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The Great Land
Outdoor enthusiasts who adore all Southeast Alaska has to offer
might appreciate a shower centered on The Great Land. Hold the shower
outside at one of the many regional recreation sites. Make up a
menu that features food like barbecued salmon, reindeer sausage
and blueberry desserts. Get appetites raging with a great tug-o-war,
relay races, and maybe a miniature obstacle course. Or start the
day off with a short hike along one of Juneau's trails. Hire a local
musician (or two or more) with a guitar to lead sing-a-longs by
the fire to wrap up the event. Presents can be placed in a kayak
for a decorative touch. Resident adventure/outdoor shops and services
can help outfit guests with the just-right gift, which can be anything
from a local cruise or glacier tour, camping/hiking equipment, or
ski and snowboard paraphernalia for those who like the fluffy stuff.
Fine Wine
This is a simple yet classy shower for the bride who has almost
everything. Serve a small assortment of wines, cheeses and crackers.
Keep white grape juice on hand for teetotalers. Frosted grapes and
colorful paper grape leaf replicas make up the decor. Consider bringing
in a wine expert to present a mini-class. Gift ideas include bottles
of wine, coasters, wine rack, corkscrews and the like. Plan activities
around "improve with age" or "wine, women and song"
ideas. Get creative juices flowing by toasting the bride in unique
ways: rhymes, limericks, haiku. After all, "wine is bottled
poetry," according to Robert Louis Stephenson. Finally, remember
the idea is to sip, not get sloshed, but in case someone tips back
one too many, arrange backup transportation.
Say Spa-aah
Shower a stressed bride with a spa. Plan pampering activities that
focus on peace and beauty. Hire a masseuse to give guests a 10-minute
neck and shoulder rub. Or soak your feet and paint your toenails.
Serve up fresh fruit and vegetables, mineral water and herbal teas.
Play soothing background music, and scent the air with fragrant
candles. Perfect presents include gift certificates to local spas
or hair or nail salons, foot massagers, candles, sachets, bath and
shower goodies, poetry or contemplative books, instrumental CDs
and such. Keep decorations simple and harmonic: several small glass
vases each holding just one colorful blossom and/or a miniature
water fountain, for example.
By Catherine Parmelee
For the Juneau Empire
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