DISQUS

lezin bogan · 1 year ago

i am italian and is customary to give money to the couple. i know that it sounds impersonal, but is is kind of expected and very welcomed.

Andrew · 1 year ago

My brother gave us a great wedding gift: a VERY nice bottle of wine with best wishes and strict instructions (written right one lable) to share it only on our 5th anniversary. It was a great way to let both the wine and the marriage mature into something much better!

Poochie · 1 year ago

The best gifts we got were a steamer (because we used it 3xs a week at least, for 10 years) and this great blanket.

We like to give vintage silver serving piecs for these wood bowls crafted by this local artist. They're unique and gorgeous.

MarieLeona · 1 year ago

My signature wedding gift is something made out of crystal - wine glasses, cake stands, bonbon dish, candle holders, ect. It's a little something special that we do not buy when we are just starting out in life. The idea started out when I was about 12 y.o. or so and I took a bet with my oldest sister (14 y.o.) that I would marry first and if I did she had to buy me crystal candle holders (that was, at the time, the most expensive, glamorous thing I could think of)... I still cherish those candle holders!!!!

Krystl · 1 year ago

I like to give "The New Best Recipe" cookbook, which compiles 1000 recipes from Cook's Illustrated magazine (see the "favorite magazines" question!). I use tape flags to mark my favorite recipes and I make little notes in the margins about why I like them, or tweaks I like to make to them. My husband and I write a nice inscription in the front about cooking and marriage. I like to add a bouquet of spoons and spatulas, and the gift is done! Inexpensive, personal, and useful.

I have also been thanked over and over again by the couple to whom we gave a year's subscription to netflix. :)

Suzyn · 1 year ago

My signature gift: Tiffany crystal candlesticks, in a big blue box. (Hmmmm - my style statement wouldn't be Classic Joy would it??)

The best gifts we received were help - not just financial - with the wedding. My maid of honor, an amazing costume designer, helped me make my wedding dress. One friend who was broke volunteered to run around the city with his van picking stuff up the morning of.

And I have to share my brilliant (if I do say so myself) rehearsal luncheon favors - I made each person a t-shirt with their name on the front, and their role in the wedding and relationship to us on the back (thank you, inkjet iron-on transfer paper!). Everyone put them on, then milled about reading each others - the two families actually mingled!!

kerrymac · 1 year ago

I refuse to buy stuff of the registry. Who ever remembers who the set of sheets came from? I want to give them something they don't need but will treasure. It depends on the couple...at times when I have been stumped I have bought a really high end car blanket with a waterproof backside for impromptu picnics and snuggles in any weather.
www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com

I might have to steal Danielle's idea too...that's a great one.

Danielle LaPorte · 1 year ago

all our Italian and Portuguese wedding guests gave us fat envelopes. And we were so grateful.

andrea · 1 year ago

one year, my husband and I had at least 5 weddings to attend. At the time, we were in our mid-twenties (and were just dating at the time) and did not have a lot of extra cash for elaborate or fancy wedding gifts.

We decided that we would use the many beautiful old window frames that we had gathered over the years (from house demos in the Vancouver area) and create the gifts for our friends ourselves. We would pick out a window frame (usually one from an area that was close to where our friends lived) and have mirrors added along with the hanging material and then I would write a little story about the history of the frame, where it came from and a little bit about the area that the home was in. I would paste the story on the back of the frame and then wrap the whole thing with a beautiful ribbon.

These seemed to be a big hit and all of our friends still have their mirrored frames hanging in their homes today...

Cecile · 1 year ago

I'd skip the sterling and give them a stainless steel flatware service for 12 from Williams Sonoma's France Pattern with the great big soup spoons... and an antique cream colored porcelain tureen to go with it... Romantic...and sooo practical!! Besides, I love soup tureens. So, I am giving someone a little bit of me, because I'd probably want to keep it!!! lollollol

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

WHAT A FANTABULOUS IDEA!!!!!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!!!!

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

This is so very cool!!! Love the idea... and the friend who ran around in the van....had it been nowadays, it would have been the most expensive goft of all.... lollollol

Cécile

Kristi · 1 year ago

For 'West Coasters', we like to give something that speaks of this beautiful place:

1. Silver Haida carved salad spoons - objects of art that get used often

or if the couple is older and already has (at least) 2 households worth of stuff, we give:

2. A wonderful take-out picnic and tickets to Bard on the Beach.

I love Danielle's idea of framing the wedding invitation - we have a wedding to go to in August so may just expand our repertoire.

andrea · 1 year ago

thanks! we got a lot of enjoyment out of making the windows and then seeing them in our friends homes...

Audrey · 1 year ago

I have to agree with Carrie, I think artwork or unique home goods that look like art are the best wedding gifts. Coming from my standpoint, if you are artistic or know of someone who is, its great to have a custom art piece created for the newlyweds, something that depicts both the groom and bride as a couple, (as well as their taste) they will cherish it for years and years to come; plus its a great visual addition to their new nest!

Lisa D. · 1 year ago

Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages - in addition to something more personal.
I love Carrie's artwork idea!

Benita · 1 year ago

In the Chinese culture we give decorated little red envelopes called Ly See filled with money. You can get them at any little gift store in your local China Town and it adds a festive touch to giving money.

Cecile · 1 year ago

I am always reluctant to give works of art, based on the fact that My taste may not run along the same lines of say, the bride if I am a friend of the groom. Sane thing with Antiques... people are funnyy about certain things... Frankly, the best present when in doubt is an American Express or VISA gift certificate. I feel that for two people that are just starting and especialyy for those who have it all, I say let them get what makes them happy, unless it's something that I know specifically will thrill them... like a year's worth of high octane gas!!!! lollollollol

Cécile

Jennifer · 1 year ago

totally depends on the couple, i try not to presume my taste is universally adored, and thus restrain myself from getting items i cherish and go for more practical (albeit personal) options.

one of my favorites is a great set of steak knives and a shipment of steaks from an organic farm (blackwing is one option).

if the couple are strictly herbivores dean & deluca make this great spice collection, the "metropolitan" is about as swank as it gets.

finally, a gift certificate to their registry store is always appreciated.

Liz · 1 year ago

Many. many years ago, we got an ice cream maker. I think of the giver every time I use it.

weezie · 1 year ago

For all but the very, very non-traditional couples I give a set of 12 hem-stitched monogrammed linen napkins. I've done this for years and had brides tell me over and over how much they appreciate the timelessness of this gift.

Alexis · 1 year ago

Wildflower seeds and pottery for their yard/garden. Symbolizes growing into one life together.

http://shopacrosstexas.com/shopping/texasgifts.php

Sabrina · 1 year ago

I love this idea! That's so cool and so personal and so simple.

Jamie · 1 year ago

One of the best gifts we received came after the wedding and it was from my sister, Shannon. When we returned from our honeymoon the fridge was stocked with fruit, juice, some treats and a nice meal. It was so, so appreciated to come home in the wee hours after a long flight and just enjoy!

Chris · 1 year ago

The Five Love Languages book - the gift that keeps on giving. Great idea!

Lisa · 1 year ago

Maggie Scharf's book Intimate Partners, still the best book on marriage I've ever read........things that will grow along with the marriage, so a gift certificate to a local nursery or landscaping service.....and I love some of the other ideas I'm seeing here.

Betsy · 1 year ago

For my closest friends I stitched a personalized a counted cross-stitch wedding sampler. For several other weddings, I've given a cookbook. One of my favorite cookbooks to give is Gooseberry Patch's Old-Fashioned Cookies cookbook.

Lee-Anne · 1 year ago

For a small, personal touch I like to give a CD I've burned with all my husband's & my special songs that signify our take on relationships.

MelissaM · 1 year ago

A handmade card and a picnic basket filled with goodies.

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

What a lovely gift.

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Such creative ideas! I"ll take anything from Dean & Deluca!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

So thoughtful, so you!

Tara · 1 year ago

I'm with Carrie, I usually always give art - something that I think suits the style of the couple. When my husband and I were married, a friend of his gave us a painting of seagull (I think!). He'd painted it himself, and wrote a note on the back. I definitely wouldn't hang it on the wall, but I've always hung on to it.

Nancy · 1 year ago

I love to give a couples massage as a wedding gift. It is romantic, fun & something most people don't purchase for themselves.

Julia · 1 year ago

My favorite wedding gift is a stainless steel coffee carafe from Crate and Barrel. The marriage didn't last, but the carafe is still here 8 years later! I use it everyday, and it reminds me of my dear friend Laura Berry. Although I see her very rarely, I am reminded of her every morning as I enjoy my coffee!

Julia · 1 year ago

Oh--I love that gift! I have enjoyed pewter monogrammed napkin rings as well!

Julia · 1 year ago

Soup tureens are great centerpieces...just insert a nice fern or some fruit if you're not into soup!

Kylie · 1 year ago

I was given a black & white photo of my husband and I (random shot)in a divine frame. We would never have got such a large photo/frame ourself but as a gift it reminds me of how special the couple are that gave it to us and what a divine day it was.

Denise of Uniquely Tea · 1 year ago

I like to give an "Our First Christmas Together" tree ornament for them to hang on their first Christmas tree. Hallmark usually has their dated ornaments out by July. If the wedding is before then, I usually having luck finding a dated ornament on the internet. If not, there are plenty of undated "First Christmas Together" ornaments to be had.

Stephanie · 1 year ago

I like to give rocks. Amethyst, opal quartz, even a thunder egg. No one ever gets rid of a rock. Even if for some reason they are not crazy about it, they could put it in their garden for something to sparkle. Sometimes you can find rocks that have been made into votives - they look gorgeous when they are lit.

Rocks are my favorite gift to receive, too!

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

a good set of really great luggage--- not plain black, but more noticeable for identification purposes, and stylish (in their style). It lasts years, is very practical, and is generally appreciated by both members of the couple. Newly weds are usually only thinking about the honeymoon, anyway!---

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

brilliant!

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

Our minister recommended this to my husband-to-be and me when we were getting married. It is a very useful book that continues to support our marriage.

(Because we are an interfaith couple, and she is an interfaith minister, she made sure to let us know that it is not an overtly religious book, although it is written by a Christian minister. This should not put off non-Christian or non-religious couples. It is a book about love.)

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

make sure the bride likes the invitation... I admit that I still cringe thinking about our font, which somehow didn't end up being the one we chose! (As silly as that is... I know. But fonts matter to me...)

Beth C. · 1 year ago

The best wedding gift I received was a set of twelve engraved silver mint julep cups that my mother gave to me before the wedding. I used them as the vases for the flowers that sat on the tables at the reception. Today, I use one to store my makeup brushes in on my vanity so I get to see it every day as I'm getting ready to go to work. I have another that I keep out and use to drink cold drinks. All the rest are on display in the breakfront in my dining room. They are so loved!

Cecile · 1 year ago

Good morning!

Well if I had the storage space I would collect them. I own four. They are perfect for buffets, luncheons, brunches, you name it! Some of them are works of art...-careful there, Cecile... lollollolo I just love the one IO have for Thanks giving: a large cream colored turkey... for the stuffing!!
I have another where I put warm fruit compote, and so forth... And yes... fruit makes a gorgeous centerpiece.

Cécile

Xai Vicente Charles · 1 year ago

When my brother got married, all the ladies in our family gathered our treasured family recipes and placed in a handmade book made by another family member. Since them we've copied that book and we each have one. I have a special copy to give to my son when he gets married.

Ellen · 1 year ago

When I married, the best gifts I received were pieces of my crystal and big-ticket items I could return for cash. I know that sounds cold, but it really helped at the time.

When I divorced, my best friend stocked the kitchen in my new bachelorette apartment with all the staples....salt, pepper, mustard, a range of spices, milk, eggs, butter...you name it.

When my friends married last summer, I copied by hand all my best recipes into a lovely Rumi journal (the one Danielle highlighted a week or so ago). They had asked me for several recipes previously, and they enjoyed getting them in a lovely book.

textimage · 1 year ago

you, i like. before i was a bride, i was creative, expressive and as personal as personal as can be in gift giving. but after i was on the receiving end of such "thoughtfulness" (faux silver chaffing dish from the family who runs a catering company?!) i adored that my registry store collected the value of all our gifts and allowed us to spend it in anyway we wanted (hello full set of stemware!). from my dearest friends, sure go for it, get personal, creative, we love it... but everyone else, i love me some registry credit! i now take my sobering, learning experience and apply it to all but my most cherished amigos.

Tamara · 1 year ago

Consider publishing those recipes through a publishing-on- demand company like Lulu.com. (There are many such companies.) Then you'll have a beautiful book that you can give to family members whenever you like. It's surprisingly affordable since you don't have to order a bunch of copies at once.

Kristin (The Goat) · 1 year ago

OOOh, I love giving gifts - wedding gifts are among my favorites. I didn't register when I got married an we got some really fun stuff. I did sell a lot of stuff later, that wasn't our taste, but still - I loved the creativity.

I like to give pottery bowls. I love pottery bowls, so I give pottery bowls. Depending on the couple, I usually give a real large bowl, for a party sized tossed salad, or large quantities of pasta.

Lisa · 1 year ago

Best wedding gift we got was from my brother: A home-cooked italian meal delivered in a picnic basket lined with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth and accompanied by cooking instructions for a delicious meal. With a great bottle of italian wine, a copy of the movie la dolce vida and a cd of italian opera music (which I don't usually like, but it set the ambiance). And a lovely, warm heartfelt card that went with it.

Kristin · 1 year ago

I love giving a meal somewhere - if I can, to a restaurant at the honeymoon spot so they can enjoy a meal without considering the financial implications; if not, a meal at a fancy place in their hometown so they can celebrate upon their return. Moments often mean as much as physical items, and I've enjoyed receiving thank-you notes with mouth-watering details of their dinners!

Loriann · 1 year ago

Good god yes. We told people that we were already combining two long-established households and had all we need, and that we would much prefer they support a charity in honor of the occasion if they felt that had to do something beyond just sharing our joy that day. Many did. We did set up a small registry with practical things that we really would use and appreciate. Others chose that route, or cash. But while I'm truly appreciative of the thought behind the hideous but expensive piece of art given by my MIL's dear friend, we can never, ever get rid of it. If you must buy something with "personality," please god make it something that can be hidden away in a drawer if it is not to the taste of the recipient. I can't think of a worse gift than art that must be displayed (and that includes framed invitations) unless the couple specifically requested that particular piece. The wedding should be about the couple, not about you expressing your creativity.

Xai Vicente Charles · 1 year ago

Thank you Tamara.
I am going to look into this today.

Krysta · 1 year ago

Me too - Danielle, hope you don't mind me stealing this idea! Its so personal... I wish I had done this with ours... have no idea where our copy it ended up?! At the bottom of some box somewhere. Great idea.

lynn · 1 year ago

I often give handmade items - most often pottery made by a fine woman I have gotten to know over the years. She makes French butter keepers. What are these? you might ask. Think of a lid where the edge is very deep. You pack butter into it and then invert it into a bottom piece filled with water. This keeps the butter the perfect consistency for spreading - summer or winter. My kids' friends would use ours and ask me where I got it. I started giving them away once I saw how many people liked them too. I include an Ikebana vase by the same artist. This is a Japanese-style vase made from clay that the artist leaves a very earthy brown color and often presses a small shell into for a subtle design. There is a metal pronged holder (frog) in the center that can hold one or several flowers - perfect for the person who is flower-arranging challenged! Also perfect for the single blossom that a child brings into the house as a gift for Mama.

Jen · 1 year ago

Evla Pottery , located in St. Paul Minnesota . Micheal Coon is the potter , and Kimberly Christenson runs the store and is also a Abstract Painter. They let you put pottery aside for your wedding registry. Mike also makes dinner sets in feb.
They are family owned business and work hard like farmers with out a tractor.
"You never know what presents the Kiln will leave you." Just like nature.
Personally, the bowl from Evla for under $60 makes a great made by hand and in America heirloom gift. Any one can buy mass produced give something with love in it. thanks. jen

Karen · 1 year ago

I have to go to a Portuguese wedding this year, and I know that money is expected as a gift, but have no idea as to what is the average amount to give? I work with the bride's mother and she is also a friend. From listening to the planning of the wedding, it's going to be quite extravagant.