Recommend a wedding gift

[Broken Arrow]

So I've been invited to this wedding that I may or may not be able to attend, but I still want to get them a gift. They're a "green" couple so, anyone have any suggestions on something that's useful for newlyweds, is environmentally friendly, and won't cost too much? Thanks.

[crabbypatty]

They didn't register?

[Ima saver]

Sorry, I always just send a check.

[tinapbeana]

it's not that uncommon to not register: i didn't. then again, my wedding was a bit non-conformist...

BA, perhaps you could researching an Adopt an X program. i read about the hemlock blight on the east cost a couple of months ago, and there was a program where you would 'adopt a hemlock' on the appalachain trail. you could go visit it and camp, etc...

[boefixepa]

A nice card on recycled paper with the $$ you can afford. I registared because I felt I 'had' to. I wanted to give people the option I guess. But really I don't care if it's just the card, $5, or $100. What I'm dreading is trying to figure out how to exhange things I don't want/need and then having a pile of stuff that I have no idea what to do with. At least with the money I can pay that inital $140 set up fee for the high speed internet hubby has to have or pay the wedding it's self off....that's just me.

[baking23]

Green couples, or people, would probably love anything form this catalog. It's all green things, sustainable agriculture, but a bit pricey. If you can go in with a few people for sheets or towels, or any of their tons of housewhere stuff, I'm sure they'd love it.

Gaiam.com - Live a Healthy, Eco-Friendly Existence

[creditcardfree]

Even a gift card to that site would be nice. They could appy it and other cash towards something they would like.

My sister in law is getting married. They are paying for the wedding themselves and don't have money for honeymoon. We are getting them a two night stay at the hotel of her choice. Actually, it is already arranged. They are bringing three kids to the marriage, so the kids get to go the next night and swim in the pool! It will be relaxing beginning to the marriage...we hope.

[LuxLiving]

I give a glass serving tray to most wedding couples unless they are family or very close friends. Can be bought most anywhere from $5-15 and if you stick with clear glass then it can be used with most any decorating motif.

[fairy74]

I agree with baking 23, you may also try ecomall they have a lot of good stuff or greenfeet (both have good sales sections as well)

[pearlieq]

I give a glass serving tray to most wedding couples unless they are family or very close friends. Can be bought most anywhere from $5-15 and if you stick with clear glass then it can be used with most any decorating motif.

I know everyone has their own way, and I'm not saying this as an attack on this poster, but I don't wouldn't recommend doing this and I don't think it's good advice.

My reasons:

1.) A gift should be given out of affection, not obligation. Unless someone I know happens to be a glass platter fanatic, this strikes me as a very impersonal gift. It doesn't show any sensitivity to what they might actually like or want.

2.) It might be more acceptable if we're talking about a cake and punch reception in the church basement, but I would never dream of repaying someone's hospitality for dinner and entertainment with a $15 gift! I know wedding are about celebrating an occasion, and of course one shouldn't buy a gift they can't afford. But if someone has the means to give more but instead opts for a $15 gift, meanwhile enjoying the open bar, plated dinner, and dancing, to me that seems like taking advantage of the newlyweds. It's bad form.

Lux, I normally really enjoy your posts and have heard you give lots of sound advice, but I just can't get on board with this one. I think it's wrong.

[LuxLiving]

Well perlieq, that's okay that you disagree - however, most of the wedding receptions in my part of the country ARE in the church basement/dining hall and there is no dinner, dancing or open bar. And no, I generally can't afford to gift more than that without it seriously affecting my family's financial welfare - we are/have been a family of 7 surviving on one very minimal salary.

[fairy74]

I give a glass serving tray to most wedding couples unless they are family or very close friends. Can be bought most anywhere from $5-15 and if you stick with clear glass then it can be used with most any decorating motif.

I think that's great. My first husband and I got lots of stuff we didn't register for as gifts and we were thrilled to get it. We found a use for every single thing we got. A glass tray is a great gift for entertaining.

[fairy74]

a few more thoughts: Cost Plus World Mart has a large selection of organic/fair trade goods and at a good price or perhaps a gift certificate to a natural foods store (bread and circus, whole foods, new horizons, etc...)

[jIM_Ohio]

I have 3 types of wedding gifts

Family I like or friends I like get in excess of $100 always cash
Family or friends get between $50 and $75
**Others get recycled gifts (gifts given to me which I don't want, like the glass platter mentioned above) which were given to us which we didn't want. Last one married gets the worst gifts.

** my wife does not agree with the third one, but the good news is after doing it once or twice, you don't get invited to weddings from your neighbor's cousins college roomate. Word gets out.

[scfr]

Find out if they registered for gifts somewhere: You can ask the couple themselves, as one of their family members, or check the major department stores in town where they live.