As a woman in her mid-20s it is guaranteed I will attend at least one wedding or baby shower a month throughout the summer.
The more I climb into the 20s the more of my friends, co-workers and family members are getting married. Off the top of my head, so far I have been to five showers this summer and I have three weddings to attend in the next month - two of which I am a bridesmaid.
At every shower you receive a token of the bride or mother-to-be's appreciation. Some of the common ones are a picture frame of the couple, mints in a princess slipper, or cookies in a cute trinket box.
I'm a fan of the edible treats since I'm usually starving when I arrive, and dinner is most likely going to be another hour. I'm even OK with the picture frames because even if I'm not close with the bride and groom, I can replace the picture.
But there are others that are so useless that I'd rather the host just leave me a thank you note on my plate than give me their favor.
Such as little silver bells, which are typically used to make the bride and groom kiss, but what the hell am I going to do with a half-an-inch bell afterward?
Or how about when you're given a single tea light? Most of the time the candle is a pretty color that matches the bridesmaid dresses, but it is still just one candle. People need a pair to display them cutely on a shelf.
I understand that the bride or mother-to-be has other things to worry about, which is why I'm not suggesting the favors be made from scratch or be expensive - just useful.
Like the favor at the baby shower I attended this weekend for my co-worker's wife. (The couple will remain nameless until they officially announce in the paper their pregnancy.)
First off, the shower was simple, pretty and more importantly had great food. And the favor in everyone's table spot was a kitchen timer shaped as a teapot. A useful gift.
Everyone needs a kitchen timer. Even if you have one on your oven, a second is always useful for when you are cooking multiple dishes or if you need a timer for another household duty and the stove one is being used for cooking.
And it looks so cute.
So thank you anonymous couple for the lovely, thoughtful gift. You've given me hope for the next half-a-dozen weddings I'll be invited to in the next year.
For those brides or mothers-to-be on the hunt for a handy gift, I was able to find this timer online here.
But if I'm on your invite list, please don't get the timer. Three timers in my kitchen might be a little much.
Mallory Medved is an assistant managing editor of weekly publications for
the Sun-Times News Group. She helps cover the Lincoln-Way area and towns
southwest of Joliet. Being naturally nosy has led her to a career in
journalism and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to read. Being a new
homeowner and a future bride, she's also perpetually broke, but enjoys
hearing about other people in the same situation. She lives in Plainfield
but is a native of New Lenox.
Christina Chapman is a Will County resident who desperately wants to live in Grundy County. But since she lost that battle with her boyfriend when they bought a house, she makes due covering Grundy County news for The Herald News in Joliet. When not covering municipal meetings, school events and finding the truth behind the latest coffee talk, she is trying to balance life as a young home owner who is fighting the stereotype that she is living in sin because she is not yet married. She hopes to share with you her perspective on life and the news in hopes that you’ll share yours.
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