• Although many successful bridal showers are simply visiting and gifting sessions for the women who love the bride, a shower can be made more fun with a few structured games or activities. Alphabet games can make good party activities, having a simple structure and not encouraging overly heated competition.
  
  

Alphabet Soup

• Give each person in attendance a sheet of paper with the alphabet written down the left side. Within a set time limit (two or three minutes is usually enough), contestants write down a marriage-related word for each letter of the alphabet. Once time is up, have contestants compare their lists, crossing off entries that other players also wrote down. Score one point for each unique entry. The winner is the contestant or team with the most points scored.
  
  

Follow-Up

• After playing a game of alphabet soup, gather the group in a comfortable sitting room. For each entry (or each unique entry) have somebody tell a marriage-related story. This is a good opportunity to hear touching, funny or important tales from the families of those who love the bride.
  
  

ABCs of Advice

• Before the party, assemble a scrapbook or journal. Write each letter of the alphabet, big and fancy (think the first letter on the page of an illuminated manuscript) on its own page. Have guests write sentences of advice beginning with the letter on each page.