To Follow or Not to Follow (the Registry)

I have a wedding shower coming up at the end of April and since I am going to be one of the younger attendees (or so I think), I thought it might be fun to give something that's not strictly on the registry and perhaps a little more "fun" (see Miss Fox's fabulous DIY monogram gift). I know some people take serious issue with off-the-registry gifts, but I'm not in that camp myself.

Throughout my posts, I think you've seen that I love to give unique gifts; some creative and DIY (bachelorette ideas here and here) and others personalized to the event / couple / bride (engagement ideas here and here). Well, this upcoming event seemed like a good time to expand to bridal showers, staying away from your traditional china or crystal. Looking for the Hive's help with some of the ideas I'm considering!

I did some googling and found a first option that fit with a love that many of us have...wine (everyone loves wine...right?): a wine basket with individual bottle to celebrate specific events.

Heather from Occasions Magazine coordinated the tags & decor with the wedding colors (Source)

So, that's on the table...with a bit of personalization, likely. I'm thinking of spicing up the poems and maybe even putting photos on some of the wine bottles.

My second idea was to tailor a gift to the couple and their lifestyle. They live in New York City and have no plan to move in the short term. With a wedding in Philadelphia, they've had to spend a lot of time away from their home with all the preparations in the past year. So, I was thinking about a gift that would keep them in New York.

Personal photo of the Statue of Liberty

This will require a bit more work, but I'm thinking of a gift certificate to a nice dinner and maybe even adding a fun tour or a night at a nice hotel (googling for deals would be required). The goal would be to give them a night off from wedding planning to just enjoy time as a couple! The idea for this gift came from a gift given to me and Mr. Turkey by MOH J - a gift certificate to the restaurant we visited after our engagement. I would love to do that for this couple, but they were engaged in Florida, so a celebratory meal in their hometown seemed to be the next best option.

Finally, the couple is planning to go to Bora Bora and Moorea for their honeymoon.

Doesn't this look like paradise?
(Image from Four Seasons Bora Bora)

This gift would involve an excursion or dinner "voucher" for their honeymoon plus maybe a few extras, like a personalized beach towel or beach bag with their new monogram.

Pottery Barn beach towel

I gave a similar shower gift a couple years ago with several other bridesmaids (it also involved a bride bathing suit & flip flops) and it went over really well! Although the bag & beach towel might not make it the several time zones over with this couple, they spend a lot of summer weekends at the beach (or "the shore") and so I know they'd get use. And they would spice up the gift from just being an envelope.

With all of these gifts there is the potential to split it with a few other guests (which ups the potential to really make them generous), but wanted to see what might resonate with the brides in the Hive before making a proposal / getting started.

So, what do you think is the best non-registry shower gift idea?
A) Wine Basket
B) NYC themed gift
C) Honeymoon themed gift
D) Just order off the registry, Miss Turkey
E) Other - hit the comments

Please share any fun unique shower gifts you've received / given!