Yesterday, my sister-in-law threw me what I refer to as a domestication party. The official term is "bridal shower," but any party where it is seen as acceptable to give a girl who doesn't cook or even like greens a vegetable scrubber is a domestication party. At my sister-in-law's party she received mostly kitchen related items: an electric skillet, a wok, a carafe (even though she doesn't drink tea or coffee) and other things that I can't recall right now. I know those are traditional gifts, but what's the message behind them? You're getting married, welcome to your new life as a domestic servent?

I actually didn't want a bridal shower. I don't feel comfortable being the center of attention and there were some other issues (not involving presents). But my sister-in-law insisted and she ended up throwing me a fun little anti-domestication party with my friends. And I suppose if there were an overall message in the gifts I received it would be: You're getting married, stop wearing T-shirts to sleep and dress sexy for your hubby while eating chocolate off of each other.