from the "where do i get to register"? department

[lauralh]

The bridal shower in today's society is completely obsolete. Oh, sure, there's still a few people who go straight from mom's house to the dorm to a married-house, but that's a pretty low percentage. Here's some ideas for non-tacky* gift-giving/receiving parties:

the "i survived the dot-com era but I had to sell my condo" shower

This is an anti-shower, where you sell all the gadgets you own while feeding people tea and crumpets. Trade your Espresso Machine for a Mr. Coffee!

the "we're no longer paying separate rents" shower

Similarly, you get rid of the stuff you now have two of.

the "i'm not marrying that jerkoff" shower

Now that he's taken his shit back, you're missing a lot of essential household appliances. But you can finally get some of the stuff he'd never spring for, like a cast-iron pan or a blender not primarily used for margaritas.

Any other ideas?

eta:
The "I'm moving out of my parents' place" shower

apt for gen-x and beyond, this is mainly the parents chipping in for a bunch of furniture (either used or new) and buddies finally celebrating the Pad.

The "I'm graduating college with a crappy job so you're getting me stuff anyway"

Combine the graduation party with a gift registry to lessen confusion and avoid the tackiness of cash.

Comments

[llarian.livejournal.com]

blender not primarily used for margaritas

What else do you use a blender for?

[verybadlady.livejournal.com]

I use a blender to keep my goldfish in.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

Daiquiris and mudslides

[llarian.livejournal.com]

Oh, ok. That's acceptable.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I think if I have a shower I will just invite people over to drink and eat and call it good. If they want to give me a present they can bring me some chocolate or some wine.

[kickadee.livejournal.com]

Yeah I think divorcing people need showers more than marrying people. They're the ones who are more likely to need a toaster and need cheering up. When I was lonely and bitter I always resented not only having to see gushy displays but shell out money for them too!

I predict that obsolete as it is, as long as people can remember having to shell out for other people's wedding showers, they're going to want their own to recoop the losses. I admit I would probably have the human nature to be part of the problem instead of the solution too! ;) Free stuff is hard to turn down.

[jette.livejournal.com]

hhaha, it's all tacky... but funny.

I thought bridal showers were about getting lingerie?

Wedding presents seem to be about how you're established now so you can have Thanksgiving at your house now and therefore you need matching China, but lots of people think they're cash-value gifts in exchange for getting to go to the wedding.

I like the selling things at your shower party. That's funny.

[jette.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was my most banal comment ever, and that's saying something. I think it's cause I'm a housewife now.

[vileinfestation.livejournal.com]

Suicide shower