I would like to give my future sister-in-law a bridal shower. She and my brother are getting married in Hawaii while on leave from Iraq in February. Just a civil ceremony to help get the paperwork started and a more traditional wedding when they return in September 2009. Anyway...they met while at their duty station in Alaska. I am VERY close to my brother but have never met her. They have NOTHING for a household when they return. Does anyone have any ideas on how to give a bridal shower for an "absent" bride? I need themes, and how to involve the bride as much as possible from registering to possibly videotaping the shower to send to her.

Webcams!! Get one, and send her one and she can be "there" live, plus the webcam will come in excellent use for her future hubby (if you're feeling really generous you can give both to them so that he can take one with him whenever he deploys).

I would do a gift card "shower" just because shipping stuff would be really expensive. If you go that route then I would maybe just videotape a greeting from each person and send it and the giftcards to her. If you want to do actual presents, then personally I would send them on ahead, then at a pre-set date and time, and have everybody gathered together at your house or wherever with the webcam on and she can open the presents for all to see.

Oh, and if they're starting from scratch, I wouldn't go the theme route. Might as well help them get the best bang for their buck/ get as much as they can of what they need, which a theme would avoid. What you can do though, is on top of a gift have everybody bring a recipe, some household tip, advice, etc. that you can compile together and mail to her. That makes it more fun & personalized.

For themes have it for a bedroom, a kitchen, nothing more than that especially if they are starting from scratch. They might have a certain pattern that they like or a motife they want and unless you know what it is it can be very difficult.

Gift cards are definitely a plus, or even just cold hard cash helps. For the exchange or Sears or Kmart. Target it just opening up there in Hawaii. Exchanges can be cheaper to buy things at though. Things that you can pack easily if you want to buy the gifts like placemats, towels, cutlery, kitchen aide (definitely want to get that - I love my ka mixer and blender!), sheets, comforters, curtains, bath mats.

But don't forget the guys on this, they need things like tools, car stuff, etc...

You can always have a lingere party as well

Have everyone bring a recipe from their kitchen and make a nice recipe book for them.

If you know when they will be there then have it set up at a certain time and hook up web cams like thea said. If you are going to have it for them and then ship the stuff later, you can do it where each person brings a gift and then unwraps it for them. To be sent later on. Or do it where you film each person giving a greeting and stating what the present will be when they arrive.

Have you talked to her family about this? Are they doing one as well? See if you can do a big one when they come in September for the wedding.

I would think the best bang for their buck, if going the gift card route, would be to get them either a Visa gift card or an AmEx gift card. Then they can shop where they want without restrictions.

Gift cards would be the way to go. I think you are right about the webcams and I really LOVE the idea about the recipes and household tips.Hoping I can get this together asap. I had thought about having a wrapping party and tape the gift before it gets wrapped, that way they know what they are getting and have the enjoyment of opening presents when we finally get to meet. What do you think? Also any ideas on helping them register? They are both in Iraq and my brother has very little time. The gift card thing is really sounding easier.

Get a binder and put the recipe cards in there. Also look and see if the bookstores have cook books on sale.

They can register online with a place like Sears, Target, WalMart and choose what they want. This way they can take their time. Have them make a list of things they believe they will need or even things that they have already and don't need. He can create a list of things he needs like tools, car stuff, etc..himself and then you can fill out the information for him. What you can offer to do is if they get a list you go to Sears and do it all for them, scan it, that way they know but you do it (and have fun).