So much time gets focused on how to plan a shower, it seems newbies (and sometimes veterans that haven’t done it in a while) are left asking “ok, but what do I do DURING the shower?”
How about starting with what NOT to do? Then we’ll talk about arranging the shower – a.k.a. the shower agenda – and show you what it looks like.
What NOT To Do
- Don’t have a shower where guests come in and get a bite to eat while watching the guest of honor open gifts – then leave. It’s just b-o-r-i-n-g – and uncomfortable if you don’t know the guest of honor or her friends very well.
- Don’t ask guests to play games while they’re trying to balance a plate of food.
- Don’t be un-flexible. Hey, if the guests start groaning after game #2 – don’t force game #3 and #4!
- Don’t plan to have fun (I’m speaking about you – not the guests). You can revel later, after the shower, when the guest of honor (and guests) gush about how wonderful, gracious, giving, and fabulous you are!
- Don’t skip gift opening. Leave that formality to the wedding, the shower is more informal and all about getting the bride prepared for her married life… it’s appropriate to share what gifts were given.
Sample Agendas
With all this in mind, here’s a few examples that follow the above rules. Don’t be afraid to change it up beyond these examples…the idea is to have fun, not do what everyone else does.
Easy
1. Games
2. Eat
3. Gift opening
Mostly know each other
1. Eat & socialize
2. 3-4 games
3. Cake
4. Gift opening
Don’t know each other very well (my favorite!)
1. Advice cards as they arrive and you wait for late-comers
2. Icebreaker game or two
3. Eat & socialize
4. 2-3 more games
5. Cake
6. Gift opening (and a game of Gift Bingo)
If you have a favorite agenda that works every time, feel free to share with us!