Growing up in the 70’s I went to a lot of showers with my mother and family. They’d be held in reception halls, with about 70 women. Tables of 8 or 10, with a lot food, the old nonna’s who couldn’t be bothered but were there for “figura”, the MC some old has been “wanna be” who laughed at his own jokes, while games were played and prizes given. The gifts were many times duplicated and in triplicate until someone figured out “hey let’s have these brides register”.
After the meal, the men showed up!!! That’s when the bar opened, and dancing. Times changed, so did this tradition of the men showing up, but for the most part a lot of brides are stuck with these very out dated bridal parties.
I didn’t get it then and when I was getting married in 1986 decided I didn’t want that kind of shower…and of course always the non-conformist, my mom and I planned my shower.
Usually it’s a “surprise” whereby you’re fiancée drives you to the designated place and you’re surprised!!! Like you don’t know when your mom yells out, “get dressed up nice today”…..
So, my mom and I planned it ourselves, I made out a gift list (I was ahead of my time as now it’s called a bridal registry) and we had a nice supper at a restaurant, no games, no silly gifts that would embarrass the older women there and we were about 30 women.
Over the years, I went to many showers for friends and the one’s that were not Italian had nice bridal showers where only the girl friends came and there was usually a theme and it was “lingerie” with a stripper at the event. Ok, a few laughs, maybe too much booze, but hey…better than those Italian shindigs!
I have not been to a shower in 3 years and I vowed afterwards unless it was someone terribly close to me, I would never go to another one ever again!!!
So when an invitation came a few weeks ago, I answered “no” but my mom and aunt went, more out of obligation than anything else.
Stay tuned for part II
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