Bridal showers run the gamut from traditional feminine parties where the bride is showered with gifts to co-ed gatherings where men are welcome. When planning a shower, consider the bride's interests. Will she need linens and kitchen items to begin her married life, or would she really prefer gifts related to a hobby or favorite activity? In any case, this is the time to go all out on party décor. Find a theme the bride will love, and run with it!

Shower the Bride-to-be

At a traditional, feminine bridal shower, socializing and opening presents are usually the main activities. The bridesmaids, with help from the bride's mother or other close female relatives, take care of the invitations, décor, and refreshments. If you're in the wedding party don't worry -- pulling the celebration together is a snap with To-Do's Shower Celebration line. Its pastel color scheme and full-skirted ladies have a slightly retro look that many brides, and their mothers, will adore. Cute twinkler invitations will pique your guests' curiosity before the shower even begins. A honeycomb centerpiece and coordinating striped table cover, along with matching plates and napkins, will establish a light, carefree mood.

Chocolate, Anyone?

A less traditional, but delectable idea that your guests will love, is a chocolate-themed shower. If the bride is a chocoholic (and really, who isn't?), try showcasing various textures and flavors of this luxurious treat. Serve a sampling of high-quality chocolates meant to be tasted in order, from lightest to darkest. Or offer a range of desserts of delicate, medium, and dense consistencies, and be sure to play up the antioxidant factor so your guests can feel good about indulging. A fabulous grouping of partyware to help you carry this theme is called Chocolate Berries. Its richly colored design in shades of mocha and dark cocoa is especially suitable for fall and winter. For a spring or summer shower, the pink-and-brown Blush Stripes and Blush Dots patterns will complement both the season and the chocolates.

Love on the Vine

For the sophisticated bride and groom who appreciate fine wine, throw a shower centered around a wine tasting. Hire a representative from a local wine shop to conduct a proper tasting, with wines ranging from dry whites to sweet reds. Gifts might include bottles of wine from the year of the bride's birth, the groom's birth, or from locations that have special meaning to the couple. A case of wine bottled during the year of their marriage will be enjoyed by the couple for years to come. Bordeaux Bouquet party supplies will lend color and sophistication to your gathering with their generous clusters of ripe grapes on a subtly mottled background. For guaranteed laughs, offer each guest an Extremely Funny Cocktail Hour napkin emblazoned with a comical caricature and the slogan "Wine! A serving of fruit!"

Enjoy!

At To-Do's, everything you need to host an unforgettable bridal shower is at your fingertips. Our festive party supplies will help you create an extraordinary party in just minutes, leaving you the freedom to simply relax and enjoy this special time with the bride.

--Beth M. Custer