In recent years, there's been a trend to host showers including men and women, to honor both the bride and the groom. Beverly Clark, in her book, Showers offers numerous suggestions for a co-ed wedding shower. If this type of shower appeals to you, this article will list numerous suggestions to host a great party. Also it's a good idea to coordinate the event with the best man or maid of honor.

Food and Drinks

An outdoor barbecue is something that would appeal to both men and women. Hot dogs, hamburgers, beef brisket, potato salad, cole slaw, and baked beans are the usual dishes served at a barbecue. For dessert, why not have banana pudding rather than a cake or pie? Also be sure to have plenty of tea, lemonade, wine, and beer on hand.

This type of wedding shower will obviously be a rather large party, and I see nothing wrong with the hosts asking the guests to help provide food for everybody. Each person can bring a dish, rather like a potluck dinner.

Shower Themes

1) Honeymoon Shower. Find out where the bride and groom plan to take their honeymoon and plan your co-ed party with that destination in mind. You can have decorations significant to that country or state, such as a flag, pictures, etc. You could serve ethnic food and play ethnic music. Have your guests bring gifts that will help the couple on their honeymoon, such as luggage, a camera, film, guidebooks, foreign language book, travel grooming kit, first aid kit, foreign currency traveler's checks, and perhaps several people could pitch in and buy a video camera for the bride and groom.

2) Entertaining Shower. This type of shower is geared towards giving the couple items they will need to entertain others in their home. If you are planning a barbecue, how about asking guest to pitch in and buy the couple their own barbecue grill? Other guests could bring tools and utensils necessary for a barbecue. Other gift ideas include bar glasses, wine glasses, wine rack, decanters, electric warming tray, fondue pot, serving trays, ice bucket with tongs, relish dishes, bottle corkscrew, cocktail pitcher, and chips and dip set.

3) Hobby Shower. This is another good theme for a co-ed shower and also for a second-time bride or groom, who already have their home(s) well-stocked with the essentials. Find out what hobbies the bride and groom enjoy and have guests bring gifts specific to those hobbies. A few examples for the groom include fishing rod and tackle, golfing equipment, bowling essentials, tickets to a sports event, etc. Ideas for the bride include scrapbooking supplies, sewing items, gardening accessories, and tickets to a play or concert. If the bride and groom have hobbies in common, such as biking, canoeing, hiking, or skiing, ask your guests to bring gifts that reflect these shared interests.

Whichever theme you choose for your shower, including the groom in the festivites is a wonderful way to celebrate the couple.