Very soon after the wedding invitations are out, the bride's friends
bestir themselves and a number of entertainments are planned in her honor.
These are dinners, luncheons, teas, and theatre parties, the latter often
prefaced by a dinner at the house of the hostess. Often these include the
bridal party--bridesmaids and "best man." To dinners and theatre parties
the bridegroom-to-be is invited; luncheons and teas are given by the
bride's friends to her. The bridegroom's bachelor friends frequently give
a dinner for him--a farewell to the man so soon to rank as "Benedict, the
married man."
These functions in honor of the bride are exclusive, rather than general,
invitations being restricted to familiar friends. The bride's relatives
are the entertainers. At such functions the bride expectant may wear one
of the gowns of her trousseau. Because of these entertainments, which are
really quite a tax on the girl's strength and vitality, the trousseau
should be complete and the wedding preparations well under way before they
begin. Most of them seem to be crowded into the week or ten days preceding
the ceremony.
Engagement "Showers."--"The shower"--an entertainment that is somewhat on
the order of an informal tea at which each guest brings some gift to the
bride--has been called "provincial." It has a recognized place in middle
class society, at least, and may be made an enjoyable function. No two
"showers" are alike, hostesses vieing with each other in the endeavor to
present something original and attractive. The linen shower is one of the
most popular, each guest bringing some contribution to the bride's linen
chest. These are the more valued if the handiwork of the giver, and some
girls always have a bit of work in progress which may, when finished, be
their offering at a linen shower.
Only intimate friends are asked to a linen shower and the occasion is
entirely informal. The invitations may be couched in this form:
My Dear Miss Ames--
I am giving a linen shower for our mutual friend, Miss Gray, who is to
be married next month, and would be very glad to have you with us. I am
asking a few friends for luncheon on Thursday, January sixth, at one
o'clock, and hope you will be able to come. As the "shower" is to be a
surprise to Miss Gray, please do not mention it should you see her.
Very cordially,
Helen Brown.
The invitation should be promptly answered. Usually, the nature of the
entertainment is not known to the guest of honor until she arrives;
sometimes not until she is seated at the table.
[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 733]
How Presented.--The more unique the method of presentation the more
amusing the surprise of the guest. The gifts are to be neatly wrapped up
in white tissue paper, tied with ribbons, the card of the giver being
enclosed. Often some sentiment is written on the card, or an original
rhyme; this the recipient reads aloud when the gift is unwrapped.
At one long remembered shower, the centerpiece was a white linen parasol,
beautifully embroidered and the gift of the hostess. This, open, was
fastened upright, the block of wood which held it being hidden under
asparagus plumosus interspersed with pink roses. Under this were arranged
the several packages. Between each course the guest of honor was requested
to draw and open a parcel, the remainder being opened before leaving the
table. At another luncheon the gifts were brought in by a boy dressed as a
messenger, one at a time, as if just delivered. The surprise of the guest
at the first delivery greatly amused her friends. One guest contributed a
handsome lunch cloth, another the napkins to match, each marked with
embroidered initials. An embroidered white linen handbag, for use with a
white gown, was enclosed in a box about a foot square; within this was
another, neatly wrapped and tied, which, opened, contained another and
still another, keeping expectancy at its height. The "Jack Horner pie" has
been used, and the "showered" girl has been handed a white satin ribbon
and been bidden to follow where it led her, discovering at the end the
pile of presents.
Gifts for a linen shower may include towels of all kinds, the monogrammed
damask and initialed guest towels, embroidered linen pillow slips;
centerpieces, doilies, bureau scarfs and many other textile gifts suggest
themselves. The "kitchen shower" suggests the useful; the handkerchief
shower is dainty.
Refreshments.--The refreshments at such an entertainment may be as simple
as one likes, unless the invitations are for a luncheon; in that case they
should be more elaborate. Chocolate and sandwiches with cake and ices;
sandwiches, cake and coffee, are allowable. The guests are seated at a
table, which should be decorated with pink and white flowers. Pink
carnations are beautiful for this use. The guest of honor is seated at the
hostess's right hand and is served first. She must thank those who have
presented the gifts individually, and express to her hostess her pleasure
in the entertainment and her gratitude for the trouble she has taken for
her.