The Citizen, 1987-02-04, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1987. PAGE 19.
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His 'n' hers
showers give
modern twist
Even in these modern times,
sexual inequality thrives when it
comestothewedding. Not true,
you say?
Well, think about the bridal
shower. Today the average shower
is a party for the bride with
mothers, sisters, aunts, grand
mothers and girlfriends in atten
dance. And the gifts? Things to
help the new wife take care of the
house.
Where does that leave the
bridegroom? To fend for himself,
no doubt. Noone thinks to give him
the implements he’ll need to carry
out his share of the household
chores.
While the bride spends the first
weeks of her marriage cheerfully
trying out cookbooks and utensils,
her husband is scouring the stores
for tools, nails, lawnmowers and
rakes. Before he can begin sharing
the work, he has to find and buy.
What’s the solution to this
modern-day shower inequality?
The wedding shower for couples.
Honoring the couple instead of
just the bride, this celebration not
only helps the groom get comfort
able in his new home sooner, but
also makes a lot of sense.
Shower invitations should alert
guests on this twist on tradition by
simply stating the event is in
celebration of Sue and John.
Instead of assigning each guest a
category like kitchen or bath items
from which to choose a gift, you
might advise them to buy with the
wife, the husband or both newly
weds in mind to ensure that the
groom gets his share of the fun.
One household responsibility
that’s still generally thought of as
the man’s domain is tending bar,
so gifts to help him “stock up’’
would be well appreciated. A wine
rack is sure to please most grooms,
particularly if it comes complete
with a bottle of his favorite vintage.
An ice bucket or blender will win
favor as a bar basic, while a variety
of liqueurs can add a note of
sophistication.
For the more humdrum side of
domesticity, consider garden
equipment or a tool kit. Even an
apartment dweller needs a hamm
er, pliers, and screwdriver, and for
the first-time homeowner, these
basics are absolute essentials.
An outdoor barbecue is one way
to encourage a reluctant chef to
take on some of the cooking duties.
And if the groom is a gourmet,
“A tradition in Huron County since 1902"
ALBERT ST., CLINTON 482-9727
Remember - When You
Buy Bartliff’s, You
Buy the Best!
From Bartliff’s Bakery
in Clinton
Let our specialists create
a beautiful cake for
your wedding.
We also specialize in
Birthday Cakes,
Anniversary Cakes, Pies,
Petit fours, & Cookies. r J
you’re safe with anything from a
pasta maker to a spice rack.
Ifyou’re not sure how the new
couple intends to divide house
work, simply give gifts they both
will use. A collection of record
albums is a thoughtful choice,
particularly if you can include the
song they’ve chosen for the first
dance at their wedding reception.
A year’s cable television subscrip
tion is an unusual gift they both can
enjoy, even if she’s an old movie
buff and he’s a devoted sports fan -
or vice-versa.
If guests are at all concerned
about the bride sharing her shower
with the groom, justask them to
imagine how she’ll feel when he
says, “honey, come look at the
shelf I put up today for our new
china.”
Attendants pay their
own costs at wedding
Attendants at a wedding may
learn the lessonof the bride and
groom: weddings can be an
expensive celebration.
There are some time-tested,
etiquette entrenched expenses
' that bridesmaids and ushers must
accept gracefully: they have been
honored with special responsibili
ties in the union of the bride and
groom, and these honors carry with
them special costs.
Bridesmaids pay for their own
bridesmaids dresses, shoes,
gloves and other accessories, their
own transportation to and from the
city or town where the wedding
takes place, an individual gift to the
couple, a shower or luncheon for
the bride, and sometimes a
contribution to a gift from all
bridesmaids to the bride.
The ushers pay for the rental of
their wedding attire, transporta
tion to and from the wedding
location, an individual gift to the
couple, sometimes a contribution
to a gift from all ushers to the
groom, and a bachelor dinner, if
given, for the groom.
Country
Weddings
at Receptions
BENMILLER inn
Set in the beautiful Maitland River Valley
We carry much more them linens!
Unique gifts in every price range.
Showers, Weddings
or Attendants!
Come out and take
a look for
yourself
Woollen Mill, Garden Patio
•We can help you plan a wedding reception
for up to 90 people
•Your wedding guests can be accommoaat-
ed overnight at The Inn
•Spend your wedding night at the Benmiiier
Inn and it’s sure to be a night to remember
13 Market Place
STRATFORD
Stratford
Behind City Hall
around the corner from Avon Theatre
•Entertain your wedding rehearsal party at
the Inn
Come out and have
a look around
For further information contact
Benmiiier Inn
R.R.4, Goderich
Ontario N7A3Y1
519-524-2191