Creative Wedding Gift Ideas
Thursday September 4, 2008
When you go to more than four weddings a year, giving the same old pair of candlesticks gets to be pretty boring. I'm looking forward to the two weddings I'm going to in the next few weeks, and starting to shop amongst their registry items. These include the standard stainless steel place settings, colanders and whisks, and the aforementioned candlesticks. Their other guests must be on the ball, because most of the "good items" are gone. Fortunately, there's no reason that I or other guests have to be boring! Liven things up by choosing a creative gift and pairing it with a witty card. Here are my creative suggestions for wedding gift ideas. You might also want to check out my Top 5 Wedding Gift Ideas. What do you think is #1???
Comments
You are right that many couples do not need toasters or place settings — or even surprising luxuries such as those on your list. We let guests know that we had some favorite charities that were always happy for contributions by changing the “Registries” tab on our wedding website template to read “In Lieu of a Registry.” Several charities created special web pages on their own sites to make it easy for contributors and for us to know whom to thank. We raised an amount in the 5 figures — far more valuable to us than any material objects, except those handmade by our artistic guests.
Fifty-something friends who have recently been married have also directed us toward charitable contributions.
What about gifts for the wedding party? Something different than the typical engraved flask?
Nina’s idea about a wedding gift that stands the test of time is a good one. Here’s a suggestion for a gift that will be appreciated now and cherished for a lifetime: turn the couple’s wedding invitation into a unique framed keepsake. Purple Raincoat, my business, will be happy to create a one-of-a-kind work of art that showcases the invitation and captures the spirit of a wedding day. They may not remember who gave them their placesettings, but they will always remember who gave them their Purple Raincoat invitation collage. You won’t be bored buying it, and they won’t get anything else like it. Visit http://www.purpleraincoat.com to see samples and get inspired.
Who is the wedding do you give gifts too? Parents, grandparents, guets book attendents, where does the list stop?
I personally love #4. Specifically, my gift to my sister and her husband was a wedding scrapbook. It took a long time to make, but I loved every minute of it and it came out great! I included photos of both growing up (I had to get in touch with his Mom for those!), a print out of the lyrics of their wedding song, and any other mementos I could find. It was a such a labor of love, and I think they really appreciated it.