Ladies, Do you know what a wishing well is?!
I'm from NJ and if a shower invitation says "wishing well", it means the guests (in addition to their larger gift) bring smaller, everyday items to put in the "well". At a bridal shower you may bring a package of sponges, some dish soap, a candle, etc. and at a baby shower you might bring a package of diapers, wipes, a rattle, etc.)
Answers: I have noticed on here that a wishing well at a baby or bridal shower means different things in different regions. Can you please tell me what it means to you and where you are from?
I'm from NJ and if a shower invitation says "wishing well", it means the guests (in addition to their larger gift) bring smaller, everyday items to put in the "well". At a bridal shower you may bring a package of sponges, some dish soap, a candle, etc. and at a baby shower you might bring a package of diapers, wipes, a rattle, etc.)
I think from the answers it a north east thing. central ny here. seen many of these at showers. Personally I think it is a gentle reminder about the little things babies, even future housewives need. Most people think about the large items.
yeah, i am in new york, long island specifically, and it means the same here as it does by you.
Sadly I have never heard of a wishing well at a shower. I live in Western Canada- Calgary.
I've never heard of it myself. Now more to buy...will it never end. :(
I had never heard of this custom before visiting this forum--apparently it's either somewhat new and I just haven't been invited to a shower where they've done it, or it's a regional or cultural thing that isn't common in East Texas.
What I have seen that is similar I guess is the hostesses of the shower putting together some sort of gift basket which would be similar to the wishing well items. Also, the prizes of the silly little shower games are usually the same type of items, and are traditionally given back to the shower honoree instead of kept by the game winner. (at least in my neck of the woods!)
The wishing well is a cute idea, but it probably means that people will spend less on the big gift if they know they now have to come up with another one as well. I can see it working ok if several people were going in together on a larger gift but wanted to do a little something extra (maybe from the kids in the family or something). I also think it's sweet to remember the older sibling in a family when giving a baby gift. (some people have 2nd showers, or when giving baby gift @ hospital.)
I have heard of it. I was born and raised in Staten Island, NY. I now reside in Kansas and no-one here has heard of it. I think it is an east coast thing. Who knows? I think it is a cute idea though.
In NY, a wishing well is literally a "wishing well" made of cardboard and decorative paper. Inside the well, people place little gifts, like pacifiers, socks, one-sies, and those kinds of items. These are additional to a "big" present.
I live in south NJ so its the same.
never heard of it- Midwest
When I see wishing wells at a party it is usually where the monetary gifts are placed. Often times these are used instead of a money tree.
Where I was raised, it was considered good luck to throw money in a well. You tossed your money in and made a wish (just like you do at the fountains in the mall and at parks). So therefore, you put your monetary gifts in the well for good wishes to the bride/baby/ guest of honor.
Triad NC. First I heard of this. A Wishing Well hasn't ever been for a place to put "stuff or gifts at a party."
Don't think it would go over "well" either.
Usually our showers results in car/van loads of gifts. Relatives/friends band together for the bigger gifts and it's considered crass to ask for cash.
You might get some cash mind you...or a gift card--you just don't hint or ask. And if you can't afford the party, don't expect to pick up enough cash to pay for it at the party.
North Carolina used real wells with a hand crank and a leather, wood, tin or aluminum pail at a hand dug well.
Then mock wells (with/without water) appeared in gardens; at fund raising events; malls.
Ponds, fountains, and fake water streams appeared as alternate bodies of water to become "Wishing Wells".
All of these "wells" were used by tossing a coin or coins and making a wish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wishing_wel...
http://www.wishingwellusa.org/HOME.asp
http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.p...
WELL IM FROM CALI AND OUT HERE IT MEANS MONEY TREE BASCIALLY.
I'm a Hispanic from Chicago and we use wishing wells to put money in for the bride & groom or the baby. A little something extra besides the gifts.
I'm from Western Ma, and we use wishing wells for the cards, usually containing $$ or gift cards @ showers.