Today, that tradition is taking some pleasant new turns. Showers are no longer just for women only. In this era of sharing, grooms are getting in on the fun, participating in selection of household and kitchen equipment.
Men do nearly as much cooking as women and often take on the chore of food shopping.
For that reason, mixed-company showers are gaining in popularity, with the groom himself taking a share of the gifts. Abigail Kirsch, working with Susan M. Greenberg, has compiled the first modern teaching cookbook for young couples whose sophisticated tastes outdistance their kitchen skills and available time. N.Y. She was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She has catered elaborate charity events and thousands of engagement and wedding parties. Recipes are not meat and potato selections.