Show of presents

[BlueThursday]

A memory from when I was younger suddenly came back to me this morning.

I remember when my cousin was getting married the female family and friends were invited to her mums house to basically look at the wedding gifts.

I’ve only done it this once so I’m thinking it’s an old fashioned thing. Could it be uniquely Scottish or just uniquely my family 🤣

Did anyone else have this or go to one?

[AuntMargo]

we got married in the 80's and we had wedding presents displayed on table at the reception

[AffIt]

West of Scotland here too and remember going to these with my mum, when growing up in the 80s/90s.

Haven't heard of one for years (and certainly none of my peer group did it).

There was also a certain superstition about buying presents for babies that 'weren't on the ground yet' which I think about when I see MN threads about baby showers.

[hopeishere]

They had them in Northern Ireland. My mum called them "At Homes" so you would say the bride to be will be at home on day / time meaning that was when you could call.

[felulageller]

I remember going to one of these in 1990. In the bride's mums house. Lots of crockery etc!

They of course later divorced.

[Kite22]

I'm English, and remember this being a thing.

[2bazookas]

I've only seen it once; West of Scotland 1980s. The bride had very wealthy parents, the display was in their huge house at the reception after the wedding.
Everything came from their Wedding List at a very expensive store in Glasgow. It included stuff like dishwasher and washing machine ( designated top brand and model ) and the whole lot was displayed with the cards from the donors. The only surprise was they didn't include the price tags.

[Pieceofpurplesky]

Yep, happened here, NW. remember going to my aunty's house to see the boring tableware gifts. That would have been 1984

[alongtimeagoandfaraway]

We were just taking about this today as our daughter is getting married tomorrow. Her father is Scottish and it was very much a thing there when we got married. Our wedding was in England so we didn’t do it but I think my mother in law took delivery of a lot of gifts on our behalf.

Current wedding - show of gifts definitely not happening!

[PutinIsAWarCriminal]

I did this in the 90s at my MIL's sort of expectation (Northern Midlands family). I hadn't seen it before and felt a bit awkward about it, but obliged and invited mine and my dh's immediate families for drinks. We laid the gifts out on the kitchen table for "inspection" 🤣.

[EthelbertaChickerel]

I was at a spree in Fife in 1996 - a full party with food and a band, as well as the presents!

I've never come across them before or since, but it was great fun.

[EddieVeddersfoxymop]

Yup, north east Scotland here, married 1990s and we had one

[RJnomore1]

I remember, west of Scotland. I loved them when I was small. Wish folk still did them instead of ridiculous hen indulgences tbh.

[chipsandpeas]

i remember going to a show of presents in the 80s, central scotland think it was the brides mothers house, strangely it was the only one i remember going to but i was a kid prob about 5 and my mum took me so maybe she went to others and never took me

[Brogues]

NE England I’m sure it was a thing when I was a kid.

[Jenje]

I'm from the United States and we did the same thing when I got married in 1990. Also had a going away outfit.

[MrsMoastyToasty]

I remember brides having a "going away" outfit that they changed into- a nice dress or skirt and jacket- for when they left the wedding reception, usually before any of their guests and while the festivities were still going on. This would have been in 1970s England.

[Snappyteabread]

Yes! I remember going to quite a few of them with my Granny for the young girls she knew. West of Scotland. Such a random thing looking at toasters and salad bowls, all laid out to admire. I remember it felt very grown up to be with all these ladies! I can't remember if men went too or if it was solely the ladies domain.

[maddy68]

I had forgotten that. But yes they did!

[exnewwifeproblems]

Northern Irish. It was definitely a thing here.

[newtb]

NW England in the 60/70s it was also a thing to do.

I had a very well off friend and when her elder sister got married her trousseau (honeymoon clothes) took up the wall to wall wardrobe in the spare room - about 12ft long. Think she called it off just before the banns were called.

[NanaNelly]

East Coast of Scotland here and the showing of presents was a big part of getting married. It was your first time as a hostess in your own right and your new home would be rammed with your female and relatives. I loved it and it wasn’t dissimilar to my daughters Maher being brought to her when she was getting married albeit not in Scotland.

[PeekabooAtTheZoo]

Ah yes many years ago in the 90s I went to a Scottish wedding that did this. As a child it seemed normal, like showing your granny what you got for Christmas.
The last Scottish wedding, in 2009, did not.

[Johnnysgirl]

It sounds a nice thing to do.

[traintraveller]

I grew up in west coast Scotland and remember my mum going to these when I was wee so probably early 80s, usually on a week night. I havent heard of anyone having one in years.

[BirdWatch]

I went to a wedding where gifts were displayed along a long table. The bride was Scottish.