• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • 0Shopping Cart
Love & Lavender
  • Real Weddings
  • Gifts
    • Anniversary Gifts
    • Birthday Gifts
    • Holiday Gifts
    • Wedding Gifts
  • Wedding
    • Planning & Inspo
      • Start Here
      • Wedding Resources
      • Planning & Ideas
      • Giveaways & Contests
      • Stationery
      • Wedding Decor
      • Wedding Favors
    • Bridal Jewelry
      • Diamond Education
      • Diamond Guides
      • Rings
      • Bridal Jewelry
      • Sell Your Diamond Ring
    • Bridal Fashion
      • Wedding Dresses
      • Wedding Shoes
      • Bridal Beauty
      • Wedding Fashion
      • Bridesmaid Attire
      • Mother Of The Bride or The Groom
  • Travel
    • Guides
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Honeymoon
  • Menu Menu

Guide to Bridal Shower Ideas: Gifts, Food, & Games for All Seasons!

Last Updated: February 8th, 2023/6 Commentsby Meredith

We’ve noticed that some questions about bridal shower ideas seem to pop up more than others. The most common revolve around how to pair a shower with a themed wedding and/or planning seasonally-focused showers. 

So, the L&L team put their brain’showering’ caps on and, voila, here are the best ideas from our session to inspire you! You may not love everything we pick, but it’s all good! The point is to provide you with some solid inspo and ideas for throwing a bridal shower everyone will love- from food to favors and more. 

Table Of Contents
  1. Fall And Winter Bridal Shower Ideas
  2. Destination-Themed Bridal Shower Ideas
  3. Rustic Bridal Shower Fun

Fall And Winter Bridal Shower Ideas

When is the best time to throw a cold-weather bridal shower? If you’re having a spring or summertime wedding, you may want to get on top of it early. Whether it’s September, October, January, or February (we don’t recommend December), there are plenty of bridal shower ideas for those chilly months.

Keep reading for gift, food, favor, and game inspo!

Gift Ideas

1. Subscription To Crated With Love

by Crated With Love 

We had the good fortune to meet the folks behind Crated With Love, and what they’re doing is fantastic! Need a date night, but bad weather and a pandemic turfing your plans to hit the town? 

They’ve carefully selected games and activities in each themed crate to bring lovebirds closer together. So gift her with a cozy evening at home with her sweetheart! 

2. Spa Day Gift Card

by SpaFinder

spafinder gift cardPin

Everyone could use a spa day, especially a stressed bride-to-be. Hook her up with one!

3. Cold Weather Cookbook

by Amazon

The Ski House CookbookPin

This cookbook has all kinds of recipes to warm up her winter evenings, from Crock-Pot recipes to roasts and sautees. 

4. Cashmere Set

by Fishers Finery

100% Cashmere 3pc Hat Glove and Scarf SetPin

Luxurious (and warm!) cashmere is always a welcome gift. Give her the full cold-weather set including gloves, a hat and a scarf to stay toasty warm. Comes in navy, black, stone, and grey. 

5. Sweater Weather Candle

by sweetwaterdecor

Sweater Weather CandlePin

Bring the crispness of winter inside with this candle’s subtle campfire scent. Made from soy wax, it comes in a glass jar and provides up to 40 hours of burn time!

 

Hot Food Ideas to Warm Up

Hot Chocolate/Cider/Coffee/Tea Cocktail Bar

Boozy hot chocolate or coffee is one of the great joys of cold-weather months. Create a spread of warm beverages for your guests to enjoy with or without alcohol.

Color-Coordinated Pastries and Donuts

There are two color schemes you’ll usually find in a winter shower- winter whites, silvers, and blues or hunter’s plaid with reds and greens. 

Regardless of which you choose, put out a spread of sweet treats with colors to compliment your decor. 

Warm Nibbles

Warm finger foods like mini chicken pot pies or quiches are always a nice touch for a winter gathering, but any comfort food will do. We even saw a cool recipe for fancy Boursin pigs in a blanket that would be perfect. And if anyone wants to send samples, we’d be happy to test them out!

 

Cold Weather Bridal Shower Favor Ideas 

1. Snuggly Personalized Blankets

by Etsy: southernmysass

Personalized throw blanketPin

Select your color, personalized message, and message placement, then give these fleece sweater blankets to your guests for a great shower favor. 

2. Hand Warmer Favors

by Etsy: Flyingturkey

Hand WarmersPin

These are so useful and they’re reusable too! Pop them in the microwave for thirty seconds (give or take a few), and banish cold hands all winter long. 

3. Mini Marshmallow Toasting Kit

by MarvlingBrosLtd

mini marshmallow toasting kitPin

Cute, cute, cute!!! Stick it in your purse, because you never know when you’ll need a toasted marshmallow on the go. 

 

Bridal Shower Game Ideas

We’ve already written a cool article on shower party games. And why not, bridal shower games can be lots of fun when done right. Here are a few new game ideas for indoor fun:

Toilet Paper Fashion Designer

Split up into teams of three or four (or more if you’ve got the people). Choose one member in each group to be the model, then everyone else on the team designs a toilet-paper gown! When everyone’s happy with their creation, the model gets to work the catwalk, and the bride judges her favorite dress. 

For more hilarity, set a time limit on the dress designing stage, and see which team is best under the pressure of the clock! 

Mad Libs Vows

by SayIDoPrintables

wedding vow mad libs Pin

We’ve all played Mad Libs (or so we assume!), so we know how goofy they can get. Well, these ones are to the tune of traditional wedding vows! One of the guests asks for suggestions to fill in the blank nouns, adjectives, and verbs on the vows, then the bride reads them out. Get ready for some tears of laughter!

Celebrity Wives – “Who Am I?”

Have the guests write the names of celebrity wives on a piece of paper or an index card, put them in a box, mix them up, and then have each guest draw a name. Each guest will tape her chosen card to her forehead. Everyone else has to give her clues to her identity until she guesses her celebrity.

 

Destination-Themed Bridal Shower Ideas

From Hawaiian hibiscus to Tuscan lavender, your destination wedding bridal shower ideas can easily mirror where you’re headed. Here are a few cute gift ideas to start you out:

Gift Ideas

1. Travel Journal

by JoyfulCouple

travel journalPin

Both a planner and a memory book, this travel book will help the bride record all of the adventures yet to come with her new husband. It has template pages for pictures, keepsakes, mementos, and whatever else she’d like to keep to remember their trips together.

2. Travel Buddy Necklace

by WanderandLustJewelry

travel buddy airplane necklacePin

Wherever the road leads, let the bride know that she’s in your thoughts. This beautiful airplane pendant represents her love of travel and will draw plenty of compliments along the way. 

3. Herschel Trade Carry On Suitcase

by No products found.

No products found.

A great, sturdy carry-on bag is always a good gift for the traveler in your life! This one has plenty of storage and compartments to keep her stuff organized, as well as a removable battery with a charging port and charging cable.

4. Universal Travel Adapter 

by Dandelion

Travel Adapter OutletPin

She’ll be fully charged no matter where she ends up with this travel power adapter. Accommodates more than 150 countries and charges up to 3 devices at a time. It also features 2 USB ports and an 8-hole socket for use anywhere!

5. Slip Silk Beauty Sleep Travel Set

by Slip

Slip Silk Beauty Sleep Travel SetPin

This sleep travel set comes with a silk pillowcase, a sleep mask, and a poly-filled pillow. It’ll keep her hair tangle-free, her skin clear, and her eyes rested while she’s traversing the world (or the country). It’s all machine washable, too!

 

Food Ideas

You’ll probably be serving up some international cuisine inspired by the wedding destination. Aside from that, here are a few party staples that ought to do the trick:

Sangria Station

You can never go wrong with a lovely red and white Sangria station. Include a pitcher or two of cucumber water, too, if you have guests who don’t imbibe in adult libations.

Pickle, Cheeses, and Charcuterie

A nice spread of fancy cheeses and meats is always a hit. Include some pickles, olives, and  jardiniere, then add some fancy red pepper jellies, dates, nuts – whatever kinds of nibbles you think everyone would like.

Veggie/Hummus Cups 

Pre-cut vegetables in nice disposable cocktail cups filled with hummus will disappear fast.

 

Favor Ideas 

1. Wine Charms

by Etsy

beach themed wine charmsPin
by Winewifehappylife

 

Wine Glass Charm SetPin
by EarthlieTreasures

These cute wine charms are great for a destination-themed wedding. You can find pretty much any theme you’re looking for, from tropical paradise to a getaway in Paris. 

2. Personalizable Girls Trip Face Masks

by KraftzByKay

Personalizable GirlsPin

You can’t go anywhere without your mask these days, so you might as well do so in style. Select your pattern and give these to the girls to get ‘em prepped and ready for the trip!

3. Luggage Tags

by LetterandLeather

Luggage Tag bridal shower favorPin

These tags will make it easy to keep track of their luggage, but they’ll also get your guests inspired and ready for their travel adventure! The soft leather tags come in a ton of color and font options, so you can make sure everyone has their own, unique memento of the shower.

 

Bridal Shower Game Ideas

Telephone Wedding Toast

Make a toast to the bride, then pass it on in this fun game of telephone with a wedding-style twist. Go down the line with each guest whispering their interpretation to the next. When you get to the last guest be sure to record their response because the whole room will be dying with laughter!

Where Were We?

You may have to get a little help with this one from other friends and family for this game. Ask them to gather together a dozen or so pictures of the bride-and-groom to be in different locations together. Number the pictures, hang them up, and have the guests write down where they think each photo was taken. Whoever guesses the most wins. (Prizes optional, but appreciated!)

What’s In Your Cell Phone

This game can get hilariously personal, but it’s well worth the potential embarrassment. 

Create a list of things for the guests to find in their phones, like pictures with the bride-to-be, selfies, pics of shopping for the wedding, or whatever you think would be fun to find. Each guest will look through her phone for the things listed, and whoever has the most wins the game. And, again, prizes are always fun to give and to receive! 

 

Rustic Bridal Shower Fun

Luckily, rustic weddings are HUGE right now. There’s a lot of great stuff available o help make your rustic-themed bridal shower a hit!

Gift Ideas 

1. Custom Rustic Wedding Dress Hanger

by PassionandLove

custom wedding dress hangerPin

This hanger is such a special gift, she’ll treasure it always! Personalize it with her name, the finish you’d like, and the bow color. It’s just perfect. 

2. “Letters To The Bride” Bridal Box

by EngraveMyMemories

“Letters To The Bride” Bridal BoxPin

This is one of the neatest keepsakes to put on your gift or guest book table for some martial wisdom and advice. The rustic wooden box is sturdy and beautiful, and you can have it personalized with her name and the date of the wedding. 

3. Pre Ceremony Liquid Courage Whiskey Glass 

by BumblebeeStation

liquid courage whiskey glassPin

Pair this shot glass with a bottle of her favorite spirit, and she’ll thank you when she’s “backstage” getting ready for the wedding. It gets all kinds of real when you don that dress. She may just need a shot of liquid courage!

4. “If You Can Read This” Socks

by No products found.

No products found.

When a woman wants to relax, she wants to relax completely. These cute socks are perfect for any time she needs to kick back, relax, and have someone bring wine!

5. Custom Family Name Pallet Sign

by MyCustomGallery

Family Name Established SignPin

This sign will be perfect for hanging up in the new couple’s home when the dust settles, and they settle in as newlyweds. It’s so beautiful, and the grain of the wood makes each piece unique. Available in small, medium, and large sizes. 

 

Food Ideas

Lots of options here, but we went with a couple of country themes.

Sweet Tea And Lemonade Punch

Lemonade, sweet tea flavored vodka, ice, and a lemon wedge. So. Good. 

Build Your Own Biscuit Bar

Arrange some biscuits, salty country ham, pimento cheese spread, and an assortment of jellies and jams, and let your guests load ‘em up with whatever they want! Oh, and don’t forget the butter and honey.

Cheese Straws/Candied Bacon

Country charcuterie, y’all. You can add whatever you want to the nibbles table, of course. But come on. Candied bacon and cheese straws?? Yes, please. Deviled eggs are also an excellent addition to this spread.

Crudites

Because vegetables, people. Unfortunately, women cannot live on candied bacon alone. 

 

Favor Ideas 

1. Rustic Tealight Holder

by Etsy: aecreativedesignsCo

rustic tealight holderPin

Each of these cute wooden tealight holders wears a little bouquet of flowers and a tag personalized with your guest’s name. 

2. Honey Favor

by Cricketsarechirpin

honey wedding favor personalizedPin

Pretty little jars of 100% organic honey are always a hit! Your shower guests will love them.  More honey favor ideas here.

3. Rustic Leather Keepsake Box

by Etsy: NandorDesigns

Rustic Leather Keepsake BoxPin

Choose a color and have the names of your guests engraved onto these beautiful faux leather keepsake boxes. They’re a luxurious favor for a rustic wedding shower. 

 

Game Ideas

Cold Feet

Fill a large bowl or bucket with ice water, throw some toy rings in it, then torture your guests in the funniest way ever! Each guest has to pull as many rings out of the ice water as possible within two minutes. With their feet only, of course

Pin The Moustache On The Groom

Put an enlarged picture of the groom on a wall that you won’t mind potential holes in, then blindfold your guests and give each of them a big ol’ mustache. Spin her around, and get out of the way! The one who gets the mustache closest to where it’s supposed to be wins. 

Find The Guest

Present each guest with a checklist of features. Little personal details of interest like “volunteers at an animal shelter” or “collects stamps in her spare time,” stuff like that. Each guest works the room to find the others with any of the listed characteristics. It’s a great way to get everyone to mingle and introduce them to each other! 

Party Like You MEAN It!

Bridal showers are so much fun! It’s a great way to kick back, relax, and let the bride know she’s loved. A respite from the stress of planning a wedding goes a long way. Your bride will appreciate it immensely. Happy planning!

meredith headshot
Meredith

Despite her dreamy wedding blogger lifestyle, Meredith's day job is running ClassicVeils.com and a full-time mom to an active toddler. If she could, Meredith would spend her days taking cruises, helping animals in need, and watching Big Brother!

  • emily and meeko wedding
    January 26, 2010
    Emily and Meeko's Wedding: Part 1
  • 4
    January 28, 2010
    Splurge vs. Steal: Wedding Shoes
  • 5
    January 29, 2010
    Real Wedding: Bride and Groom Silhouette Details
  • 6
    February 1, 2010
    Nicole and Phil's Wedding
Tags: Roundups
Share this entry
  • Share on Pinterest

INFO

Write for Us
Get A Badge
Advertise With Us

Wedding Planning

Wedding Resources
Real Weddings
Free Wedding Printables
Vendors

ABOUT US

elena and daniel in France

Elena & Daniel: husband and wife team behind Love and Lavender. Read Our Story

© 2010 - 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclaimer
Scroll to top