What should I give for a wedding present?

Question

A good friend of mine,her daughter ,is getting married and I really don't know the girl..haven't seen my friend in about 10 years ,but we are in close contact on line and phone.
So I get this wedding invite and now I don't know what I am going to get the couple?

Answer 1

Money is always nice, but so are picture frames. A nice silver plated picture frame is a nice gift. Hallmark sells nice ones.

Answer 2

A gift card would be an excellent choice! That way the couple could spend it on anything they need/want. Ask your friend where her daughter often shops/eats and get a gift card from that store/restaurant. Or you can write to the bride/groom on a nice card and ask them where they like to eat/shop so you can buy a gift card of their choice. A reasonable price to spend on a gift card would be around $50-$100. I say $50-$100 if you are bringing other people with you because $25 seems a bit cheap.

I wouldn't personally give cash as a gift to a couple I don't know very well because I'm not sure if they are just going blow it off on useless things (it's very tempting this way) or handle the money wisely. And I know people are like gonna say, once the money leaves your hands it's none of my business how they spend it. But its my hard earned money and I can't help but wonder if they are just going to blow it off like that.

I also don't personally wanna give actual gifts off the registry or anything that looks like a "dish" because it's probably going to go unused or sitting around the house or they could recycle it as next year's Christmas present or possibly even sell it. I've heard and seen this happen. So unless you're rich and don't give a dang on where your money goes, your hard earned money that you spent on that expensive "porcelein" or "china dish" goes down the drain.

This is why I highly recommend a gift card. Some of you think it's probably the tackiest wedding gift but it actually gets used the most and they will end up appreciating it more.

Answer 3

Do your cost-benefit study and then make a call based on your projected bottom line. To me a gift is only a gift if you do it unexpectedly. Otherwise its all just another business deal.

Lets be honest people get piles and piles of useless crap just because its expected. It puts uneccessary pressure on the giver AND the reciever.

It seems like we're all just too ready to be 'bent out of shape by society's pliars'.

Share your time and wisdom.

If YOU really want to give them a gift, then I would recommend not giving them anything at all, at first. Wait until you get to know them. Wait until you have a private moment together and then give them something that will be more genuine than grasping at wedding straws.

If that moment never comes then so be it. If and when it does you and they will both be much more satisfied.

Answer 4

I would suggest a type of house gift for the both of them. Or you could bring a camera and take pictures of the wedding and put them in a scrapbook/photo book and give that to them. Nothing too fancy, just decorate the front of the book with a little frill or satin with their picture on it. Even if they hire a professional photo artist, you can still get some pics of the whole wedding and put in like a scrapbook form. I am sure the pro will not want to take everyone's picture and they will miss out on something.

Answer 5

I'm guessing you have no idea what types of activities this couple participates in, or how they're going to decorate their home. I hate to be negative, but most gifts that don't come off of registries (and some on if there are duplicates) get returned. Go with the cash, and if you're in a successful relationship, some advice!

Answer 6

Find out if there is a Bridal Registry. That has saved me a few times. They can even be found online, will wrap and deliver the gift for you as well.
Otherwise, why not ask your friend what the couple might enjoy having. I'm sure mom can give you a few good ideas. Have fun shopping....:))

Answer 7

Do they have a registry? I know a lot of people scorn the registry but they are great for these situations.
You can always ask her mom but the store will keep track and help minimize the repeats.
Or there is that cool cool thing called a cheque that all young people seem to need.

Answer 8

When i got married i got a unusual gift it was a laundry basket filled with things such as bath towels cleaners trash bags laundry soap and other use full products that every person uses and are costly to bye all at one time. we relay used it and ever seance my mother in law makes that for every wedding she goes to and it has always been loved. its kind of a gift that you dont realize that you need but you do. another thing that we have made is a gift basket of things that they could take on there honey moon but that all depends on the couple.

Answer 9

All good suggestions above: registry, gift card or cash. Has anyone mentioned a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. That always comes in good on a night when newlyweds don't feel like cooking. Good luck with your quest!

Answer 10

A nice gift card to Macy's or Target or some furniture store would always be good. If giftcards are out, I would maybe buy nice white Turkish bath towels. Everyone loves big fluffly towels.

Mmmm.

Answer 11

Give them a token gift(like a tea kettle) with a gift certificate inside it from a popular department store. They will probably receive duplicates of other gifts and have to return them. The gift certificate can be used immediately for things that weren't given to them by the other wedding guests. I am no Einstein, but this seems like a safe solution, and one that will be appreciated.