DEAR READERS: On May 18, I printed a letter from a young woman who had been invited to a friend's lingerie shower. "Bringing a Blender in Montana" was uncomfortable with the idea of purchasing intimate apparel for the bride-to-be, so I suggested she bring a "high-necked flannel nightgown." When I asked you readers to offer other gift suggestions, you responded with an avalanche of terrific responses. Thanks to all for your clever suggestions. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: One of the most unique bridal shower gifts I received was a set of pillowcases. Both cases had one side that read "YES" in big red letters. The reverse side of the bride's case said, "Not tonight, I have a headache." The other side of the groom's case read, "I have the aspirin." -- PILLOW TALK 26 YEARS LATER
DEAR ABBY: "Bringing" could give her friend a set of cooking spices to "keep the spice in their marriage." The card should read: "Let your fantasies go wild when you have the 'thyme'!" -- SPICE GIRL IN STOCKTON, CALIF.
DEAR ABBY: For my granddaughter's lingerie shower, I gave her a generous check, a pair of men's dress socks and a note saying the socks were to replace the ones she'd knock off him when he saw her in one of her beautiful nightgowns. It elicited many chuckles from the guests.� -- STILL KNOCKIN' HIS SOCKS OFF
DEAR ABBY: I was given a gift basket, which included body lotion, bath salts, candles, chocolates and a romantic DVD. I enjoyed the gift basket more than the lingerie. -- JUDY IN RAWLINS, WYO.
DEAR ABBY: We had a "useful utensil party" for my future sister-in-law. I gave her a nutcracker. -- DEBBIE IN ALBION, CALIF.
DEAR ABBY: When I attended my granddaughter's bridal shower, I wrapped some fig leaves with her gift and joked about her wearing them in case her closet ran short. She responded with, "Gramma!" It surprised her, but it brought a lot of laughs. -- GRAMMA ON THE WEST COAST
DEAR ABBY: Lovely camisoles or slips, special mesh bags for washing fine items, scented lingerie detergent or pretty new slippers are all acceptable and appreciated gifts for starting married life. -- DIANNE IN CARLISLE, PA.
DEAR ABBY: As a gag gift, she could give them a bottle of aspirin and some good reading material ... -- BEEN THERE IN ILLINOIS
DEAR ABBY: Four silk scarves, a leather whip and a can of whipped cream. This is all done in fun! -- HAVING A GOOD TIME IN THE EAST
DEAR ABBY: My dad said it didn't matter what my sister wore on her wedding night. She could wear a burlap sack and her husband would be happy. One of my aunts took his idea and made a burlap sack "nightie," complete with lace at the neckline and hem. My sister, who has a wonderful sense of humor, wore it on her wedding night. I'm sure it provided a good laugh and a fun way to end their wedding day. -- HER BIG SISTER
DEAR ABBY: Packaged in a beautifully wrapped, fairly large box was one lace-and-ribbon bow with a note saying, "Wear only this on your wedding night." -- WITH LOVE FROM GRANDMA
DEAR ABBY: My in-laws were married in 1940. She was 17; he was 19. For her shower, my mother-in-law received a beautiful full-length nightgown with fur trim around the bottom added by the giver. The card read: "To keep your neck warm." -- IRENE IN ELIDA, OHIO