How To Give A Linen Bridal Shower

CLOTHESLINE INVITATION
Nothing says that this is a linen bridal shower more, than a clothesline invitation. An invitation with designs, like stripes, daisies and a mini clothesline pinned with paper "clothes" on the line, would really be unique. On the inside of the card you could write, "Laundry and Linens Shower for Michelle Myers." On the bottom you can make mention of the wedding registry that the bride is using, a simple statement could be, "Michelle is registered at Linens 'n Things." This will cue your guests that gift ideas for this wedding shower could be: sheets, pillowcases, comforters, duvets, towels, tablecloths, napkins, a wicker hamper etc.

THE SHOWER DECORATIONS
When thinking about laundry and linens, images of bright white, fresh daises and yellow lemons come to mind, all of which can be implemented in the linen bridal shower decorations. Here are some creative ideas on how to make the atmosphere bright and fresh.

1. Hang a clothesline on the wall or over a serving area. Hang paper clothes with clothespins and spell out the bride's and groom's names on the cutouts.

2. Cover the table with a white tablecloth.

3. Serve all of the food on white dishes.

4. Decorate the table and dishes with lemons and freshly cut daisies.

5. Place bouquets of white daisies around the room. If you have or can buy some inexpensive clear vases, you'll definitely want to try filling the bottom with sliced lemons pressed against the sides of the vase before filling it with the flowers. The finished arrangement looks beautiful, I promise you.

6. Wrap the flatware and napkins with a yellow ribbon and daisy, then place the bundles in a small laundry basket on the table.

7. The linen bridal shower favors that you'll be making can be placed in a large laundry basket.

THE ENTERTAINMENT
This linen bridal shower is a great opportunity to play some games, each with a laundry theme. In the first game, the guests knowledge of the couple will be put "on the line," and the second game will test their laundry know-ho. The winner will be awarded with laundry sachets for their linen closets or clothing drawers.

Love On The Line
Prepare questions about the bride and groom's courtship for the guests to answer at the shower. Make paper cutouts of clothes, towels, or other linen shaped objects to write your questions on and hang from a clothesline. Have each guest choose one of the question to read aloud. Each person should then write their answer on a sheet of paper. The person who correctly answers the most questions wins a prize. Here are a few sample questions to get you started:

How did the bride and groom meet?
What did the bride and groom do on their first date?
How did the groom propose?
What does ______ say is the most romantic thing he has ever done for her?
What personality trait does the bride like best about her fiance?
Where will the couple be spending their honeymoon?

Laundry Basket Pricing Game
This is a fun game that is perfect for this linen bridal shower party. Take a basket and fill it with various laundry items. Have each guest guess the total cost of all the items. The person with the best answer wins a prize and the laundry basket with supplies goes to the bride. You could fill the basket with any or all of the following suggested items: laundry detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets, fabric softener, starch spray, bleach, Woolite, spray bottle and borax detergent.

THE BRIDAL SHOWER FAVORS
Fun favors for this linen bridal shower theme would be, small drawstring "laundry bags" filled with candy, soap, or small laundry cleaning items to help both family and friends remember this special event. If finding these mini "laundry bags" becomes a problem for you, simply buy some small velvet or organza jewelry bags in an appropriate color and fill them up with any of the above suggestions.

THE MENU
The menu for this linen bridal shower is as light and refreshing as a Spring breeze through the backyard. Everything about this wedding shower including the food, is meant to be light, fresh and simple. A serve yourself salad bar allows your guests to create a meal to fit their tastes without creating any undue stress or work on you. You can incorporate several platters with fresh chopped vegetables for a "Build-your-own salad"; set several pitchers of ice cold lemonade with floating lemon rings; fresh fruit and Fruit Dip (see recipe below) and No-Bake Lemon cheesecake (see recipe below).

FRUIT DIP RECIPE - Serves 10
1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
1 7-ounce jar marshmallow cream
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

NO-BAKE LEMON CHEESECAKE RECIPE- Serves 8
Filling:
1 cup water
1 small package lemon gelatin
1 large can evaporated milk, chilled
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

Crust:
2 cups finely crushed animal crackers
1/2 butter, melted
2 Tablespoons sugar

Step 1. For the filling, bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add gelatin and mix. Allow this mixture to cool in refrigerator.

Step 2. Using a hand mixer, whip the chilled evaporated milk to a cream-like consistency and add the lemon juice. Whip until stiff peaks form. Fold in the sugar.

Step 3. Place the cream cheese in a separate mixing bowl and add 1 cup of the whipped mixture. Add the remaining whipped mixture and beat until smooth, add in cooled gelatin.

Step 4. Mix crust ingredients and spread 2/3 of the mixture in the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Pour filling on top of crust. Place remaining crust mixture on top of cheesecake. Chill until ready to serve.

Step 5. Garnish with freshly cut lemon slices. Cut the lemon slices to the center and twist to sit on top of each slice of cheesecake.

TOWEL WICKER GIFT BASKET
Some of your guests might prefer to contribute money so that the bride can buy something special she needs for her new home. A cute way to present the bride with this money during the linen bridal shower, would be with a towel gift basket. You can find towels and linens at TurkishTowels.com, Great Gifts for You and Your Loved Ones

MATERIALS
1 wicker basket, with side handles
1 white bath towel
1 white hand towel
1 white washcloth
a yellow gingham ribbon
5 yellow silk daisies, stem trimmed off
straight pins
1 bridal shower gift card

1. Fold each of the towels and place them one on top of the other - bath, hand and washcloth on top.

2. Take the ribbon and tie the bundle of towels together, making a large bow.

3. In the middle of the bow, secure a daisy with a straight pin, then secure the other four flowers around this now, tightly set together like a small bouquet.

4. Fill the card with money and attach it to the side of the towel bundle with the signatures of all those who contributed.

5. Place this bundle inside of the wicker gift basket. Shortly before the shower draws to an end, be sure to give the bride this gift.

This is a fun and very casual linen bridal shower party, that is just as easy to arrange as it is to participate in. The perfect timing for this, would be on a Sunday during the Spring and Summer months. It will give the bride money and a few neat gifts that she will be very thankful to receive, while giving her wonderful memories that she will always remember. I hope you try it and that everyone has a great time!

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