What should we (as parents) get our son and his wife-to-be for a wedding present?

Question

There's plenty of things to buy on the registry--but should we do that, or give them money or something else? We want it to be special, of course, but can't afford to spend a ton of money. They are in their early 20's. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Personally, I'd ask. You might want to get them something they could remember, like a "first Christmas together" ornament to celebrate their marriage, then tuck money in with it. In my own instance, we loved getting the money because being young we didn't have alot. And if it came between a toaster oven or a check, gimme the check. I'm not trying to be callous, its just what I preferred. That money helped us pay bills and make our house look nice. That was worth more than anything wrapped in giftpaper. Any money we received came in a beautiful card. And you know what? I still have every card we were given for our wedding. They are carefully displayed in my wedding album.

If they are more financially stable, they might prefer a traditional gift. But if you ask first, you know you'll get them something (money or gift) that they'll love.

Answer 2

Your Son will know that you cannot afford to give an expensive gift so don't worry, you could write him a special letter about how you feel about him, reflect on his childhood, point out some wonderful memories you have with him, tell him you will always be there to listen and give a helping hand when you can, and end the letter by congratulating him on his choice of a Beautiful Bride and accepting her into your family would be a great privelage because you value his judgement and you always wanted to have a "Daughter" in your family. If you arent' comfortable with sharing your thoughts, then try to give them a Bond (you pay a small amount & get a bond that is almost double what you spend) to commemorate their special day. Just let him know you that care for them and will be there for them when needed. If you really need to give a gift, by all means ask what they need or want and surprise them with it, or buy a gift certificate to use at their favorite place to eat or place to stay. Just don't beat yourself up over it, enjoy sharing the day with them, as long as you are there that is all that matters!

Answer 3

Although no one will really come out and say it... what do all young married couples hope for in each stupid and cheezy card they open??? MONEY!

My husband and I just got married 6 months ago and our families didnt spend a ton of money on the wedding (didnt have to we are lds... mostly minimal cost anyways).

Our parents both gave us money that we could choose to spend how we most needed it and that was the greatest blessing ever! We really enjoyed having a "nest egg" from the wedding to get our home and such started.

So my advice... write a nice little note about how happy you are that your son has chosen your future daughter-in-law and how you are happy to have her in your family and then write a little check and say "i know it's not much, but we just want you two to get a little something that you really need!"

I mean really who needs 8 crock pots, 25 bathroom towels (when there are only 2 people!) or various crappy clocks with the last supper on them?!? (all real true gifts people!)

Answer 4

I think the more sentimental the present, the better. Particularly coming from the parents of either bride or groom. I think it is most important to your son and daughter-in-law to be, that you acknowledge and support their decision to be married. So if you can make them a really heartfelt gift, this will shine through all the more.

Maybe compile a gorgeous photo collage of your son growing up and capture it in either a frame or into a scrapbook or photo album. Make sure you have photos of your daughter in law in their also, and if you dont have many, you can always look to her family to provide you with some.

As you said there are plenty of gift choices on the registry, but you want your gift to stand out and be memorable.. if not, offer to pay for something like their wedding day photographs or book them a special night on their honeymoon at a gorgeous restraunt.. something different and out of the ordinary.

I hope they have a happy future together :)

Answer 5

I guess it depends on your budget and what you consider a ton of money.

I think a gift that combines the past and the future would be nice. Maybe you can do something creative like a book of how they came to become engaged. Get photos of both sets of parents as couples at, or as close to, their ages as possible. Write the story of how each couple met; how they knew they were "the one"
Get photos of your son and wife-to-be as babies, grade school then teenagers. Do a "Did you know..." (Did you know he had a thumb sucking problem? That she cut her own hair when she was four?); Have each parent talk about the first time they met the soon to be son/daughter-inlaw. Each parental couple should write a page about what it takes to have a good marriage, and what they've learned along the way. Maybe leave a few pages in the back and mark them "Our First Home" "Our First Anniversary" "Our Baby/Babies"

Basically, it would be a scrapbook of how they were before they met leading up to their engagement. It would offer personal stories from both sets of parents and be a wonderful keepsake for them to pass on to their children, or just to add to over their married lives. I would suggest scanning the photos on photo-quality paper so you can keep the original photographs. Maybe on the page that says "Our First Home" you can press a cluster of leaves tied with a ribbon; make a single whole-punch in the corner of an tan or green toned envelope with the words "the first twig in our nest egg" and enclose a check as a starter fund.

Answer 6

The best gift maybe to help them buy the wedding pictures or a gift of money if they have planns to use the wedding gift money for something like a down payment on a house. Talk to them and see what would be the most meaningful gift to them, they might want something little.

Answer 7

Have a quilt made for them. Not one that is already made.
Ask what there favorite colors are and seek out a high quality quilt maker. This is something they can cherish throughout their marriage and pass on to their children some day.

I was given a quilt for my wedding 20 years ago and my daughters have already started fighting over who will inherit the quilt.

Just an idea. I love mine!

Answer 8

My parents got us a piece of artwork that had a wedding scene, and had our names and date added. I think things that come from the parents should not be about money but instead about meaning. Something you have that they like would be really nice, something that can be passed down the family for years.

Answer 9

give them the money you would have spent on the gift. They need it more, and then they can use it towards the honeymoon, or housing, or could buy themselves something from the registry.

Answer 10

that's not such as you're staying in the comparable room as him. for people who see him (which I doubt, till that's an exceedingly small lodge), turn around and walk away. bypass on your room and close the door. For the breakfast buffet, get there very early or very previous due and desire which you do not run into him. or in basic terms bypass the breakfast buffet all jointly and bypass to a great interior sight eating place or a diner which includes your husband for breakfast ... in case you're predicted to connect the newlyweds at breakfast, in basic terms tell them you ought to get an early initiate and say sorry for ducking out on the breakfast, yet i'm specific they gained't care. I in basic terms have been given married and that i became down by using the breakfast buffet for practically an hour, and that i in basic terms observed a fragment of my wedding ceremony travelers there. maximum of them in basic terms grabbed somewhat bit fruit for the automobile trip and went homestead.