How to Plan a Kitchen Bridal Shower

Planning the bridal shower generally falls to the family of the bride or the bridesmaids. However, anyone can help to plan a kitchen bridal shower!Generally speaking, a wide range of age groups can be represented at the party, making a large group of activities necessary to appeal to the wide-range of the guests.

Things You'll Need

• Bridal registry
• Kitchen gadgets
• Spice rack full of spices
• Fun or funky place settings

Instructions

1. Coordinate with the bride. Make sure that her bridal registry contains several potential gifts in a variety of price ranges that coordinate with a kitchen theme. Also, be sure to confirm the theme of the party with the bride. Some women are less appreciative of gifts for the home, especially practical ones, so be sure that the bride agrees with the theme.

2. Find or make kitchen related invitations. An invitation shaped like an old-fashioned toaster or kitchen mixer gets the theme across very clearly. However, it is also a good idea to state the theme of the shower specifically in the invitation. Co-workers or distant relatives may need suggestions for appropriate gifts, so be prepared to offer registry information or a "wish list.."

3. Send a 3-inch by 5-inch recipe card in each invitation. Ask guests to do the same by passing on to the bride recipes for favorite dishes. Buy a small card file to give to the bride at the party, full of the provided recipes.

4. Collect kitchen utensils and hand them to guests at the door along with a sheet of nice notebook paper and a pen. Have the guest write the bride a list of suggested uses for the item, other than its intended use. Collect them and present them to the bride as her own special "recipe" book. For example, one might suggest using a whip to stir up a bubble bath or a rolling pin for a sensuous massage. Encourage the guests to be creative.

5. Play kitchen-related games. Put several spice samples in individual containers and have the guests attempt to identify the spices. Give the winner an exotic spice, spiced oils or a spice rack as a prize for winning the game.

Tips & Warnings

• Creating a theme for a bridal shower is especially useful if the bride will be having several showers or if the guests are not close personal friends of the bride. This helps steer guests in the direction of the gifts that will please the bride and that can be purchased relatively inexpensively.