Bridal shower on the horizon? You’re probably wondering what you should give the bride-to-be. Traditionally, a bridal shower is a celebration of the bride’s upcoming marriage and an opportunity to give the couple gifts for their home like appliances, china settings, and serving pieces. But the etiquette for showers has changed over time and today’s modern celebrations tend to be more focused on the bride-to-be, celebrating their upcoming marriage and showering them with good wishes and more personal gifts rather than gifts on their wedding registry.
"While getting something off the couple's registry helps check off [their] wish list, I love off-registry items that are meaningful keepsakes," says event planner Heather Lowenthal. "A few go-tos for me are a custom bag with the bride’s name or new last name or monogram, a hand-painted watercolor of the wedding venue or couple, or a painted champagne bottle with the couple’s name and wedding date."
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To help you find the best bridal shower gifts for the bride, we researched various options, including practical, sentimental, and personalized gifts. We narrowed down our top picks based on durability, usability, quality of materials, price point, personalization options, and overall value.
Read on for the best bridal shower gifts the bride will love.
Minted Leaf Monogram
Part of the Minted + Brides collaboration, we love this personalized stationery for any bride because of its sleek design and high-quality materials. This set is perfect for post-wedding thank-you notes, checking-in letters, and much more.
You can choose from 10 foil colors—if they already have a wedding palette in place, this is the perfect opportunity to feature it—four different silhouettes, and four different weights of paper. There's even a recycled version of the brand's original paper that's ideal for a bride who has a passion for the environment. The foil is hand-pressed, and the finished product comes housed in a complimentary keepsake box.
Who It's For
Any bride-to-be will love this classic, personalized stationery in a keepsake box
Johnson Craft Studio Personalized Wedding Hanger
The most important dress the bride-to-be will ever wear deserves a special place to hang—and this custom hanger fits the bill for its attractive design and durability. It's easy to personalize with the bride's name, and you can add numbers and a heart shape as well. Each hanger is made of high-quality solid wood, and you can choose from three colors: natural, white, or brown.
The personalized name is made from sturdy aluminum that's available in silver, gold, and rose gold finishes. For an extra special touch, the brand also provides a plain bow or flower bow of your choice to decorate the hanger with. Overall, this is a stunning option that's perfect for their special dress.
Who It's For
The bride who loves a personalized keepsake and is excited to display her new name with her dress
Simply Embroidered Boutique Personalized Makeup Bag
From the wedding festivities to the honeymoon, there are countless times when a makeup bag will come in handy for the bride-to-be. We love this one from Simply Embroidered Boutique on Etsy because it's chic and customizable.
Made from vegan leather, this bag comes in white, grey, navy, black, pink, teal, and rose gold. You also have the option of choosing the font and design style for the embroidered name or monogram. It has a smooth zip-around closure and can hold all of the bride's toiletries, like small shampoo bottles, toothpaste, brushes, and more.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who loves to travel in style will appreciate this vegan makeup bag
Bridal Party Robe Shop Personalized Satin Robes
Essential for wedding day prep, a luxe satin robe is a must-have for the bride-to-be, and this one is extra special because it comes embroidered with the bride’s name and wedding date. You can get up to two lines embroidered and pick the color of the thread. The robe itself comes in nine colors and inclusive sizing, starting with S all the way up to 2X.
There is an interior tie to tighten the robe for a more customized fit and a removable sash belt on the outside. This robe is perfect to lounge around in and great for photo ops on the bride's wedding day.
Who It's For
A sentimental bride who enjoys luxurious garments
Susabellas Signature Platter
Elegant, timeless, and completely one-of-a-kind, this handmade, customizable platter is an instant heirloom. Made from glazed ceramic, it comes stamped with the couple's initials and wedding date and is food-safe, making it perfect for any party the bride and groom will host in the future.
This also works as a creative gift since the platter is large enough to use as a guestbook. Due to its large size, it can hold up to around 125 signatures (less if guests write longer messages). To make the signatures permanent, bake the platter in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Take note, however, that this does make the platter unsafe for food. No matter how the bride-to-be chooses to use it, it will last for years to come.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who enjoys entertaining and a one-of-a-kind gift
BHLDN Rosa Chemise
Detailed with rose lace, this chemise is feminine, sexy, and seductive. It comes in sizes S through XL and has adjustable straps for a custom fit. It's made of soft polyester, so it's comfortable to wear alone or under a bridal robe. Overall, it's the perfect flirtatious get-up for the bride-to-be on their wedding night, honeymoon, or date night.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who loves lacey lingerie
DESEDA Lucky Charms Scarf
This picture-perfect, jewel-toned silk scarf is ideal for every bridal event leading up to the big day (and after), which is why it would be the perfect gift for any soon-to-be-wed. It features a pattern of charms that are known to bring hope and good energy, everything a bride needs before she says "I do."
Who It's For
Anyone who enjoys wearing a unique and colorful scarf
Eberjey Gisele Short PJ Set
The bride-to-be deserves the royal treatment with fancy PJs, and this dreamy set fits the bill. Made from TENCEL modal and spandex, this set is comfortable and lightweight. Their short design is ideal for hot sleepers, and it's gentle on the skin.
It comes in several colors, including a few fun limited edition shades, like lilac, blush, and ocean blue. Although the size range could be a bit more inclusive, it does come in XS to XL. And for an extra cost, you can get this set monogrammed with the bride-to-be's initials. We also love that this set can be machine-washed for easy care
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who appreciates high-quality, comfortable pajamas
PCB Home Calligraphy Name Lumbar Pillow
We love this personalized lumbar pillow from PCB Home on Etsy because it cozies up any space. Each pillow comes in white and natural finishes, and you can choose between 12 different text colors, two different seam designs, and two different fill options. Only one font style is available, but it is still a chic and elegant script. This pillow will upgrade any couch or bed in the bride's home.
Who It's For
Any bride who would enjoy displaying her new name on her bed or sofa
Paper Source Jackson Custom Stamp
We love this custom stamp for its overall value. Between the wedding invitations and thank you notes, there’s always something to be addressed, so this gift is as useful as it is beautiful. The brand offers tons of designs, but we like this one because it's bold yet simple and easy to read, a must for any envelopes or packages going through the mail.
We also love that it's available in two options: a set or just the stamp plate. The latter is a great option if you know your bride-to-be already has a stamp machine.
Who It's For
This is a great gift for the bride-to-be who plans to send lots of cards and letter in the mail
The Newlywed Table
If you're looking for a gift that cultivates an experience, look no further than this cookbook from Maria Zizka. With 100 recipes, from basic dishes to more modern meals and desserts, this cookbook will allow your bride-to-be to cook, nourish, and share meals with their partner and loved ones. This pick is especially great for novice cooks since it has a section dedicated to addressing common cooking mishaps and how to overcome them.
Beyond cooking, this book also teaches newlyweds how to properly store food, repurpose leftovers, set a table, plan a dinner party, and more. It inspires connection, making it a valuable gift for any bride.
Who It's For
This is a thoughtful gift for the couple who loves to cook together
Uncommon Goods First Toast Personalized Art
For the artsy bride, we love this customizable vintage-inspired print. Designed by Chicago-based artist Alexander Doll, you can personalize this print with the couple's name, wedding date, wedding venue, and city. It comes in a durable, 42 x 30-inch or 27 x 21-inch wooden frame and is printed on double-weight matte paper with archival ink, making it high-quality enough to last for years. The bride and groom will remember their wedding day every time they glance at it.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who will appreciate decorating with a piece of artwork commemorating their special day
Date Night In Journal
Date nights and time spent together are the building blocks of a thriving relationship, and this interactive journal inspires conversation and intimacy between partners, making it a great experiential gift. With over 75 prompts about a couple's past, present, and future, this book allows them to create a time capsule of their relationship and marriage. It's a sturdy hardcover book with gorgeous illustrations throughout that would look great tucked away on a bookshelf or put on display.
Who It's For
The couple who enjoys deep and meaningful conversations
Slip Silk Beauty Sleep to Go
Let’s be honest, there’s plenty of joy in planning a wedding, but it can also lead to some sleepless nights, which is why we love this beauty sleep set from Slip. The set includes a pillowcase and sleep mask made from luxurious Mulberry silk, a material known for its ability to protect the skin from drying out and wrinkling and hair from breaking and frizzing. Overall, this set will help the bride-to-be sleep comfortably and worry-free before and after the big day.
Who It's For
Any bride-to-be who can use a little extra pampering
The Hrdwood.om Engraved Personalized Cutting Board
Another great customizable pick, this durable cutting board is perfect for any bride-to-be. It's made from premium cherry, oak, or walnut wood and has been oiled twice with hot mineral oil to ensure its longevity. You can choose between three sizes and engrave a family name and date on the front. What's more is you have the option of adding an engraving on the backside, so you can add your own personalized message to the happy couple. The bride can use this for food prep for daily meals or as a cheese plate for any future parties and events they may hold in the future.
Who It's For
The bride who will enjoy a useful and sentimental gift
Five Two Apron With Built-In Pot Holders
If the bride-to-be is a baker or chef, they’ll totally appreciate a sweet cooking-related gift. This apron is designed based on consumer feedback and packed with tons of features that make it feel like an extra set of hands. Available in three different sizes and five different colors, it has an adjustable neck strap, three pockets, built-in pot holders, extra-long waist ties, and a hanging loop to keep it from touching the ground when it's not in use.
This also comes with a conversion chart in the pockets to make baking even easier. If that isn't appealing enough, it's also made of durable, machine-washable cotton twill that will prevent spills from leaking through to your clothes.
Who It's For
The bride who loves to cook and bake
Tiffany Elsa Peretti Alphabet Pendant Necklace
Simply chic, this timeless pendant necklace by Elsa Peretti is a beautiful way to celebrate the bride. It's available in 18k gold, sterling silver, or rose gold and can be customized with a cursive initial that has an abstract vibe. It comes on a 16-inch chain and is minimal yet versatile enough to pair with other necklaces the bride may have in their collection.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who will appreciate a classic necklace in a little blue box
BoxFox For the Bride
We love this gift box because it helps the bride get down the aisle worry-free. Containing a mini emergency kit for brides, a scented candle, and two silk scrunchies, this box delivers a calming experience that lets the bride know you have their back. Per the personalization side of things, you can choose a creme or matte black box and a greeting card from one of the brand's custom designs.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who will appreciate a thoughtful gift to enjoy on her wedding day
Venus Et Fleur Le Petite Round
This sweet-smelling gift will last far longer than the bridal shower centerpieces. Venus Et Fleur’s real eternity roses last a year (or longer!) so they’ll always have beautiful, fresh blooms in their home. The roses are available in an array of colors, so you can choose her favorite, and come in a cute little hat box, all ready for gifting and display.
Who It's For
Any bride-to-be who loves roses will enjoy this personal and long-lasting gift
Terrain Etched Floral Coupes
With plenty of bubbly to drink and things to cheers to during her journey to “I do,” these pretty champagne coupes are sure to come in handy. The set comes complete with two handmade coupes—one for her and the other for her soon-to-be spouse—and each features a delicate floral motif etched on the glass.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who enjoys the finer things will appreciate this pair of handmade champagne coupes
Smeg Ice Cream Maker
Who doesn’t want 24/7 access to ice cream? You can give yourself that ultimate gift with this ice maker stand mixer accessory from Smeg! With a cold-accumulating double-wall cooling system, it can whip up ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt; and the stainless steel internal container can hold up to a pound of ingredients.
Who It's For
Anyone who loves high-quality small appliances and frozen treats
Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Tin
If you plan on playing the classic bridal shower game where everyone shares a favorite recipe with the bride, this recipe tin is the perfect gift. Courtesy of Rifle Paper Co., it features a full-color floral design with metallic gold accents and interior and comes complete with 24 recipe cards and 12 recipe dividers.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who treasures family recipes and cultivating new ones
Rifle Paper Co. Colette Votive Candle Set
Candles are a gift that works for any occasion—including bridal showers! This set comes with five votive candles, each featuring a scent inspired by a destination around the world, such as the Adirondack Forest, Marrakech, Provence, the Amalfi Coast, and Paris, and they all boast a 15-hour burn time and soy-based formula.Â
Who It's For
Anyone who loves candles and world travel will appreciate this set
Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book
For a personalized gift, look to Artifact Uprising and their stunning photo books. You can upload the couple’s engagement photos to create an album worthy of coffee table status. The book features fabric binding in 11 color options, customizable dust jackets and layouts, high-quality printing, foil detailing options, and recycled paper.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who loves a high-quality personal photo album
Vinglacé Wine Bottle Chiller
To ensure that her bottle of vino is always perfectly chilled, gift her this freezer-safe wine insulator. Thanks to its double-walled vacuum insulation and stainless steel construction, it’ll keep wine cold without the ice and condensation. Oh, and how perfect is that wedding white hue? To complete the gift, pair it with her favorite bottle of wine! For those looking for a bachelorette party gift for the bride-to-be, this wine bottle chiller is also a great choice for that event.
Who It's For
This is a great gift for wine connoisseurs or anyone who enjoys a bottle with friends
Bodum Chambord Copper 34-Oz French Press
Upgrade her daily caffeine fix with this gorgeous French press. With it, she’ll be able to save time in the morning and whip up a delicious brew in just four minutes. It features heat-tempered borosilicate glass, a stay-cool handle, and knob, a 34-ounce capacity, a stainless-steel frame, and filter, plus beautiful copper plating.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who appreciates a high-quality cup of coffee made with a beautiful appliance
Our Place Perfect Pot
This Instagram-famous cookware brand makes for an enviable bridal shower gift! The Perfect Pot can do it all: boil, crisp, bake, braise, roast, steam, strain, pour, serve, and store. It’s also compatible with all cooktops, weighs in at only four and a half pounds, and is made with a non-toxic and non-stick ceramic coating that’s free of potentially harmful chemicals like PFOAs, PTFEs, and lead.
Who It's For
A bride-to-be who is excited about starting or adding to her cookware collection
Flytographer Gift Card
Flytograher allows you to book photo shoots that last from 30 minutes up to two hours and take place—get this—practically anywhere in the world! With professional photographers located in tons of major cities like Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bali, Barcelona, and more, a Flytograher gift card will allow the bride to capture special honeymoon photos wherever she and her partner go. Â
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who wants professional-quality photos when she travels with her partner
Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser
Finally—an essential oil diffuser that isn’t an eye sore! She’ll want to leave this porcelain diffuser out all the time, due to its minimalist aesthetic and matte ceramic finish. Functionally, it’s just as impressive: Details include continuous diffuser settings that range from three to seven and a half hours and a BPA-free plastic water reservoir. Plus, it comes in an on-theme white hue.
Who It's For
The bride who wants a high-quality, attractive diffuser that looks as good as the scents it produces
Mark & Graham Dipped Ceramic Pitcher
A monogrammed gift is perfect for bridal showers—especially if the bride plans on changing her last name, as you can personalize it using her new initials! This dipped ceramic pitcher is crafted from durable stoneware and can be customized with a variety of fonts. Available in four colors and in two sizes, it can be used to hold both beverages and flowers for added versatility.
Who It's For
The bride who wants a classy, monogrammed piece she can use every day
Mark & Graham Beach Organization Set
Use your bridal shower gift as an opportunity to get the bride ready for her honeymoon! This travel set includes three cotton totes to make packing a total breeze. With one designated for a swimsuit, another for shoes, and the last for a pair of sunnies, her suitcase will be so organized. You can even personalize the set with her initials.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who loves an organized travel bag
Uncommon Goods Anniversary Vintage Wine Box
For a bridal shower gift that they’ll still be using years from now, look to this customizable wine box. Handmade from Aspen and Baltic birch plywood in High Ridge, Missouri, it can be engraved with the couple’s names, wedding date and location, and three anniversary years. Include three bottles of wine for them to open and toast to each year.
Who It's For
A sentimental bride and groom who enjoy sharing a bottle of vino
Minted Custom Puzzle
How fun is this? You can create a custom puzzle featuring a special photo of the couple. Think: one of their engagement photos or a shot of the proposal. It’ll be printed on high-quality matte paper and chipboard, and the 252-piece puzzle will come packaged in a drawstring pouch and a hinged box.
Who It's For
A bride-to-be who enjoys puzzles will love this custom photo puzzle
Up2ournecksinfabric Customized Sweatshirt
If she’s changing her last name, gift her another opportunity to rep her new moniker. This cozy sweatshirt is available in four neutral tones and comes personalized with her name and wedding year. It’s just the thing to pack for the plane on her way to her honeymoon, and she may even want to wear it while getting ready the morning of the wedding!
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who loves a cozy sweatshirt with just the right amount of personalization
Flowjoco Date Night Ideas
This bridal shower gift is great for the newlywed life! Housed in this gift box the bride will find 100 unique and fun date night ideas and prompts. From embarking on an epic road trip together to creating a time capsule to skinny dipping, these ideas will keep the laughs and romance flowing post-I dos.
Who It's For
The couple who love to keep things fresh and fun
TheraBox Self-Care Subscription Box
Real talk: Wedding planning is stressful business. Help her relax with this subscription box that comes full of self-care goodies. With delivery and purchase options that range from one month up to a year, Therabox is curated by actual therapists, and individual boxes may include aromatherapy, natural or organic bath, body, and skincare products, and wellness activities for an average retail value of $200.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who appreciates relaxation and self-care products
Serena & Lily Topanga Linen Throw
Help cozy up her newlywed home with this lovely linen throw. Available in a neutral, will-go-with-anything doe hue, details include 100 percent linen fabric, hand-knotted tassels, and a chambray weave featuring white and dyed crossed yarns. It’s also the ideal lightweight feel for year-round use.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who appreciates high-quality, cozy linens
Hannah Bergen Wedding Keepsake Kit
The wedding day will go by fast. Help her remember every moment of it with this wedding keepsake kit from Anthropologie. With three notebooks (a journal, a wedding keepsake book, and one for guests and gifts) and supplies for scrapbooking and saving mementos from the big day, this heartfelt bridal shower gift provides everything she needs to preserve those special memories.
Who It's For
The sentimental bride who loves scrapbooking and treasures souvenirs of special occasions
Anthropologie Victoria Frame
This glided, gorgeous frame can be used to showcase a special memory, such as one of her future wedding photos or a cute shot of her and her bridesmaids at the bridal shower. The ornate brass-hued frame is crafted from polyresin and glass and comes in five sizes, including a trifold option.
Who It's For
The bride who loves antiques and Victorian style
Calvin Klein Stainless Steel Mesh 34mm Watch
Watches, like this one from Calvin Klein, are timeless pieces she will always cherish, especially on her bridal shower. The clean, minimalistic design features a sleek metal bracelet, clasp closure, water-resistant bar, and a spiral-like bezel for practicality, and can easily be dressed up or down to suit any occasion she finds herself in.
Who It's For
A bride-to-be with a modern, minimalist style
francesca's Shirdee Beaded Bride Clutch
You can never go wrong with a clutch as a gift. Not only can she wear it during her bridal shower, she can also wear it during her wedding day to keep all of her essentials. We love how this playful clutch, in particular, is hand-beaded with the word "Bride" written across the flap for more personalization.
Who It's For
The bride-to-be who enjoys showing her status when she's out and about
Awesome Hanger Bridal Dress Custom Hanger
In order for her wedding day to be extra picture-perfect, a personalized hanger to place her wedding dress on is a must. Add her wedding date, name, or future last name to the hanger for a sentimental touch.
Who It's For
The bride who wants her name and wedding date personalized on a hanger for her wedding day
Mod Party Bride Personalized Robe
Made with silky cotton lace, this robe is the perfect bridal shower surprise that she can wear as she preps for her big day. Outside of the personalized text and robe color, the robe also comes with a matching belt for an adjustable fit.
Who It's For
A bride-to-be who enjoys a lightweight robe with lace detail
What to Look for in a Bridal Shower Gift for the Bride
- Personalization and Thoughtfulness: A great place to start looking for a bridal shower gift for the bride is the couple's wedding registry. But the shower is also a great opportunity to gift the bride something unique and special just for her. Personalized gifts, pretty lingerie, jewelry, and champagne flutes are all thoughtful presents that put the spotlight on her! When choosing a gift for the bride-to-be, think of her personal style, interests, and anything she might need for the special day that she wouldn't buy for herself. We especially love the Minted Robert + Stella Leaf Monogram and the Mark & Graham Dipped Ceramic Pitcher.
- Something for the Wedding Day: Giving the bride-to-be something special she can use on her wedding day is always a practical and sentimental choice. That's why we included the Bridal Party Robe Shop Personalized Satin Robe and the Johnson Craft Studio Custom Bridal Hanger in our list of top bridal shower gift recommendations. It's something that will make the wedding day, and all of those gorgeous photos of her gown, that much more beautiful. You might also consider champagne flutes for the bride and her bridesmaids or a custom jewelry case to hold her accessories for the big day.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Elizabeth MacLennan has been scouring marketplaces around the world—and web—hunting down that just right object for over 15 years as a prop stylist. Read: she’s seen just about everything when it comes to gifts! With a discerning eye and astute mind, she considers quality, function, and design when she’s vetting products. Plus, she’s attended many bridal showers in her lifetime and knows a good gift for the bride-to-be when she sees it.
For this article, the BRIDES team spoke to an industry expert for their valuable insight
- Heather Lowenthal is a wedding and events planner and the owner of Posh Parties.