Looking for a wedding shower that both the groom and bride can get excited about? Look no further than the bar shower. Whether the engaged couple already has a bar in their home, plan to have one, or simply enjoy entertaining guests – a bar shower is a great way to include the groom and other guys in the pre-wedding festivities.

This is a great shower for groomsmen or friends of the groom to organize. First, think about the types of bar gifts the shower should include. For example, is the shower being thrown to help stock the couple’s bar with barware gifts (such as wine, beer, martini, margarita, brandy or champagne glasses), utensils and accessories (such as wine and beer bottle openers, wine racks, jiggers, martini shakers or drink recipe books) or liquor only? We recommend including all of the above.

Blue Label - standard refreshment at the TMR offices

Next, think about the invitations. Make sure to include the theme of the shower someplace on the invitation, so guests will know what kind of gifts are appropriate. If guests will be bringing liquor, you may even want to call the guests that have accepted ahead of time to let them know what type of liquor to bring. Otherwise, the couple may end up with seven bottles of scotch. While this may not be a problem for some couples, others may prefer a slightly more diversified bar. If the gifts will include other bar items, it’s helpful if the couple has already registered for some options.

What about guests? This type of couples shower easily lends itself to the wedding party and friends of the couple, but can also include close family members and extended relatives. This type of shower is usually held during evening hours, so refreshments can include drinks and hors d’oeuvres rather than a full meal.

GroomsAdvice Tip: What could be better than a shower that brings together friends, good liquor and plenty of bar gifts? Not only is this a great way to stock the couple’s bar, it’s also a great opportunity for some of the couple’s friends who don’t already know each other to meet in a fun, relaxed atmosphere before the wedding.

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Ring bearer gift of the day: Personalized Train Bank This old fashioned train bank can be engraved with up to 2 lines of personalization.

Personalized Silver Plated Train Bank

Totally awesome non-wedding link of the day: The Pug Head Tilt. We can’t stop laughing.

Grooms, check out TheManRegistry.com for our manly wedding registry, groomsmen gifts, and information for grooms!

Alright, guys. Today, I’m proposing a new American tradition, hereby dubbed: App Day.  This tradition should be treated as every other holiday in this grand country, either by taking the day off work, or to make it even easier to receive approval from the federal holiday commission, it could even be held on a Sunday every year. On second thought, maybe easiest of all would be to collocate it with another existing time-honored and manly tradition — Super Bowl Sunday.

Now that we have the day carefully chosen, let’s expand upon the concept. First off, every citizen (or guest) will be tasked, no — honored, with bringing at least two appetizers to the occasion (read: party). One stipulation: one of the food items must be fried. I know what you’re thinking health-conscious America, “That can’t possibly be on my new 2009 diet!” But fear not, there are multiple ways to thoroughly enjoy this holiday, even with lighter fare. On the healthier side, appetizers could include fried mushrooms, zucchini, ochre, squash or fish. On the more traditional end, dishes could focus on fried chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, sausages, you get the idea. The key to this holiday is to think outside the box — don’t just let your imagination wane. Think chili, little smokies, quesadillas, fried pickles…the possibilities are virtually endless! Have a great appetizer recipe? Let us know about it.

Hot wings: an app day necessity

If you already have another tradition in place for Super Bowl Sunday that simply can’t be broken, this is a perfect opportunity to extend this holiday to a groom-to-be’s man shower instead. “Man Showers” have become extremely popular in the last several years as men are getting more involved with weddings. I personally can’t think of a better way to celebrate a man’s impending nuptials than by downing plate after plate of fried foods chased by cold beer with close friends and family. So find a day that works for your buddy and get started.

GroomsAdvice Tip: If you don’t already have one, I’d recommend picking up a deep fryer ASAP because this day will soon become one of the great American holidays citizens look forward to each and every year, so the investment will be well worth it. (And for those who’d rather not bother leaving the house to shop for a fryer, The Man Registry offers a George Foreman deep fryer right here on our site.)

- Jimmy Horner: Co-founder of TheManRegistry.com & Inventor of Appetizer Day

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Groomsmen gift of the day: Personalized Irish Pub Bar Sign >>>more groomsman gifts

Personalized Irish Pub & Grub Bar Sign

Totally awesome non-wedding link of the day: If you’re like us at TMR, you’re anxiously awaiting this Sunday’s return of 24. Why not get in the mood a little early by playing the Jack Bauer drinking game.