Bridal Shower Thank-You Note Wording Examples

Photo by William Arthur Fine Stationery

Sometimes it can be difficult to even know where to begin writing a bridal shower thank-you note, let alone write one that is personal and memorable. I've found that the four steps outlined here are a no-fail formula for bridal shower thank-you notes your guests will appreciate. Here are some bridal shower thank-you note wording examples based on these four steps.

Thank-You for a Bridal Shower Gift | Guest Attended

Dear Aunt Susie,

Thank you so much for coming to my bridal shower and helping me celebrate my upcoming wedding. I absolutely love the toaster you gave me. Aaron and I both love eating toast with our breakfast, so I know it will be used often! I've always appreciated your love and support of our relationship. Please send my best to Uncle Pat, and I hope to see you at the wedding!

Love,
Ann

Thank-You for a Bridal Shower Gift | Guest Did Not Attend

Dear Louise,


I was sorry to hear you couldn't make it to the shower - we missed you there! But I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the bridal shower gift you sent in the mail. The blanket you picked out is perfect for our living room! In fact, we already have it out on our couch, ready for the next movie night. Thank you again for your generosity. I hope all is well in Alabama, and if it's possible, we would love to see you at the wedding!

Blessings,
Ann

Thank-You for a Bridal Shower Gift | Many Pieces

Dear Francine,

Thank you so much for sharing in my bridal shower. It meant a lot to have you there! I am incredibly grateful for the many thoughtful additions to our home you included in your gift. I'm especially excited to use the new cake pans as I have recently developed a love for baking! Thank you so much for your generosity. I hope we can soon visit you in New York and that we will see you at the wedding!

All the best,
Ann

Thank-You for a Bridal Shower Gift of Money

Dear Beth,


Thank you so much for coming to my bridal shower. It was great to see you and your sweet little daughter! I am so grateful for the gift of money you gave us. We will put it to good use as we begin furnishing our new home. We are sincerely appreciative of your generosity. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from graduate school! We're looking forward to seeing you at the wedding.

With love,
Ann

Let me know if there are other types of samples you'd like to see and I'd be happy to try writing one for you!

What Do You Do at a Bridal Shower?

When I receive an invitation to a bridal shower, I sometimes experience a sense of dread about attending. All too often, bridal showers end up being nothing more than a chance to eat a free meal, participate in a couple of awkward games, and act as a spectator while the bride opens her mountain of gifts. To be fair, the point of the shower is for the bride to receive presents, but that doesn't mean the experience has to be a drag for the guests! If you are planning a bridal shower, consider spicing things up a little with these twists and activities.

What to do at a bridal shower: Make the meal interactive

Get the bridal shower guests involved in a customizable meal. Hold the bridal shower during the brunch hour and offer a build-your-own Belgian waffle bar. If you have access to an oven, have the bridal shower guests put together their own calzones or personal pizzas and serve them fresh out of the oven. You could even offer a make-your-own cocktail (or mocktail) bar and host a contest - the bride's favorite recipe will become the featured drink at the wedding.

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3 Free Christmas Gifts to Rejuvenate Your Relationship

As Christmas approaches, you're surely looking for something special to give that special person in your life. On the other hand, your bank account may be dwindling, and perhaps it would be best if that gift was inexpensive - or, better yet, free. Thankfully, there are plenty of invaluable gifts to give your loved one this Christmas that will not a cost penny and will actually rejuvenate your relationship! Here are three ideas to get you started with your brainstorm.

Golden Silence

My husband would probably jump for joy if I gave him the gift of silence for Christmas. It's not that he doesn't want to hear me talk. On the contrary, he's interested in hearing about my life and having productive discussions with me. Rather, it's that he doesn't want to hear me grumble, interrupt, or nag - which I realize ends up being the majority of our conversation a lot of the time. To rejuvenate your relationship, consider giving the gift of silence - that is, active listening, waiting before saying "no," limited complaining, and the benefit of the doubt.

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Seven Holiday Traditions to Start with Your New Husband

When I was growing up, my family had Christmas traditions that made our holidays unique and memorable. No matter what changed during the year, my siblings and I took comfort in knowing Christmas would be the same. Now that I'm a newlywed and starting my own family, my new husband and I are looking forward to beginning some of our own traditions. It's exciting to think that some of these Christmas traditions will carry on into our kids' lives and shape the way we all remember and look forward to Christmases for years to come. Here is a list of seven traditions my husband and I look forward to starting as we experience our first holiday season as a married couple.

1. A Christmas collection: Start a Christmas collection that we add to every year. My husband and I are going to start a collection of Christmas ornaments that we add to every year, commemorating something exciting that has happened since the last Christmas. If you start a Christmas collection, it doesn't have to be of tree ornaments - it could be buildings for a Christmas village or Precious Moments figurines. Whatever the case, pulling out the collection as you decorate each year is sure to bring back a flood of memories and illustrate how you've grown as a family over time.

2. Christmas morning breakfast: Choose a special food or meal that we will have for breakfast on Christmas morning as a family. Each year, my mom always made homemade coffee cake that we enjoyed as we opened presents on Christmas morning. Of course, my husband and I are big "breakfast people," so our traditional Christmas breakfast will probably be a little more hearty... not only will we look forward to eating it, but also to cooking it together!

3. Church service: Pick a Christmas service at our church that we will attend each year. Growing up, my family always attended the early Mass on Christmas Eve. When we showed up at church, ready to celebrate what we consider the true meaning of Christmas, it really kicked off our Christmas celebration right. Now that my husband and I are members of a new church, in a new city, we will have to choose a Mass that becomes our special Christmas Mass.

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What is Marriage Really Like?

I find it interesting that fairytales often end with weddings. The prince and princess have gone through hell and high water to be together, and the idea seems to be that marriage is the reward, the end of the journey. But what happens after they ride off into the sunset?

I'm not sure marriage is ever what anyone expects it to be when they make their vows. There have been days when I have felt quite disenchanted with the married life, as I face yet another pile of dishes that I don't seem to stand a hope of getting help with or find myself wishing my husband could read my mind. But yet, there have been other days when I have been absolutely floored by the unique strength of the relationship between a husband and a wife. I mean, think about it, two people pledging their lives to each other, promising never to leave the other's side. There is a lot of power in that promise.

When I asked married women of all ages from across the United States to describe what marriage is "really" like, it often came down to the attitude about that promise of partnership. Is it a burden and a chore, or does it present a daily opportunity to grow together, support one another, and build a life together? Maybe a little of both.

Read their quotes on the full article >>>

Love Is Patient, Love is Kind: Living Out Corinthians

It took me two tries to get my latest article published under the Dating & Relationships category on Yahoo! because it was "too religious." The introduction and conclusion of the original are printed below. The one I finally got published after removing every religious reference can be read here. Which do you prefer?

“Love is patient, love is kind…” These words from chapter 13 of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians have become a household phrase, particularly thanks to their popularity at wedding ceremonies. They are part of a comprehensive definition of love set forth by St. Paul – a model for humankind to follow when trying to figure out how to treat one another.

But I have to be honest. More than once, I’ve examined this verse and wondered how often (if ever) I’ve demonstrated this kind of love in my life. When I’m patient, it’s often with an air of exasperation. When I’m kind, it’s often in hopes of recognition or reciprocation. Are there people out there who actually exemplify true patience and kindness in their relationships?

When I asked this question of my friends, two responded with a resounding yes. Even more intriguing than their enthusiasm was the fact that they had both dealt with serious health conditions. It was through these battles that their partners really demonstrated the kind of true love St. Paul seems to be describing in Corinthians...

(The two stories were kept practically intact.)

Living Out Corinthians

I can’t help but wonder why it is that these two compelling stories of true love come from women who faced serious health crises with their partners by their sides. Maybe I’ve just stumbled upon two truly remarkable men. Maybe it’s true that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. But maybe, more than that, health crises renew our sense of purpose in relationships. It’s clear that what both women’s partners gave them was what St. Paul was describing: unconditional love, the kind through which one casts oneself aside in order to serve the other, completely independent of what the other gives in return. 

I hate to say it, but perhaps I’ve been waiting around for some impetus to really show this kind of love to my husband. But I don’t want it to take a health crisis to kick me into gear. What would our marriage look like if I actually lived out Corinthians on a daily basis? I’m guessing a lot like how God intended marriage to look – selfless and unconditional love between two people, in sickness and in health.

5 Unique Ideas for Halloween Group Dates

If you're planning on getting friends together for a Halloween group date this year, you could stick with the traditional trick-or-treating, Halloween party, or scary movie marathon. But if you're in the mood for a little something different and out-of-the-casket - er, box - then here are five ghoulish ideas that will give you a Halloween group date to remember. Witch will you choose?

Murder mystery dinner

"Who dunnit?" will be the question of the night as you experience your murder mystery dinner Halloween group date. Make a reservation at a nearby murder mystery dinner theater, order a script from an online provider, or, if you're feeling particularly creative, come up with your own. With costumes and a willingness to be part of the show, you and your friends will have a fun, interactive, thrilling night to remember.

Local ghost tour
This Halloween group date will require a little bit of research, but it will be well worth it. Spend some time online or at the library discovering where all the supposed local "haunted spots" are, from houses to graveyards. Some may be drive-by-only locations, but others may even be offering tours on or around Halloween. Share the stories you learned about each stop as you visit.

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