Suggestions for a Bridal Shower Gift?

I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but when my sister-in-law got married, we put together a huge box of stuff we all hate to buy but always have... paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, etc. I think we did a nice little gift as well, but I like getting the new couple off on a good foot and save them from having to buy the necessities for a while.

one of the cutest gifts I have ever seen and now give is the following

go to a dollar store and get a plastic salad bowl w/lid sometimes you will get lucky and get a whole set with like 4 bowls and lids. inside the bowl crumple up a bunch of money $1's, $5's etc.... (so they look like lettuce) then cut out some bright tomatoes out of a magazine. looks like a salad and is really cute if you pair it up with a pair of plastic salad tongs. all parts are usable nothing to go in a landfill. you can make the money part as much or as little as you want.
another cute idea I have used is to get a cake pan, a cupcake pan, a bundt pan and a couple cake mixes tie them up in a tower. always a big hit also.

Most couples register. Just get something in your price range off there since you don't know her very well.

How about dinner for 2 at a place the bride and groom enjoy eating at?

Does she have a registry -- if so, a collection of the smaller things that seem to make sense together or a set of the towels on the registry is always nice yet impersonal....or some people put together things that weren't on my registry like a nice pasta bowl, bottle of wine, pasta, sauce packet, and tea-towels and gave it to me -- that kind of thing.

If there is no registry, find out where they are honeymooning and get a gift certificate for a highly recommended resturant

the "Photo Freak" in me says get them some photo frames. They make some really nice ones that have family, love or something like that on it. So they can put their photos in them.

For the bridal shower gift, you could get her a gift certificate to get her nails or hair done. Or if you know what type of shower gels, lotions, etc that she likes you could get some of those a make a gift basket or bag.

I would reserve the registry items for the Wedding Gift.

I put together a "Wedding Day Survival Kit"-it can be little things, like those cucumber pads you put over your tired eyes, some kind of foot soaking stuff, pepto, a pretty lotion of some sort, bubble bath, a handkerchief or packet of tissues, chewing gum,etc-you'll think of something-it was a big hit at the shower-and definately-one of a kind.

Hopefully she has registered somewhere or there is a theme behind the Shower: personal, kitchen, for the house etc. I would go reasonably priced and what is on her registry that she already wants. If it's a personal bridal shower, I would go w/a gift card to Bath and Body Works or some other store where they sell lotions etc. for women as you don't know her well. I personally would not spend more than $25. Don't buy lingerie or scented lotions, shower gels since you don't know her that well.

Don't try to be "cute" about the gift. Just get her something off the registry in your price range. Don't feel bad if you only spend 15 dollars. You don't know her well and I think that is just fine. Stay above 10 dollars though!

I would check the registry too. Is there one?

Nice bath salts are always good. If she loves to take baths awesome, if not then maybe it will give her an excuse to relax and take one.
Simple and easy. They have some really nice smells at Bath and Body Works, add a few candles, and put it all into a basket you will be good to go.

I always give one of those multi-purpose cake domes. You can get one for about $30.
http://www.target.com/Acrylic-4-in-1-Cake-Dome/dp/B002OU0...

If she is registered, I would stick with that. I have too many random platters that I never use!

Registry item for sure , if they have one. If not, everyone loves the glass Pyrex baking dish with the insulated travel carrier!