What to Give: Wedding Gift Ideas from $25

Erin Gates over at Elements of Style did a great post on her favorite outfits to wear to weddings this past Friday, so we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite engagement, bridal shower, and wedding gifts from Gracious Style.

What are couples looking for?  One thing is clear to us.  In a rapidly changing world, more and more couples are learning about quality at an earlier age, understanding the importance of buying right the first time, and viewing their purchases as investments that will last for years.

Also, the proliferation of first-rate hotels and restaurants have exposed us to very fine furnishings and foods and inspired us to recreate those same environments at home.  I am a good example of this.  Before starting Gracious Style, I worked in New York for Lehman Bros. and Bear Stearns. Like many of my colleagues, all of a sudden, I was dining at Le Cirque and meeting in suites at the Waldorf Astoria.  Car service was a given, and travel was filled with perks.  Though we worked around the clock anytime we traveled, we all became experts at flying business class and we knew whether the bathrooms at the Regent Beverly Wilshire were better than those at The Beverly Hills Hotel.  Our lives were changing, one thread count at a time.

What do we really need for the long term?  We need classic, beautiful, useful things that we’ll reach for again and again.  In hindsight, this is the advice I would give today.

For elegant entertaining, you can’t go wrong with a set of monogrammed cocktail napkins.  Sferra’s monogrammed napkins will help protect your tables in style, and they are just $25 for a set of four.  We love that they are the European rectangular size, so they are good for holding appetizers as well.

A set of Tudor pure Italian hemstitched linens is always a practical choice.  You can start with napkins ($20 each) and placemats ($18 each), or if you know what size tablecloth they need, this is one they will use over and over again.

Traditionalists love our Chrysanthemum linens, which come in single damask or double damask. Most people choose the single damask, which starts at $24 per napkin and $275 for tablecloths

In dinnerware, a set of Pickard’s Signature monogrammed plates is a thoughtful and romantic splurge at $250 for a five-piece setting.  You can go in with friends on this one.

Same with Varga Art Crystal’s hand-engraved toasting flutes; $135 each.

For warmth, we love our Celine brushed cotton herringbone throw.  It comes in nine colors, is perfect draped on sofas, and is a great buy for $70.

For a fabulous, out-of-this-world treat, we love our thick Burlington cashmere throws; $625 in ivory, beige, or gray.

For the bathroom, a set of three monogrammed linen hand towels is a gracious gift ($57):

Or how about a set of plush, thick robes?  The Fairfield Bath Robe is $95 each.

And if you still can’t decide?  People love to receive Gracious Style gift certificates.  They are perfect for every occasion and available in any denomination. Best of all, they can be shipped or e-mailed at no extra charge!

We hope you have a wonderful time at any event you attend.  Remember, we can ship anywhere you wish and include your greetings, so all you have to do is show up, have fun, and take lots of pictures!

Gracious Style is an online retailer of sophisticated, high-quality products for every room in the house.  We love helping others create warm and welcoming rooms for themselves.  To read more, visit our blog.

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