Depending on the type of wedding that you are looking to do. If you are looking for modern, one sleeve dresses are pretty popular however it depends on the bride.
Yes, it is completely appropriate for a mothers friend to host a bridal shower. Bridal showers are not to be hosted by a mother, sister, or other immediate family member of the couple due to it looking as though they are asking for gifts.
Generally the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids get together and have a Bridal Shower or, the mother of the bride may have one as well. Whomever has the bridal shower pays for it and they have the right to ask guests that they know to contribute some of the food if they so wish.
It is in poor taste to have a bridal shower at the home of the bride's mother. The bride's aunts or friends host showers.
usually its the maid of honor who hosts the bridal shower but i don't see why the mother of the bride couldn't do it it would make me feel more comfortable id i was planning the bridal shower for me daughter
A mother can give her daughter a bridal shower (generally the guests would be relatives) but, it is usually the maid of honor that gives the bridal shower and perhaps coworkers at work.
Only if the bride wants her there.
Bridal shower is usually for the bride-to-be and her friends, Mother and Mother-in-law by specific invitation only. No one wants to do all the silly girly stuff in front of the Moms.
Either a mother; mother-in-law; sister or good friend has a bridal shower and does not require a hostess gift. If the bride wishes to thank the hostess she could send a thank you note along with an arrangement of flowers.
http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/bridal-shower-ideas/articles/a-complete-guide-to-bridal-shower-games.aspx has over 15 enjoyable bridal shower games you are seeking for. It explains the gist of every game and gives the instructions to play and have fun for the joyous occasion.
Bernice Berner has: Played Mrs. Cook in "The Maid from Sweden" in 1914. Performed in "In Bridal Attire" in 1914. Played Aunt Sarah in "The Accomplished Mrs. Thompson" in 1914. Performed in "Romantic Josie" in 1914. Played Mother in "What Happened to Father" in 1915. Performed in "To Save Him for His Wife" in 1915.
There is no traditional bridal gift from a mother of the bride at the bridal shower. The mother of the bride could give her daughter: thick bath towels; fancy place mats with cloth napkins to match and napkin holders; fancy wine glasses with perhaps a bottle of white or red wine or both and on and on it goes. Generally as a wedding gift the bride and groom prefer money so they can either save the money or buy something they like with it.
Bridal tiaras can be made of Pearl Tiaras (faux pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Keshi Pearls and Mother of Pearl), Crystal Tiaras (Swarovski Crystals,Austrian Crystals and Rhinestones) and any combination of this.