One of your best friend’s is getting married, which means you’re on the hunt for just the right bridal shower gift! You’re looking for something unique, personalized, and symbolic that she’ll treasure forever. After all, she delighted you with an ultra-special bridesmaid proposal present. But at first glance, the market is overflowing with bridal shower gifts that range from cheesy to cliché with a touch of naughty in the mix (think the overdone lingerie).
No need to panic, though: we’ve compiled a list designed to help you out on this task! From the perfect home décor items to the best subscription packages, and from timeless jewelry pieces to monogramed goods, check out our 15 bridal shower gifts that are anything but tacky.
The Wild at Heart Passport Case
You are surely going to score big points in the gift giving department when your gift is a quick reminder of the exciting honeymoon to follow! This darling little passport case does just that – serves as a symbol of fun times ahead! Delight the bride to be with a gift that’s both vacation mood-inducing and super chic, namely this lovely Wild at Heart Passport Case, adorned with lush flowers in pink and mint hues.
The Emily Jeffords Monogram Trinket Dish
What better way to display her beloved rings than in a personalized dish that reminds her of one of her best friends? Offer her one of the prettiest ways to show her bling out there with these gorgeous trinket dishes, personalized with your letter of choice. Ideal for photo-ops on the Big Day or as a dainty décor piece that merges functionality with chicness, these lovely trinket dishes come in the sweetest color palette, complete with hand-applied decals.
The 14K Gold Freshwater Pearl & Amethyst Sophia Tincup Earrings
One of the hottest trends of the year in the jewelry niche is no other than the unexpected combo of gems and pearls – especially in dangle and drop designs. And this pair of bridal earrings by The Pearl Source is all about merging modern appeal with a timeless, classic touch. Discover the 14K Gold Freshwater Pearl & Amethyst Sophia Tincup Earrings, which make a stunning bridal shower gift for a girl who can’t resist a radiant, dainty and feminine piece of jewelry.
A bridesmaid jewelry MUST! Discover the beauty of Station Pearl Jewelry in our radiant collection that carries an aura of charm and whimsy. Delicate designs—including necklaces, bridal and bridesmaid earrings and pearl bracelets—twinkling gemstones, and radiant pearls create effortlessly chic pieces, designed to be enjoyed for years to come.
The Personalized Wooden Cutting Board
If your ideal bridal shower gifts are those that are half practical, half pretty to look at, then this next one from The Knot might just be what you’re looking for. For a bride (or a groom) who loves spending time in the kitchen, customized kitchenware simply can’t go wrong. Our pick: this rustic wood cutting board, which comes with a personalized touch. You get to customize it by adding the couple’s engraved family name, the couple’s names or their monogramed initials. Made of acacia wood, this board is ideal for accessorizing a bar or a kitchen, chopping, as well as serving a display of gourmet cheeses.
The Personalized Leather Travel Jewelry Portfolio
Help your friend keep an organized carry-on ahead of the honeymoon of a lifetime with this sleek personalized leather travel jewelry portfolio, available in the prettiest soft hues. If the bride has the wanderlust bug or she’s always on the go due to her work schedule, traveling accessories make some of the best bridal shower gifts. And a thoughtful personalized touch into the mix and you’ve got yourself a winner, like this practical McKenna clutch by Pottery Barn, which comes in supple bonded leather.
THE STORY: The first bridal shower took place in the late 1800s. During a party before the nuptials, the bride’s friends tucked small gifts into a parasol. When the bride opened it, there was a “shower” of presents.
With the overwhelming variety of fragrances and perfumes out there, picking just the right bridal shower gifts can feel a little daunting. But this next recommendation is here to direct you towards the very best – best as in, a romance-infused fragrance that speaks (and smells) of love, with the most romantic name around: The Mon Paris. Classic, elegant, with notes of florals and exoticism – as its creators state, this fragrance is inspired by the city of intense love, with its red berries and pear tones, plus bergamot, calone and jasmine notes.
The Custom Wedding Dress Hanger
What better way to display a stunning lace wedding dress than on an equally gorgeous hanger, adorned with lush florals? Meet the Custom Wedding Dress Hanger, perfect for the Big Day festivities and ready for that Instagram-worthy photo-op. Plus, this handmade piece is customized with the name of the bride, for a special extra touch that will elevate this gift to unforgettable levels.
Foil-pressed wall art is currently all the rage – and if you want to hop on the trend, there’s no better way than with a city art print that holds a special meaning. Pick the city where the bride and groom met, where they got engaged or where they fell in love , then opt for one of these modern-gone-romantic city maps, whether it’s New York, San Francisco or Miami.
The Monogram Faux Leather Cosmetics Case
From the ‘bridal shower gifts that scream of honeymoon vibes’ collection, here’s another must-have: the Monogram Faux Leather Cosmetics Case, for the bride’s entire traveling essentials arsenal. With its roomy interior and additional drawstring pouches, this pretty case comes personalized with your letter of choice.
She’s got the dress, she’s got the ring – but what she most likely doesn’t have is the perfect ring box. Forget the basics when you can go all out and gift her this unexpected, shimmery rose and pastel pink little box, ready for the Big Day photo session. When it comes to bridal shower gifts, few are as ready for camera as this one. Featuring blush velvet and rose gold metal, this dainty box is the perfect keepsake for modern brides who can’t resist a touch of pink and shimmer.
FUN FACT: In the US, bridal showers became popular during the Victorian Era, when ladies of the upper class held them to celebrate, gossip and exchange gifts, food and ideas on the bride’s new role as a wife.
The Instax Personalized Wedding Album
As a bestseller in its niche, this next little present makes one of the best bridal shower gifts for ladies who are all about perfectly preserving the memories of their Big Day. And when said gift comes in the softest shade of pastel pink with the shiny lettering monogram of your choice, even better. This Instax Photo Guestbook makes a gorgeous handmade gift not only for the bride, but for the groom as well – and it’s their choice whether they use it as an actual guestbook at their wedding or to collect the best pictures of their ceremony, reception or honeymoon.
The Bouqs Flower Subscriptions
If you’re looking for the ‘gift that keeps on giving’ (literally), this next bridal shower gift is just the one. For the girl that has everything, there are few bridal shower gifts more appropriate than this next lush one. Offer her the gift of gorgeous blooms and inviting fragrances with a unique, unexpected present: a flower subscription from The Bouqs. Delivered on your (or her) schedule, this flower subscription package brings you exclusively fresh-cut flowers that are long-lasting – and you get to pick from three different curated collections, available only to subscribers.
The Pink Freshwater Pearl Dangling Diamond Pendant
Bridal shower gifts that last a lifetime? We are all on board – and jewelry pieces featuring iridescent pearls or mother of pearl are on top of the list. If you are planning on surprising your friend with a stunning bling, then there’s no safer bet than a feminine pendant necklace featuring a timeless combo: diamonds and pearls. And this one by The Pearl Source comes in the prettiest hue of all: soft, delicate rose. The Pink Freshwater Pearl Dangling Diamond Pendant makes a great gift for a bride-to-be that loves classic jewelry pieces with a modern look – plus, this radiant creation makes a stunning bridal piece, perfectly complementing a bouquet of pale pink roses.
Delicate and feminine, Pearl Pendants carry a versatile and timeless quality that few other pieces of jewelry possess. Merging the irresistible glow of classic pearls with modern designs that define elegance, our collection of Pearl Pendants carries styles for each and every taste out there, catering to all types of jewelry lovers and occasions.
To complete your look, pick your favorite style from our premium collection of Pearl Rings, featuring stunning Freshwater, South Sea, Tahitian and Akoya Pearls.
The Serena House Ranger Essential Oil Diffuser
If the bride to be is into wellness, then gift her the gift of aromatherapy with this next present that comes in an irresistible pastel pink hue. The Serena House Ranger Essential Oil Diffuser is one of those bridal shower gifts that combine utility with great design, thanks to its compact size, durable construction and USB connection. All it needs is the right mix of essential oils (peppermint + cinnamon + rosemary for the win!), and the perfect serene atmosphere and spa-like vibes are installed.
If the bride loves jewelry pieces with a personalized touch, this next bridal shower gift should definitely be on your shopping list. Meet the best-selling Bride Idiom Bangle by Kate Spade, which comes engraved with wedding bliss messages. Sleek and modern, yet romantic at the same time, this symbolic jewelry piece is the perfect gift for a bride who loves to celebrate, as the piece is delicately engraved with: ‘cue the confetti, cheers!, kiss the bride, tie the knot, toss the bouquet, cut the cake’. Plus, you get to pick from two equally tempting options: white or yellow gold plated finish.
Make the bridal shower of your bestie an unforgettable experience by not only being there for her ahead of the anticipated nuptials, but also by offering a memorable gift from the heart. And whether that means opting for one of the bridal shower gifts that sparkle in any light, the ones that merge style with functionality or ones that smell heavenly, the only rule that matters is that you ditch the tacky in favor of the timeless.
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Content Writer and Editor at The Pearl Source
Carla Jonas is a content writer and editor at leading pearl retailer The Pearl Source. Passionate about everything jewelry, décor and fashion-related, Carla is ready to bring you the latest on what to wear, hot trends, style tips and more.