wedding gifts?

twinjackienurse · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey Everyone,
I want to get my cousins something unique for their weddings coming up. Like someone got my husband and i a door knocker with our last name engraved on it and someone else got us a mirror with our name on it. Any ideas?? Whats the best thing you got for your wedding?

ScrimpAndSave · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 05:13 AM

I would definitely go to theknot.com or weddingchannel.com to see if the couple is registered. If they aren't, I would give money.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:49 AM

If you're thinking of giving a last-name emblazoned item, you might want to find out first if the couple will be using a single last name.

meatloafkend · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:51 AM

Gifts are wonderful, but I always liked it when we received money for out wedding. You could give a unique wedding gift by making a money tree. There are lots of tutorials online.

kork13 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 08:00 AM

I'm of the opinion that wedding gifts should always be USEFUL before "cute", especially for young newlyweds. I mean, a personalized door knocker is very nice, but I see wedding gifts as things that should be able to be used to put together their new home. A good set of pots/pans or kitchen knives are great. While 'unique' is distinctive, it may not always be needed. I think if you can find something unique that also serves a necessary purpose for them, awesome.

That's why so much, money is always appreciated--it allows the couple to determine what they really want/need. You don't want to buy them a piece of furniture for fear they may not like it or it would clash with what they have, but give them money for it and they can pick out something they like.
May not be very helpful for answering your original question, but just my honest opinion....

disneysteve · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

I would definitely go to theknot.com or weddingchannel.com to see if the couple is registered. If they aren't, I would give money.

I don't see anything wrong with giving an item instead of money IF you know the couple well enough to know their taste and how their home is decorated. You don't want to give someone a frilly Victorian picture frame if they have ultra-modern decor in their home, for example. We've often given items, sometimes off the registry, sometimes not, but only to folks who we knew well enough to select a gift for that we knew they would appreciate.

Coleroo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:38 AM

The best things I received as a newlywed was....

Big "thirsty" towels
Basket of kitchen utensils
(Expensive) Toaster Oven
6 Quart Crock Pot
Money

Granted, I had never set up housekeeping before so I needed those basics.

gamecock43 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:48 AM

How about a scrapbook? of the couples courtship? You can get pics from friends and family...

QueenOphelia · #9 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:49 AM

I still can't get used to the fact that many people receive things...and not cash for wedding gifts.

I give things for showers and engagement parties, but for weddings...cash all the way!

disneysteve · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QueenOphelia

I still can't get used to the fact that many people receive things...and not cash for wedding gifts.

Lots and lots of couples sign up for a bridal registry to let guests know what items they would like to receive. I thought that was a pretty common custom. At least is has been around here for years. We've been married 16 years and I know we registered at Macy's and got many gifts from our registry.

kork13 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Lots and lots of couples sign up for a bridal registry to let guests know what items they would like to receive. I thought that was a pretty common custom. At least is has been around here for years. We've been married 16 years and I know we registered at Macy's and got many gifts from our registry.

Agreed, registries are a great way to get them something you know they want. Alot of times when they send invitations/announcements, they'll list where they have registries, or include a note along the lines of "If you'd like to know where we have registries, let us know". Then people can give them something without fear that it won't be appreciated.

Note for buying from registries.... SAVE RECEIPTS! Ask for a gift receipt (from the cashier). That way, if you get something that somebody else also got, the couple can return the duplicate for something they do need.

Johansen8 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 08:27 PM

a door knocker is always nice with their last name and year

how about a honeymoon cruise? wow

AsiaTraveler · #13 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008, 08:32 AM

One thing NOT to buy- picture frames, especially tabletop ones. We received so many picture frames for our shower/wedding, there are still some that are not in use. It's especially a problem when they are engraved/say things like, "your wedding day..." How many pictures of our wedding day will we need long term? The reason I mentioned tabletop ones is that as a young newlywed, we were living in a modest townhouse- not a lot of available "display" space. Much more useful are hanging ones- we have more wall space.

disneysteve · #14 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kork13

Note for buying from registries.... SAVE RECEIPTS! Ask for a gift receipt (from the cashier). That way, if you get something that somebody else also got, the couple can return the duplicate for something they do need.

Very good advice. When we got married, we received 4 crockpots. We checked out that could happen since they were all bought at the store we had registered at. Turns out they were all purchased on the same day and the registry wasn't updated until the end of business each day.

cptacek · #15 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsiaTraveler

One thing NOT to buy- picture frames, especially tabletop ones. We received so many picture frames for our shower/wedding, there are still some that are not in use. It's especially a problem when they are engraved/say things like, "your wedding day..." How many pictures of our wedding day will we need long term? The reason I mentioned tabletop ones is that as a young newlywed, we were living in a modest townhouse- not a lot of available "display" space. Much more useful are hanging ones- we have more wall space.

I agree. We registered for the same kind of picture frames in different sizes (wood grain with a mat) and my new SIL got one off the registry for us but everyone else got us frilly silver ones, which I probably won't use.

Between us we had three crock pots before we got married and got two more as gifts.

Also agree on the "wedding" themed gifts. You prepare for your wedding for months before hand and at least for me, after the day, you are ready to start living the rest of your life, not reliving that one day.

zakity · #16 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 01:23 PM

I like the scrapbooking idea.

I know of someone who gave the couple a "coupon" for a scrapbook of their wedding. After the wedding, the bride sent her a bunch of pictures and various "bits" of things you would put in a scrapbook. She made them a whole scrapbook with the pictures and the bits (invitation, a napking with their names and the date on it, pieces of ribbons that were her wedding colors, etc). The lady had also secretly gotten pictures of them before the wedding (candids from freinds) and some of them together before they got married. I didn't see it, but I heard that it was really cool.

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