Shower invites - how to say no Gifts?

I would call it a brunch instead of a shower. Whenever I see 'shower', I automatically think I need to bring a gift. 'Brunch' is more casual and doesn't strike as something I'd have to bring a gift to! If invites are being sent for this event, you could just request that they leave the registry information off of the invite. I will say though, no matter what you do, there's going to be someone that brings a gift. I'm from the south, and there's always that one person that cannot go to a function without a gift lol.

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I agree with this 100%. If people want to give you a gift, they will do it regardless.

Thirding the advice to call the event something else other than "shower". I understand how you feel about receiving gifts; I didn't have a shower mostly for that reason.

Agree with everyone else. A shower is a gift-giving event. Call it something different. Engagement party or brunch.

View Quoted Comment Definitely not an engagement party, LOL. We got engaged almost two years ago. I'll talk to her about calling it a brunch instead. I'm fine with a couple people bringing something, I just don't want them to clean out the registry before the big day since that will cause problems for the other guests.

This is a tough situation because in my experience, people prefer to bring gifts to the shower and give money for the wedding. If you don’t want the gifts to be the main part of the event, I’ve seen people do display showers where people don’t wrap their gifts and they are available to view on the gift table. Therefore the bride isn’t sitting there awkwardly opening gifts if she is uncomfortable. It also gives you more time with your guests. I personally would feel bad calling it a brunch if your FH’s Aunt has her heart set on throwing you a shower. You could always voice your concerns to her and ask if she’s okay calling it a brunch. The most difficult part is by calling it a shower, people will bring gifts against the bride’s wishes, even if she directly tells them not to.

View Quoted Comment Usually the registry is for the shower. Most guests gift cash for the actual wedding.

A shower is for physical gifts from the registry. You can’t say no gifts. Call it a luncheon instead.