What to get the DIY-style bride?

November 29, 2010 2:46 PM

What's a nice but creative bridal party gift for indie, laid-back, baseball-loving Chicago bride?

I'm looking for a gift for a bridal shower this weekend thrown by "aunts" and I will probably only know the bride and one or two other guests. If this was a "friends" shower I might be more inclined to get something sexy but I don't think this is the event for that.

I'm in the bridal party on the groom's side and will be giving a wedding gift as well, obviously. What small thing can I get to bring with me to this shower? They are registered for a few things at chain stores but I think I'd rather get something unique and thoughtful for the bridal shower. A bridal shower gift is traditionally for the bride, right?

Both the bride and groom love the White Sox and drinking beer but the bride is a pretty laid-back theater-lover who would like something unique, artsy/indie from a local shop. To give you an idea of style, she's recommended a lot of dresses on Mod Cloth for my bridesmaid (groomsmaid?) dress. They are not using paper RSVP cards and discouraging wrapping to not be environmentally wasteful—I can think of cute cloth or recycled material options for wrapping.

Special circumstances: The party is this weekend so I'll probably need to buy this in person. Any Chicago-area shops (bonus points for Wicker Park area) or online shops that you recommend? Specific things that would make good bridal shower gifts that I can work from?

posted by Bunglegirl to Shopping (6 answers total)

There's a sweet little card shop called Anjenu in the Ukrainian Village. It's been a couple years since I've been there, but they used to have photo greeting cards by local photographers--I vaguely recall seeing some with shots of Wrigley. I have no idea if they still have any like that (or if they have any that are Sox related), but a gift set of locally made Chicago-centric cards would be really cool. I'd think they're really cool, at least. There's also an adorable little (wiener?) dog there named (if I remember correctly) Chocolate, who's a total sweetheart. So definitely stop by.
posted by phunniemee at 2:55 PM on November 29, 2010

Etsy has a lot of White Sox items, and it seems that most of the people making these things are in the Chicago area. I'm sure if you find something you like you can arrange to pick it up from the seller.

If you want something traditional for their house you could go for the towel set, or get a nice picture of the field framed. There were a few styles of Bridal Garters there if you want something like that.
posted by TooFewShoes at 3:07 PM on November 29, 2010

If you can get to the south loop during the day, there's a shop inside the Columbia College building at 623 S. Wabash that has lots of handmade cool stuff. Everything there is made by a student or someone who has graduated in the last three years. It's like a teensy Etsy. I've found lots of fun gifts there.

It's called ShopColumbia. I'm on my phone, so no link, but if you google it you can find their hours. I'm pretty sure the hours are extended this time of year for the holidays.
posted by sugarfish at 3:13 PM on November 29, 2010

Response by poster: I could probably pop down to the Renegade Handmade shop although I'm not sure if I'll find an appropriate gift. I love Paper Doll for cards, which is a bit closer to me than Anjenu. I like options though.

I've never heard of the Columbia shop, I'll have to check it out when I'm in the loop later this week. I like the ideas so far, I'm just trying to balance the idea of something for her and something for the house (they've lived together for a few years).
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:30 PM on November 29, 2010

A bespoke baseball?
posted by analog at 5:39 PM on November 29, 2010

Best answer: The Spice House in Old Town sells a "Spicy Wedding" gift box and a larger deluxe wedding box as well. Their spices are amazing and the box contains some fun wedding charms as well (sound nutmeg for a sound marriage, rosemary for remembrance, etc.). If they don't cook the gift might not be as appropriate, but I've given it as a shower gift before and as far as I know it was well received. Easy bus ride down North Ave or Division from Wicker Park.
posted by awegz at 6:50 PM on November 29, 2010