The Nest

The present hunt

Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007 6:21 PM

Last night I went in search of the elusive hostess gift. I thought the task would be simple: purchase some token of appreciation for the six women (my aunt, my father's girlfriend, two bridesmaids and their mothers) who are throwing me my very first bridal shower (the first of three).

As I told the woman at Papyrus (where I bought one of the three items each woman will receive) planning the wedding itself was easier than this. I couldn't buy candles because of various allergies; and because one of the women owns a spa, that stuff was out.

I was about to give up and call for reinforcements (my maid of honor), when I walked into a store and found the perfect gift (which I'll mention in my afterparty replay because I don't want the surprise ruined).

I debated back and forth which route to take: get them all the same thing, or get them all something different. In the end I went somewhere in the middle: two of the items will be the same, one is slightly different.

Adam came with me to the mall, saint that he is, and I actually had to encourage him to go to Sharper Image and the game store after he felt the need to comment on every item I picked out. I put my hand on his chest, looked into his eyes and told him I'd meet him at 8:30 near The Cheesecake Factory. He stood outside the store for a few minutes with a hurt "puppy dog" expression on his face – until I walked out of the store, kissed him and told him it was for the best.

Ladies, as much as you might want to involve your groom in every single aspect of the wedding, some things are better left to one person.

Of course if Adam had stayed around he would have witnessed a bride, a groom and the bride's mother come into the store trying to pick out invitations. I felt so bad for the groom when I heard one of the women tell the other: "You said you weren't going to start with that." I left the store soon after. I hoped everyone made it out OK.

In July I get to select gifts for four different women … and my MOH's number is on speed-dial.