1. Instead of the tradition of using a paper plate to make a hat of bows for the bride to wear once all the gifts are opened, why not use an old wedding veil and attach the bows and ribbon to it.
   
   
2. Include color swatches in shower invitations so guests know the colors the bride has chosen for her bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, etc.
   
   
3. Don't let guests leave empty handed. Make up extra of the food that you are serving for each guest to take home.
   
   
4. You can do different things at the shower in lieu of typical shower games. In the invitation tell your guests to bring the most embarrassing photo they have of the bride or have guests tell a funny story about the bride or offer her their best piece of marital advice.
   
   
5. You have a guest book at the wedding, why not one at a shower? Simply pass it around as the bride is opening up her gifts for guests to write their best wishes in. Beside the person's name you can also note their gift making it easier for writing thank you notes.
   
   
6. In addition to a special seat for the bride, designate special seats for the bride's mother and the groom's mother.
   
   
7. Design a buffet table for your guests that comprises all of the bride's favorite foods.
   
   
8. Ask each shower guest to buy one kitchen utensil in addition to their gift - spatula, flour sifter, measuring spoons, turkey baster, garlic press, cheese grater, etc.
   
   
9. Make your food display festive to the occasion. Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches into hearts or put the food in heart-shaped dishes and platters.
   
   
10. Serve less traditional shower food -chocolate dipped strawberries, caviar, oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon, and so forth.
    
    
11. Personally introduce each guest and even hand out name tags that say how they know the bride, such as "friend", "Maid of Honor", "sister-in-law", etc.

Copyright © 2000 Gail Oliver and Gisele Sullivan. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, printing or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the authors.