Afternoon Tea

• For a more formal shower, host an afternoon tea. In the invitations, ask each guest to bring her favorite tea cup to use. A tea party menu should offer a light lunch and lots of sweet treats. Menu ideas include a variety of small sandwiches such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon and cream cheese, pate and egg salad on crustless bread cut into triangles; fruit salad; scones served with butter, lemon curd and jam; a variety of cookies such as sugar cookies, vanilla wafers and iced lemon squares; and chocolate-covered strawberries. In addition to hot tea, serve iced tea or lemonade.
  
  

Brunch

• A brunch is normally served in the late morning, so is a good choice for an early shower. The menu normally consists of a selection of breakfast and light lunch items including bagels with toppings such as jam, cream cheese and smoked salmon; chicken or seafood salad; cantaloupe and honeydew wedges; croissants; and muffins. Sometimes hot dishes like scrambled eggs or a pasta dish are offered. Serve tea, coffee and orange and grapefruit juices. A sparkling beverage made with pink grapefruit or orange juice mixed with club soda can be served in fluted champagne glasses.
  
  

Sit-Down Lunch

• For a more formal shower, consider having a sit-down luncheon where guests are served at the tables. If you hold the shower in a rented hall instead of in a restaurant, have the meal catered and hire wait staff to set up and serve the guests. You can start off with a Caesar or mixed green salad with a roll on the side and then offer a main course. Entree suggestions include lasagna, grilled salmon with rice pilaf or individual chicken pot pies; you might offer several selections and let the guests choose. Serve coffee or tea after the meal with the cake.
  
  

Potluck Ideas

• If holding a bridal shower in your home, consider a potluck luncheon. This works best when you're having a lot of guests so that there will be a variety of foods and enough for everyone; it's not the best choice for a small get-together.
  
  Place an insert into the invitations explaining to the guests what they should bring for the luncheon. Divide the guests by the first letter of their last names and assign dishes accordingly: those with names beginning with A-I bring a salad or appetizer; those with names beginning with J-Q are assigned a main dish; and those with names beginning with R-Z bring a dessert. You may have to make a few adjustments to make sure all categories are adequately covered.
  
  

Cake

• Make or buy a cake that incorporates the bride-to-be's wedding colors or flowers. Even if you are offering other desserts, a shower cake is traditional and is often decorated with a message of well wishes. If the shower is not a surprise, get input from the guest of honor as to what kind of cake she would like. The cake can be served immediately following the luncheon or after the gifts are opened.