Charity Showers
Well, it’s finally spring, and you know what that means. That’s right - bridal showers, baby showers and weddings! (Please, contain your enthusiasm.)
I just got a bridal shower invitation in the mail yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my friend and her fiance have requested a charity shower. Guests have been asked to contribute any amount they’d like to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through the couple’s charity registry at JustGive.org. I think this is awesome, especially since her matron of honor (and host of the shower) has MS.
So, if there are no presents, what are we going to do at the shower? It’s at a tea room, so I suppose we will drink tea and eat crumpets or something. Plus chit-chat and maybe play a few games.
For those who actually enjoy the gift-opening part, there are still charitable options. For instance, my former boss had shower guests for her fifth wedding bring wrapped toys for children living at a battered women’s shelter. My boss still got to open presents, everyone got to ooh and ah, and we all got to help out a charity.
So, if you’re a bride- or mom-to-be and already have the things you need, why not celebrate with a charity shower?
But if you don’t have the things you need and aren’t Nicole Richie, don’t feel guilty about having a traditional shower. There are always other things you can do.
For example, you know the tacky dollar dance that people have at wedding receptions? One of my friends made it into a beautiful gesture when she announced that the “dollars” would be going to the American Heart Association in honor of her mother, who died of a heart attack. It was a relatively small wedding, but guests donated over $500.
I think most guests enjoy it when people weave charitable giving into life’s celebrations. Just don’t go make a donation to The Human Fund in lieu of wedding favors or anything.
