Has any of your mother...

dislike what is being done for you at your bridal shower?

I just got off the phone with my best friend's mother who feels that playing games at her daugther's shower is a lame idea! I understand that not everyone is into these kind of things but it upsets me since SHE isn't even helping me with the planning. All she does is criticize all my ideas. As her daugther's maid of honor it's my job to plan the shower but this is all new to me and I'm doing the best I can. I have never thrown a party in my life, let alone a shower with 50 woman. My friend has told me that she has faith in me and wants her mother to be part of the planning. The problem is we have just begun to plan this shower and this lady is already driving me crazy!

Have any of you had this problem?
Have any of you had shower that did not involed games? how did you pass the time besides wacthing the future bride open her gifts ?

By the way I'm footing the bill for everything!

Re: Has any of your mother...

I think that games are good during opening of gifts. My mom did games--lots of them actually. Eveyone got a folder filled with games a pencil & a clothes pin (part of some game with crossing your legs). She made up great basket for the winners & each one had a number on it so when you won a prize u had to pick a number & that was the prize you got. She got some stuff from teh dollar store including my favor which was a luffer & a body gel. It was so cute. Everyone seemed to be fine with the games. There is alway speople that aren't going ot want to do them but honestly it keeps some people especially older people busy while the bride to be opens her gifts.

My mom planned my whole shower so there was no drama but if you are teh MOH & she isn't helping tell her that you are planning it & if you wants to help then she can but you & all the Bms want games.
Good luck

Re: Has any of your mother...

I've been to showers without games... BOR-ING! It definitely gets everyone involved when the bride is opening the gifts! Maybe just tell her mom the basics (time and place), and don't share so much other information since you know the reaction you're gonna get. Just say, 'I want everyone to be surprised!'

Re: Has any of your mother...

I'm one that doesn't really like the games - I made a 'no game' request for my shower. My 2 MOH's did something that was very non-game, but kept the crowd paying attention.

They bought thank you cards - had everyone fill out their name and address on one of the envelopes and put them in a basket. Every few gifts I drew a name and that person won a small prize.

The ladies seemed to love it and lots of people got prizes AND the best part was I got the thank you cards with already addressed envelopes that saved me time!

I was once at a shower that used an egg timer. What ever gift the bride was opening - that gift giver got the prize. Same idea.

Re: Has any of your mother...

I took your advise, After going on round 3 with my friends's mom over the shower I told her it had be best that I didn't tell her all the details of the shower. That I wanted it to be a nice surprises for my friend as well as for her. I think she kinda like the sound of that and just said that she didn't want any strippers or any lame games. the stripper I'll leave it for the bachorllete party .. as for games I'm trying to work around with that. Any suggestions?

Re: Has any of your mother...

jeez....i def know the feeling........are you the only girl in the Bridal party? if not try to incorporate them as well.....financially too! good luck!

Re: Has any of your mother...

there are 5 other bridemaid aside from myself. One who is already helping me a bit with the planning. As for the rest of them they don't seem interested. I'm not exactly close with them and don't want them to feel preasured into helping me plan this shower. My friend's mother offer to speak to them but I have yet to hear from them. As her maid of honor, Everything falls on me I'm stressing it but at the same time it's begingng to be fun now. Especially since many of you have offer great ideas and advise.

Re: Has any of your mother...

Personally, I like showers with games because it makes the time go faster- my favorite is bridal bingo.

Re: Has any of your mother...

i think you have to have games at a shower... who wants to just sit there and watch the bride open gifts for 2 hours??
you can pick some 'not corny' ones.... one that my sis and BMs did at my shower that was a HUGE hit was my sister got lots of quotes and jokes about marriage/love/relationships.... and typed them out on little peices of paper. she wrapped them up somehow, and gave one to each guest before i opened my presents.... so, when i opened a present, the guest who gave it to me had to open up their ' treat', too and read the joke or quote that was inside.... it was a GREAT way to keep people involved and people were laughing and the jokes the whole time i was opening presents.... they also did a video wth my fiance- asking him questions about our relationship and me and videotaping hs answers. at the shower, they played it and it was just sooo funny to see his face while he was trying to remember certain things- it was too cute!!
just keep it laid back and fun... the wedding will be formal enoug, i think that showers should be kind of low-key and relaxed

Re: Has any of your mother...

I like the games, it gives you something to do, and if someone is not into it, they don't have to play.