What It Means

• An around the clock shower is a theme that has been used for generations. It might sound as though an around the clock bridal shower lasts for hours. However, the premise of the theme is that guests are assigned a time of day and buy a gift that corresponds with that time. For example, a guest who is appointed 5 p.m. might give cookware, while a guest who is designated to cover 6 a.m. might give the couple a coffeemaker.
  
  

How to Plan

• The first thing to do when planning an around the clock shower is to create your guest list. You will need to assign the most appropriate time to each guest. Consider the guest's relationship with the couple, as well as their finances, if possible. For instance, you might not want to assign bedtime to either the bride's or groom's mothers. Also, if you know someone has a limited budget, assign them a time of day with various gift ideas that are more inexpensive. You can assign more than one person to a time as well. In fact, it might be more feasible to break the times into chunks, such as 6 to 8 a.m. or "early morning."
  
  

Inviting Guests

• Once you have created your master list with guests and their designated times, you can send out invitations. Buy around the clock themed invitations or make them. To make your invitations, cut a circle out of a folded piece of heavy paper, being careful not to cut through the fold. Use number stickers to make a clock face on the front. Glue construction paper clock hands showing the guest's appointed time. On the inside of the card, write a rhyme, such as "You're invited to Raymond and Meagan's shower. Choose a gift that's right for your assigned hour! Your assigned time is: _____." Include a few blank recipe cards and ask guests to share favorite recipes associated with their time of day.
  
  

At the Shower

• Continue the theme throughout the shower. Serve foods typically eaten at different times of day, such as cinnamon rolls, tea sandwiches and salads. Make a large round cake and surround it with a dozen cupcakes. Use icing to draw the numbers 1 through 12 on the cupcakes, and to draw clock hands on the cake. Make the time on the cake correspond with the time the wedding is to take place. Give a variety of cute and kitschy timers as party favors.