Display Shower: What Is It & Why Introverts Live For Them

There are several fun activities that happen leading up to a wedding. Aside from the notorious bach party, there's also the bridal shower. This can be a fun, eventful and heartfelt celebration for the person getting married and her loved ones. It's a chance for the wed-to-be to feel celebrated, loved and cared for before starting a new chapter.

Gifts are a major part of this pre-wedding festivity. It's a common tradition to open gifts in front of guests, but that's not something everyone enjoys. That said, traditions are often broken and the rules rewritten, which is why display showers are trending. Introverted individuals may especially embrace the idea of a display shower.

If you're in the process of planning a display shower, we've got all the info you need. Feyikemi Kukoyi, a Creative Director and CEO of FTK~Konnect Events shares the ins and outs of display showers including how to let your guests know you're having one and how to set the gifts up.

In this article:

• What Is a Display Shower?
• How Do You Explain a Display Shower on an Invitation?
• How to Display Gifts at an Unwrapped Shower
• What to Do At a Display Shower

What Is a Display Shower?

Display showers are just another type of bridal shower. The main difference between a display shower and a typical bridal shower is in how the gifts from guests are presented.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

"Instead of wrapping the gifts, they are displayed for everyone to see, making the presentation part of the event's aesthetics or decor," says Kukoyi.

There are multiple benefits of a display shower such as not having to open each gift in front of guests, which can be daunting or straight-up cringey for introverts. It's also a way to save time as opening them one after the other can be a drag. Finally, display showers are an environmentally-friendly way to have a bridal shower as you don't have the waste that comes from wrapping paper, adds Kukoyi.

How Do You Explain a Display Shower on an Invitation?

For a display shower to work, you'll need to let guests know ahead of time—not only is this good etiquette, it ensures everyone understands the instructions. If they don't get the memo, they could show up with wrapped gifts, which is not ideally what you want.

So that people know what to do, add wording to your bridal shower invitationthat describes what they should do with gifts. Some display shower wording to try includes:

• "Thank you for being thoughtful enough to bring a gift. Since all the gifts brought by fabulous guests will be on display, you can ditch the wrapping paper and stick to a bow or tag."
• "This will be a display shower, which means you don't need any wrapping paper this time around. A tag, ribbon and your presence is more than enough!"
• "To save time, we're doing things the non-traditional way by having a display shower. Please bring your thoughtful gifts tagged and unwrapped."

You can personalize your message however you want and infuse humor to make it fun if you like. The memo can go into digital invitations, on a website if you have one for wedding communications, or in Whatsapp groups if you have one for your shower participants.

How to Display Gifts at an Unwrapped Shower

A fun element of display showers can be presenting the gifts. It's a chance for the event decorator to incorporate gifts into the event decorations or theme and it's as simple as placing gifts on a decorated table.

You may also decide to do a gift station–a section dedicated to gifts, says Kukoyi.

"Decorate the gift station with tablecloths, banners or flowers that match the wedding theme or the couple's preferences. Make it visually appealing and inviting," she says.

What to Do At a Display Shower

Aside from how gifts are displayed, there isn't much of a difference between a display shower and a traditional bridal shower. So in terms of what to do, activities can span from having refreshment breaks to playing games and sharing sentimental words. It's all about the type of experience you want to have and how you want to keep guests entertained.

Refreshment Break

A refreshment break is one activity you can incorporate into your display shower, says Kukoyi.

"Incorporate a refreshment or light meal break, depending on the time of day" she says. "This allows guests to enjoy some food and beverages while socializing with each other and the couple."

Refreshments can be separate from the main meal you provide if that's in the pipeline. If you have a dedicated shower cake or desserts to share with guests, the refreshment break may be a good time to bring them out. Some light food ideas to consider include fresh ceviche, popcorn and salmon bites. These can especially be good food ideas if you're having a brunch-style shower.

Games

Are you even having a bridal shower if you don't play silly games? Adding them to your display shower can help bring fun and light-hearted energy to the event and break the ice if guests are stiff. Common games to include are paper bride, the ring game, or pin the veil. Don't forget the bridal shower game prizes for guests to encourage participation and healthy competition.

Open Mic

Having an open mic at your bridal shower is another fun idea, says Kukoyi. Having an open mic at your display shower could serve multiple purposes like giving guests the opportunity to give words of advice or well-wishes to the celebrant.

Depending on the type of event you're going for, you could even use the mic for a karaoke segment. You could do wedding-style karaoke so it aligns with the theme.