Any wedding gift ideas for a young couple?
 

We have been invited to my dh's third cousin's wedding via a phone call from the grandmother. I tend to go practical with gifts. Curious what type of things you like to give. I've enjoyed gifting quilts in the past, but usually to closer family members plus time is getting short. I'm thinking of an assortment of everyday kitchen items (i.e. cookie sheet, timer, cookie scoop, mixer, cutting board, etc.) plus a basic cookbook or homemade apron. I'd prefer to give them something to open versus $ or a gift card, but it's tricky not duplicating a small appliance, etc. Without a written invitation, I'm unsure of any registry. THX for any ideas/input. :-)

I agree that you want to avoid duplicate small appliances, but it's so hard to think of anything original. I used to give ice cream makers, especially to very young couples who will be cash-strapped and still needing to make friends in a new community. I always figured the ice cream maker would give them an excuse to invite new friends over and make ice cream. We always got lovely thank you notes, but I don't know if any ice cream ever got made.

Probably the coolest gift we received that wasn't on our registry was a gorgeous Pendleton blanket. DH is huddled under it right now, watching football.

I think your idea is brilliant!! Many years ago we were invited to a wedding when money was in short supply!! I knew the couple would receive some top quality presents from other guests! I bought a colourful bucket and filled it with cleaning items!! A washing line, pegs, floor and dish cloths, washing up liquid, rubber gloves etc!! I wrapped it in beautiful paper and bows!! They were thrilled!! Everything they got was very decorative...but they thanked me for being practical!!!!

I'm assuming they will be wed in their small country church with a casual gathering in the church hall afterward. To be honest, I'm a little miffed to have been invited by phone indirectly - felt like an afterthought - especially since it did not come directly from the bride though she is a sweetheart.

You'll never, ever go wrong if you give cash. I always feel that making quilts etc. is a bit risky.... what I like, someone else may wrinkle their nose at and bury at the bottom of a drawer. Since everything is SO expensive these days, who couldn't use the extra money?

If they are just starting living together they would not have a supply of spices and food flavoring. When my house burned someone I didn't even know brought over a box with spices and flavorings just starting all over it was a much appreciated gift however if they have been living together they pprobably wouldn't need this.

Would you have time to make some nice place mats, and maybe napkins? Then, included a small check for 'dinner', if you wanted to spend more.

I think you have a great idea although all those little items can add up to quite a big bill. When I go to any event I try to wrap gifts in something useful rather than use gift bags or wrapping paper. The last wedding shower I went to I wrapped a set of sheets in bath towels and used the hand towels and wash clothes as the "bow" or rose on top. The quilt I gave them for the wedding was in a decorative box they could use for storage at home. They loved both. Baby shower gifts I wrap in receiving blankets or hooded bath towels. Just a little extra gifting that I enjoy.

I made the girl from church a casserole carrier and she said that was her favorite gift. All growing up she said she was going to have a potluck reception for her wedding because she loved potlucks so much. In the end her mom wouldn't let her. I gave her the carrier because I knew she would use it at her new church. I also have her placemats and napkins at the wedding. The carrier was for the shower. Add the dish and your favorite recipe.

You are so right about it adding up. When my granddaughter married last year, I had lots of fun putting together a "Cookie Box" for her. She loves to bake and I put these items and more into a lidded plastic box and mailed it to her shower. I was told it was a big hit and that everyone stopped when she opened it: Williams Sonoma cookie cookbook, baking sheets, silpat, cookie scoops, cookie cutters, kitchen timer, mixing spoon and spatula, mixing bowl, cooling rack, measuring cups/spoons, everything cookie-related. I have no idea how much it cost and wouldn't care, but probably $150 or so.

A idea I have used is pillow cases, table runner or a bed runner. It's a little more personable! But I'm sure whatever you decide,they will love it!
God bless

One of the go-to gifts that DH and I give to newly marrieds is a tool box with assorted hand tools...screw driver set, pliers, hammer and the like. Very useful, practical and rarely duplicated.

A nicely decorated 10 minute table runner, two quilted placemats, crocheted "name" doilies and the couple gets to frame as desired, basket of drink mixes and a pair of cups, basket of cookie mixes and cookie cutters or cookie sheet(s). They won't get duplicates of these.

My favorite newly wed gift is Christmas Stockings. I usually make them differ, but using the same fabrics. Always seem to be a big hit. I have even made matching ones when they have had babies.

I have given "Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" as wedding gifts and everyone seems to love the idea. I usually give an antique bowl or dish bought from a thrift store but still beautiful, something new is maybe an ice cream scooper or whatever comes to my mind, something borrowed is a $5 bill and something blue is whatever I see that is blue. I do this when a gift is expected but I don't want to spend much.

One of my favorite gifts to a couple is a bit out of the ordinary, but will eventually come in handy. I like to gift a set of oil lamps and a bottle of oil to go with them. Very doubtful that this gift will be duplicated.
I must admit I have a small collection of all shapes and sizes, antique and new oil lamps myself. I have used them many times over the years during electrical storms. I put one in kitchen sink, and keep one in my big bathroom and put it in the tub, no worry about a fire in either place.
I gave a set of lamps and bottle of oil to my youngest neice at her Bridal Shower- the questioning look on her face when she opened them reminded me of the credit card ad-priceless-but when I mentioned I knew she would be living in Houston, Tx, and there are hurricanes there at times, as well as power shortages all over the country , and these would come in handy some time or another. She said that was cool!! My daughter later ask for a set for Christmas.

I have given a small quilt specifically for use in the car.
It's a good idea to have one handy in the car especially if you live in a cold climate and could get stranded on the road. It's not a quilt you'd be concerned about matching their decor.

I often do a laundry basket. Put paper towels or TP in the bottom to kind of fill it up without going to pricey. Then you can put any little items all around the top. Stacked correctly and wrapped up in colored cellophane with a big bow it looks like a big gift without breaking the budget.

I generally include all kinds of items that every house can use, but doesn't have to match anything. Cookie sheets, measuring spoons, bandaids, dryer sheets, thank you cards, Hamburger Helper type dinners, family recipe cards, pictures I may have from when the bride or groom was little, picture hangers, tack hammer, etc.

Depending on your basket size you can go as crazy as you want or you can keep it down to a minimum without looking cheap.

First I would call the mothers of the bride and groom to get an idea of what they are needing. Somethings do not get put on the registry list.

You mentioned the couple is young. Dh's niece got married in 2010, they were a young couple only a year out of high school, starting from scratch. They were registered and one of the things on the list was a game for their game system. It was the perfect gift from an Uncle who works in Technology. We bought an extra controller too.

They opened gifts the day after the wedding, you should have seen the groom's face when they opened the box. He was thrilled to get something fun.

Later the bride's Mum commented that they felt uncertain about putting a game on the registry. We figured it gave them a source of inexpensive entertainment.

Anymore the safest way to go is a money card ...

I agree gift cards are always safe. I also like to give sets of towels in white or off white. We received 2 sets of towels for our wedding many years ago. Dark burnt orange and cranberry! never used either set as they didn't go with anything we had and could not return them.

I would call whomever invited you and see where they're registered. If you want to give them something THEY want, it will be on this list. They may have potholders, towels and cleaning supplies. But you will see that perhaps they DON'T have a skillet, serving bowls or wine glasses - something that will be on their list. A lot of my sons friends have been getting married lately, and I know they do appreciate receiving they want - or gift cards from the places they are registered to get what they need. With so many couples living together these days, they may have already merged two residences and have a lot. The year we got married - many years ago - cheese trays were all the rage. We got about 5. I'm sure everyone who gave us one thought we would love it, but if there had been a registry of stuff other than just china in those days, they could have purchased something we could use.

I think your idea is a good one. When our friends' son got married out of state, we wanted to get something from the registry and have it shipped to them. By the time we got around to it, all the "good stuff" was already purchased so we got a bunch of the small stuff like cookie sheets, measuring cups, rolling pin, etc. After the wedding, they had a reception in town where the couple told us that they loved our gift. The store had wrapped each item individually so when they opened the big box they had a bunch of small packages. They said it was like Christmas morning. We also got the nicest thank you note from them about the fun they had opening it.

I always give a check. Cash can get "lost" but the couple must cash the check. If I don't get the cancelled check back within 3 months, I usually will call the couple (or parents if that's whom I am friends with) to see if there was a problem. Most folks like getting money - the can buy what they need or want with it. Just my opinion...


Anita

My weeding day is in Oct (32 year ago) and I remember getting a much appreciated gift - a box full of Christmas decorations. Something handmade could be included
Of course, one would have to know the young couple's beliefs before giving this.

I usually give the newly weds a Fire Proof Box, it's some thing they can always use for Marriage License, Car titles, Birth Certificates and any other valuable papers. I've always been thanked for this type of gift.

My Grand-son got married in August. They appreciated the gift certificates they received the most. That way they are able to buy the things they need in the colors they want.

When I read your post, I picked up on the fact of 'how' you were invited. Was everyone else invited the same way? Maybe no one got formal invitations. If you really want to be practical, give them laundry detergent, fabric softener, bathroom soap, dish soap. It can add up and they'd really get good use of all of it.

Years ago, when someone was expecting (before I knew how to quilt), I'd give the new parents diapers and wipes...also for 1rst and 2nd birthdays. They all LOVED how practical I was and even requested the same gift the next year. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Yesterday I called the grandmother for gift ideas and told her we just received a beautiful photo invitation in the mail. That really pleased me. I learned the bride-to-be has had 5 or 6 showers so many of my ideas would be redundant. But she is saving up money to buy a stove she wants. They are moving into an older home the groom's grandmother owns. Obviously, she is wanting to update so $ seem to be best. I still may give her a nice cookbook or make an apron too.

Christmas items for their new home? Depends if they have had homes of their own before the wedding.

We are invited to our neighbor's daughter's wedding next week. I asked the bride what they needed. She told me the stores they are registered at, so I checked. I decided since they said "we have everything we need," that a gift card and nice card was my best bet. It is easier than taking back duplicates. Besides, they lived together for 4 yrs., so have been accumulating things for their home. Mariah.

My late mother had the best wedding present idea ever. Postage stamps. Even in this technological age, postage is a hidden cost of a wedding and beginning married life. She usually gave a roll (or 2) of stamps as her gift. It was easy to buy, easy to wrap, easy to mail even. It matched everything, never had to be dusted or put out on display when the giver comes to visit. My mother never had to go to a bridal registry. Even in rural areas like ours, the post office is usually handy! Many brides recalled her generosity each time they had to go buy their own postage and many told her so since she was the Postmistress!

I use the stamp books especially when I have to mail a wedding RSVP and cannot attend. I just tuck them in. If I go to a shower, I usually tape the stamps to the bottom of a shirt or other box so that they aren't easily lost. They are always a hit!

I have two "go to" gifts for this situation, if I don't want to shop from a registry or they don't have one. A set of really nice silver picture frames in several sizes or pottery. I assume they will have pictures from the wedding that they will want to display, and a nice pottery serving bowl or platter will not be duplicated by anyone else. I've always gotten wonderful responses to each gift.

I have given glass pitchers as wedding gifts. You can find them in the price range that fits your budget. A nice glass pitcher can be used when you have guests over or as a flower vase.

Just the regular kitchen items sounds great.My sisters and I gave a shower for my nephew and wrote the invites which stated we were helping to fill the pantry and stock the landry room, it was a real hit.We also decorated with items like bowls, spoons, dish towels, measuring cups, collinders, placemats ,spices and ect. These gifts are needful and can help the couple save money after the wedding.Besides sometimes they forget that life and all the messiness starts the minute they get home.Just place things you buy in a bucket or dish pan that can be used also and tie with a pretty bow, no wrapping needed.

Around here everyone expects money, equal too or more than the amount of the dinner! So if it's a really fancy wedding it is very expensive. Evidently, this is how they pay for the reception. I liked it better when you could make something or give them a plate in their china pattern. (Now i doubt they even have special china!)