Anyone can give it: aunt, best friend, maid of honor, bridesmaids, groom;s Mother
It's generally the mother or sister, then best friend. but it can be given by just about anybody.
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...
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...
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...
You can just sign it 'love ________' or something nicer would be 'Love from your future mother-in-law; I am blessed to be gaining a daughter. It depends on how close you are to the bride.