DEAR READERS:

On May 18, I printed a letter from a young woman who had been invited to a friend's lingerie shower. "Bringing a Blender in Montana" was uncomfortable with the idea of purchasing intimate apparel for the bride-to-be, so I suggested she bring a "high-necked flannel nightgown." When I asked you readers to offer other gift suggestions, you responded with an avalanche of terrific responses. Thanks to all for your clever suggestions. Read on:

DEAR ABBY:

One of the most unique bridal shower gifts I received was a set of pillowcases. Both cases had one side that read "YES" in big red letters. The reverse side of the bride's case said, "Not tonight, I have a headache." The other side of the groom's case read, "I have the aspirin."PILLOW TALK 26 YEARS LATER

DEAR ABBY:

"Bringing" could give her friend a set of cooking spices to "keep the spice in their marriage." The card should read: "Let your fantasies go wild when you have the 'thyme'!" SPICE GIRL IN STOCKTON, CALIF.

DEAR ABBY:

For my granddaughter's lingerie shower, I gave her a generous check, a pair of men's dress socks and a note saying the socks were to replace the ones she'd knock off him when he saw her in one of her beautiful nightgowns. It elicited many chuckles from the guests. STILL KNOCKIN' HIS SOCKS OFF

DEAR ABBY:

I was given a gift basket, which included body lotion, bath salts, candles, chocolates and a romantic DVD. I enjoyed the gift basket more than the lingerie. JUDY IN RAWLINS, WYO.

DEAR ABBY:

We had a "useful utensil party" for my future sister-in-law. I gave her a nutcracker. DEBBIE IN ALBION, CALIF.

DEAR ABBY:

When I attended my granddaughter's bridal shower, I wrapped some fig leaves with her gift and joked about her wearing them in case her closet ran short. She responded with, "Gramma!" It surprised her, but it brought a lot of laughs. GRAMMA ON THE WEST COAST

DEAR ABBY:

Lovely camisoles or slips, special mesh bags for washing fine items, scented lingerie detergent or pretty new slippers are all acceptable and appreciated gifts for starting married life. DIANNE IN CARLISLE, PA.

DEAR ABBY:

As a gag gift, she could give them a bottle of aspirin and some good reading material ... BEEN THERE IN ILLINOIS

DEAR ABBY:

Four silk scarves, a leather whip and a can of whipped cream. This is all done in fun! HAVING A GOOD TIME IN THE EAST

DEAR ABBY:

My dad said it didn't matter what my sister wore on her wedding night. She could wear a burlap sack and her husband would be happy. One of my aunts took his idea and made a burlap sack "nightie," complete with lace at the neckline and hem. My sister, who has a wonderful sense of humor, wore it on her wedding night. I'm sure it provided a good laugh and a fun way to end their wedding day. HER BIG SISTER

DEAR ABBY:

Packaged in a beautifully wrapped, fairly large box was one lace-and-ribbon bow with a note saying, "Wear only this on your wedding night." WITH LOVE FROM GRANDMA

DEAR ABBY:

My in-laws were married in 1940. She was 17; he was 19. For her shower, my mother-in-law received a beautiful full-length nightgown with fur trim around the bottom added by the giver. The card read: "To keep your neck warm." IRENE IN ELIDA, OHIO

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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