Wedding Gift-Need Ideas

[marvholly]

Have a friend getting married in 5 weeks, 2nd for both (widowers). I would like to give them a gift (am invited to wedding) but have no clue what. They have everything they want/need. They do not travel. They do not eat out (dietary issues) so no gc there. They do not/have no interest in movies so Netfix or gc for movies/DVDs is out. This is an unbudgeted gift but I am willing to do up to $50 OOP.

[lurkyloo]

How do you know them, and what do they like to do? I always try to tie gifts into a known interest. If that's a dead end, an Amazon gift card is pretty multipurpose--they sell just about everything! Or, if you know enough about their dietary issues, you could consider putting together a homemade gift basket designed around their needs; that makes a nice "I care about you and put a lot of thought into wishing you well" kind of statement.

[chiver78]

do they have any charities they support? you could donate to one in their names, and then give them the "thank you" confirmation.

[Deleted]

This is one of those "go sentimental" occasions" Find a poem about 2nd chances at lifelong happiness and have it engraved on something nice then can display. Have their names and wedding date put on it too.

[Deleted]

If they are moving into a new house maybe a lowe's or home depot gift card, you always need that stuff in a new place. If they like wine or champagne, find a good bottle. A gift I like to give sometimes is a crystal bowl from Tiffany. One of my favorite gifts was a nicely matted and framed invitation - she used the invitation we had sent out.

[Gardening Grandma]

I'd find out if they are registered somewhere. That always makes it easy. If not, then I'd give them a nice set of monogrammed towels. When DH went to the wedding of some longtime, very well off, friends, he gave them a bottle of Dom Perignon.

[dragonfly7]

If you know what the dietary issues are, maybe a gift card to a store that has a section that caters to those needs. If they haven't yet combined households, help with moving. Since they don't like movies, what do they go out and do instead? For example, DH and I would love it if someone gave us a year's membership to the zoo or a science center so we could visit whenever we liked instead of waiting for a special occasion.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Do they drink? If so, some wine would be a good gift and if you can find a very good bottle of wine that should be drunk about 5 years from now, it might be something worth getting for them.

Is there a local gourmet market nearby? We have a Fresh Market, which I would love to be able to shop at regularly, but it costs a lot. They have an awesome seafood case, so a gift card to someplace like this.

Do they read? Barnes and Noble gift card could be a nice thing to get. Subscriptions to magazines perhaps? A gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond?

[marvholly]

I am aware of her dietary issues but no clue as to his. Eliminates grocery & resturaunt gift cards.
Wine is out as they do not drink.

I am thinking either a book store gift card (they both take classes) or a charitable donation in their names (not even sure if she is changing hers).

[happyscooter]

Could you arrange to have fresh flowers delivered to them for 3 months after the wedding on their 'anniversary'?

Or fix a basket of items for 1 meal? Something they can both eat.

[sarcasticgirl]

i don't care what anyone says but cash is always an awesome gift.

When I got married this summer we had a modest registry (mostly at the insistance of friends/family) but didn't need much as DH and I have been living on our own for years. Most of our gifts were $$$ and it was awesome to be able to stash the cash and splurge on a few bigger items we wanted for our home.

the problem with trying to go sentimental or picking a nice bowl/frame, etc. is that you MUST know the couples taste to tee. otherwise, you risk buying them something they'll never use and that's a waste of money. we have a small stash of crystal bowls/vases and a few photo frames that do not coordinate with our decor. they're the exact opposite, actually. so honestly, the only thing we can do is donate them. i feel bad... but what else can ya do?

[973beachbum]

Jan 23, 2011 13:39:14 GMT -5 @rosebaby said:

If they are moving into a new house maybe a lowe's or home depot gift card, you always need that stuff in a new place. If they like wine or champagne, find a good bottle. A gift I like to give sometimes is a crystal bowl from Tiffany. One of my favorite gifts was a nicely matted and framed invitation - she used the invitation we had sent out.

I would go with this idea and make it a good bottle of wine that is the vintage of the year they are married. I would include a sappy card as Later put it that says something about since it is such a great year.

Even people who don't drink would probably enjoy it as they can put the bottle on a shelf and when they see it it would be a nice memory of their wedding.

[vonnie6200]

What ever you get - if you could include a gift receipt - they could exchange it for something they really want.

[merryheart]

Is there a decent photo studio nearby that you might get a gift certificate for them? My area has a a chain studio that is actually quite good and they have a regular "special" that gets several printed photos (1 pose) for $10. If you want more than one pose, it can easily get pricey and a $50 gift certificate could go a long way. Maybe they would enjoy having a less formal photo session of the two of them.