As the groom, should I buy my fiancee a Bridal Shower gift?
In short, no. Generally, you are responsible for giving your fiancee only two gifts: an engagement gift (traditionally, a ring) and a wedding gift (traditionally jewelry such as earrings or a necklace that she will wear on your wedding day). Extra gifts would most likely be appreciated, but should not be given in the context of a shower. Traditionally, bridal showers are women-only affairs that provide an opportunity for close friends and family members to “shower” the bride in gifts she will use as a new wife (i.e., cookware, recipes, lingerie, home decor, etc.). As a male, you would not be present at this traditional type of shower and would definitely not be expected to give a gift. Couples showers (or “mixed showers”) are gaining in popularity, but in this case, the guests would generally bring gifts for the two of you as a couple. It would be odd for you to buy a shower gift for you and your fiancee. In either case, you are usually expected to benefit from the gifts your fiancee r
I’ve never heard of that, although you should make sure that any/all of your female relatives are invited to at least one of the showers, and that your side of the family is well-represented with nice gifts at these showers, even if that means you need to pitch in behind the scenes to fund the gift from mom, aunt, and/or sister. While you don’t want to get all competitive between the sides of the family, keeping in mind that the bride’s immediate family has so much more of the burden for the traditional wedding, you certainly don’t want your side of the family to look chinchy or miserly at the showers compared to the bride’s family. If you are doing a couple’s bridal shower, it might be fun to get each other token novelty gifts and present them to each other at that.
If you aren’t going to be at the Bridal Shower because you aren’t invited (and the men usually aren’t), then you shouldn’t and aren’t required to buy a gift for it. Traditionally, one doesn’t buy a gift for someone concerning an event unless they are invited to it. It is out of place and considered tacky.
