What's the BEST Wedding Gift you've ever given?

[WillParkinson]

My friends are mostly non-traditional type people and I try to look for gifts in that vein.

When our friends Chad & Trish were married a few months ago we went to "Things Remembered" and purchased a set of silver champagne flutes that we had engraved...

"Happy 25th Anniversary Chad & Trish - May 25th, 2028"

The people at TR thought we were insane but Chad & Trish LOVED it.

[CO Liberal]

1. Cash

Always the right size......

[northzax]

2. syphillis

the gift that keeps on giving.

[TlalocW]

3. Long story

As teenagers, my two best friends and I always joked that we would have swords at each others' weddings - not because we were in the military, but just because we like swords, damn it. (To 3 high school friends this was hilarious, trust me) So we become "adults", and one of them takes the plunge (they've since divorced) to this anal-retentive, evil Martha Stewart clone, who when they were dating once asked my friend, "They're not really going to have swords at MY wedding are they?" Anyway, no swords at the wedding, but our other friend and I got them two gifts - some boring stupid serving platter on their (her) list, and a decorative set of samurai swords on a wooden holder, which we set up on the table in front of their seats. When they walked into the reception, my friend's eyes lit up when he saw them. His wife had a tight smile on that didn't reach her eyes. He made the first cut into the wedding cake with the long sword. :)

TlalocW

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Ice Cream makers!

For one set of friends, I even went to a ceramics place and painted bowls with their names in them to eat their ice cream from. And include the "Ben And Jerry's Ice Cream" book in the package, too.

I get the electric kind - not the hand cranking.

Also have given picnic baskets filled with picnicware - plastic cups adn utensils and plates, napkins, some icepack stuff, etc.,so all they have to do is fill it with food, and they have the whole kit and kaboodle in one shot. Nowadays, of course, I would not get the picnic basket, I would get the insulated picnic backpack. :-)

[TNDemo]

5. A handmade book of their vows.

I managed to get a copy of my friend's vows that she and her husband had written for the wedding. I had someone write them in calligraphy in a handmade book (she even made the paper and did the binding). I can't remember what my vows were so I thought it might be nice to review now and then (and see how you're doing).

[alpizzy]

6. A painting....

which the artist ( a relative) signed to us.
In fact, I treasure any handmade gift ....expression from the heart no matter
the skill level.

[slackmaster]

7. A pair of kitchen knives

It's supposed to be bad luck, and it worked! Everyone but the bride and groom saw the marriage as an inevitable train wreck. They were divorced in less than 6 months.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Myself...to my husband...

you can say Awwwwwwwww now.
;)

[Robb]

9. Lessee...

We got a pinata, and a sand wedge to break the sucker wide open. Wine-o-the-month club was a winner. Paella pan was a big hit also.

My wife liked the martini shaker, engraved with "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" ("fortune favors the bold")....

[Tikki]

10. Satin sheets and Grandma's...

....'peanut butter cookie' recipe.

[Rainbowreflect]

11. A vibrator,

to my ex-husbands new wife. Hee hee, long funny story.

[On the Road]

12. Do Gifts for Renewing Wedding Vows Count?

My parents renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary last month, and my brother and I sent them to St. Kitts for a week. That went over pretty well.