Wedding season is in full swing! I’ve sent in my RSVP’s, picked out my outfits but have yet to buy a gifts for my friends. There’s something impersonal to me about a wedding registry… yes, I know that one absolutely needs to have flatware and matching towels, but I feel that my friendship with the bride and groom deserves more than just an item from a list.
I suggest taking the time to think about what it is you love about the newlyweds … What do they like to do? What is a shared experience you’ve had? What tradition can you help them continue? I’ve put together five items that are inspired by some of the best couples I know.
First, I should mention that the most important part of being a thoughtful gift giver is the card. You must include a card that tells the couple how special they are to you and explain why you thought this gift would be perfect for them. Nothing beats a heartfelt message. They’ll surely hold on to the sentiment of that card whenever they use your gift.
1. Flower Vase
My friend Krystal’s husband brings her fresh flowers ever week. It’s something sweet that he’s done consistently through out their four year courtship. Sure, they have plenty of vases lying around but I got them a really special vase specifically meant to commemorate their wedding. They loved it and I often get photos from my friend of the weekly flowers in my off-registry gift.
2. Honeymoon Essentials
Weddings are expensive. My friend Janice and her husband spent three years working two jobs to pay for their wedding and reception. As you can imagine, they have not had very much time for a vacation… I knew that they were going to Fiji for their Honeymoon (and that they both hate flying) so I got them a Honeymoon Travel Kit. I included earplugs, pillow, sleep mask, tote bag, snacks, travel size sunscreen and much more. They loved it and I felt like I helped make their Honeymoon more special.
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3. Cuddly Throws
I spent a weekend in Santa Barbara in the home of a wonderful couple who has been married for 24 years. The thing that struck me the most about their home was how welcoming it felt. No matter if we were sitting around the fire under the stars or with popcorn in front of a movie, there was always a cozy throw nearby. I think this would make for a great gift for any couple that entertains, likes to stay in for movie-nights or even for those who have kids.
4. Robes
My mom got married a few months ago and she and her new husband have matching robes. I’ll admit that I made fun of them at first but then she explained that they wake up every morning, take turns making breakfast/coffee and enjoy a few moments together in their robes before they start their day. They are both incredibly busy people but they have made a promise to always start their days together like this. I think it’s a lovely tradition to start and end the day in a comfy and luxurious robe with your spouse.
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5. Love-ly Art
I am an artist, so I have been known to gift my friends either photographs, books, sculptures or paintings. This can be a little trickier than most gifts because everyone has different aesthetics and you don’t want to spend too much money on something that is not going to get used. A few years back, I found some art that I thought embodied my friend Lauren’s relationship with her husband. They were gracious enough to host me in their guest room several times so I knew their decor very well. I asked Lauren if it would be okay for me to get her some surprise artwork for their wedding, she said yes and said she could use something for over their fire place. Great! I took the dimensions and asked her a few questions about what she would prefer in terms of framing and a few weeks later they had a wonderful new piece of art that was not only a symbol of their marriage but a reminder of our friendship.
I hope my personal gifting experiences help you find a thoughtful gift for the very special couple!
For more wedding gift ideas, click here.
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