Wedding gift ideas?

[tigereye]

What kind of gifts have folks given? My brother is getting married after long-time living with his gf, and they have a lot of stuff.


I had my eye on a lovely Italian ceramic platter - lovely yellows and blues and intricate patterning. It's hard, though, you want something useful, yet lovely, that celebrates such a cool occasion. Seems more meaningful than money, somehow.

[crispini]

1. If they already have a lot of stuff--

are they registered anywhere? you might suggest that they register for the honeymoon -- there are places that let you all contribute to the cost of the trip. Or, anything that shows you've really thought about what they need -- maybe something for around the house that you've noticed they don't have. Wedding gifts are tough, I guess that's why they have registries.

[tigereye]

2. nah, no registry - that's what makes it a little harder

that's why I wasn't sure. I've been to their house a lot, usually we get folks art for presents, but they aren't heavily into that.


When we married, our best friends bought us a gorgeous Klimt print from a museum, but that wouldn't be my brother's style.



I really like getting something unique and hand-made, if I can.

[Gormy Cuss]

11. There's your answer.

Unique and hand-made. Now just find it.
:thumbsup:

Seriously, don't second guess your ability to find something to their liking. You know them. Trust your gut.

[tigereye]

22. yeah, that usually works! Thanks!

[Curtland1015]

3. Are they going on a honeymoon?

When my best friends got married, they registereed at the travel agents. That way, people paid into their honeymoon instead of getting them a bunch of kitchen stuff they already had.

It's still giving money, in a way... but you know it's on something they'll enjoy.

This of course assumes they ARE going on a honeymoon.

If that's not personal enough for you, you could always get them a ceramic dog statue. They always seemed to do well in the old Wheel of Fortune showcase.

:P

[tigereye]

5. well, that's a good idea - I don't know that they have one planned yet

since she is going away to watch her sister's kid the next day (I don't know what the reasoning is on that one), but maybe a fund for that would be good!



Aha- ceramic dog statue! :rofl: It's not that kind of post-modernist wedding- it's at a lovely farm b and b type setting - but I'll keep the dog statue in mind for the next hipster wedding I attend!

[HopeHoops]

4. A clever cookie jar or a gumball machine (on a stand).

Those are the two most memorable things we got. The cookie jar is like an ice cream cone (the papery type with the flat bottom). The gumball machine is our surrogate Christmas tree when we travel or don't have space to put up a tree that year. It still has red and green M&Ms in it (and they are still good).

[tigereye]

6. that's clever - I never would have thought of those!

[Bunny]

7. I think the Italian platter sounds great, especially since they have all the basic stuff.

:thumbsup:

[tigereye]

23. it's really nice to receive something lovely that you might not buy for

yourself = or wouldn't spend the money on


Hey Bunny! How are ya?

[bif]

8. $

[Callalily]

9. A gift certificate

to their favorite restaurant. Or if they are planning a honeymoon, search restaurants in that area and purchase a gift certificate there.

Good luck!

[The empressof all]

10. For these kinds of marriages--I steer away from more stuff

If they drink, a great bottle of champagne and a couple of nice glasses is always appreciated.

I also go for giving experiences:

I have given couples Massages, Spa Treatments, and Hot Air Balloon Rides (more affordable than you think)


I'm at an age though where the last thing I need is more stuff so unless it's something I know someone really wants...I go for giving them a "moment"

[tigereye]

24. yeah, I was thinking about the spa, since the bride always takes care of

other people, and I thought she deserved some pampering!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

12. Candlesticks always make a nice gift.

[Arugula Latte]

13. I know what we wanted the most ... Money.

The best things in life are free
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want

Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want

:P

[calico1]

14. We always give cash..

and especially if it is not the first marriage. I went to a friend's wedding last week. Second for both. We gave cash as did almost everyone else. I only saw one gift on the table.

[bridgit]

15. flannel bedding?

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=8634&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1

[tigereye]

25. no that's a nice idea!

[demmiblue]

16. An old-fashioned picnic basket, or a modern picnic pack.

Or cash!

[pitohui]

17. it's as good a gift as any

when people have lived together for a long time before getting married, i don't understand why they accept gifts -- hubby and i sure didn't, not even from my mom! :-)

cash is insulting, either they're adults by now or they're not

most "starting out in life" stuff that you see on wedding registries is crap that never gets used (silver, etc) or crap they already have if they're living together (food processor)

the italian platter is OK if it's a work of art as much as a platter

but what's probably best is what another poster suggested about giving a consumable (a good champagne) or an experience (massage, assuming they like massages, i actually hate strange people touching on my body but that's unusual i'm sure) -- something that doesn't take up room in the house that's already crowded is fine

older couples don't need more stuff and if they need cash, they should prob. work on fixing the lack of cash prob. before they do a wedding anyway


but i'll be real honest, since we accepted NO gifts what we usually do is just send a card

yah, even to my siblings! but you have to be a little eccentric and be willing to get a card if that's the road you take -- it doesn't piss off people who know me because, well, they know me

if somebody has a destination wedding, it's a built-in excuse not to attend and to get on the hook for all kinds of expenses, i just say i can't make it and send a card

but the platter sounds as good as anything, since apparently they do expect gifts in your situation

they sure don't need a toaster or a blender etc. this time of century, if they're like the rest of us

[tigereye]

26. well, since they have lived together for a long time, it's kind of nice to

give them some of the traditional gifts that they may not have received before, since they weren't married.


I did go with the platter, actually, since it was a one of a kind, hand-made import. It was lovely and my SIL- to- be is a foodie and appreciates good quality, so it seemed like a good symbol of love and bounty, as well as something they can use for a long time AND put in the dishwasher!



But I understand your points.

[azmouse]

18. Definitely give a gift.

The platter sounds lovely. Don't try for anything too practical.

I've been married for 22 years and I still fondly use the gifts I received, and enjoy the memories of the people who gave the gifts.
Useless they really, really need cash it just doesn't stay in the heart the way a loving gift does.

[tigereye]

27. exactly! We have stuff here that folks gave us when we were married

that we still associate with those folks. It's just a nice feeling.


My mom used to give those pewter bread trays with the saying on them, I think things like that are a nice symbol of abundance.

[KittyWampus]

19. Candle Holders?

[mnhtnbb]

20. My nephew is getting married--right now in Vegas--and they didn't register

either. Said they had a lot of stuff and simply wanted the 'presence' of friends. Well, I wasn't buying
plane tickets and two nights hotel! Besides that, we had to move my youngest son into the dorms this morning.

We're sending them a piece of pottery that my husband makes. Handmade and unique. If they don't like it
they can give it to Goodwill.

[tigereye]

28. I love handmade stuff - we have given a lot of pottery over ther years, since

I am kind of a pottery/ceramic fiend. I love receiving things like that.



"If they don't like it, they can give it to Goodwill!" :rofl:

[joneschick]

21. favorite gift rec'd

was a kaleidoscope. We've given them as gifts numerous times too. Most people have been very intrigued by the gift & enjoyed them for many years. The one we recd became the first in a small, wonderful collection. :hi: