cozy Home Accents
Cozy home accents are perfect for helping the couple settle into their new home.
Help them snuggle up post-wedding with soft knit blankets and plush, colorful throw pillows.
Picture frames and simple wall shelves are other great options. They’ll be perfect for displaying engagement pictures and soon, wedding pictures!
Choosing the Best Bridal Shower Gifts for Every Bride-To-Be
Any of the bridal shower gifts on this list are great alternatives to boring dishes or towels. Not only will they be a hit with the bride, but they’re also fun to give and will show that you care about giving a personalized gift.
Now that you’ve got your bridal shower gift, it’s time to start thinking about other wedding-related events.
After the shower but before the big day, you’ve got one more event to think about: the bachelorette party.
If you know you’ve got an invite to a fun night out to celebrate with the bride, check out this list of bachelorette party gifts next.