Shower Games

Preparation Time:  Varies

Duration:  15 Minutes

Ingredients needed: Purchased Time Capsule, various dated items

This isn't a game, but it is a wonderful activity that can really mean something.  A time capsule is purchased or made for the Guest of Honor, then the guests bring items to place in it.  The Time Capsule is sealed, to be opened a number of years later.

Preparation

Prepackaged time capsules used to be everywhere, but are a bit harder to find now.  You can check in card shops or party stores, or online if you have enough time.  Otherwise, find a large tin or box that's decorated appropriately.

In the invitations, tell the guests what you plan on doing, and ask them to bring something that will symbolize the year for them or for the Guest of Honor.  Give a few examples - like a menu from a local restaurant or a picture of a special event.

At the shower, present the Time Capsule to the Guest of Honor, then have each guest present their item and have them explain why its appropriate.  As they are explained, each item is placed in the capsule.

Helpful Stuff

If you purchase a Time Capsule from a store, be sure to open it up and look inside.  Often there are ideas for things to include or books to fill out.  Some will even provide you with a list of historical events for the day in question if you send in a card.  I left this for my Guest of Honor to do, but if you know they aren't going to ever send the card, go ahead and send it in!

If this is a Baby Shower, you will probably want to give her a First Year capsule, which she'll fill, then seal on the baby's first birthday.  Besides the items from the shower, the Mommy-to-Be can include pictures or the id bands from the hospital, pictures of some "firsts," letters to the new baby, etc.

If this is a Wedding Shower, you can either do a Wedding Day capsule, which the couple seals after they return from their honeymoon, or a First Year capsule, sealed on their first anniversary.

Don't forget to put something in yourself - perhaps the shower invitation?

Fun Stuff

Remember that the items don't have to be something important or even made of paper.  One of the items placed in a baby Time Capsule, for example, was one of the Teeny Beany Babies from McDonalds.  The name of the animal was MEL - which was also the Guest of Honor's initials.

Be sure to take a picture of the Guest of Honor receiving the Time Capsule - one for a scrapbook, but also to put in the Time Capsule!  You might also take a group shot of the shower guests to put in there.  Be sure to write their names down - in 25 years, names might be hard to remember!