Knowing what to buy as wedding gifts today can be a challenging thing. Traditionally, wedding gifts were meant to be items that the couple, newly formed and moving into living quarters together, would need to furnish and accessories their home. A lot has changed in the past few decades, making the choice of wedding gifts to purchase for newlyweds an especially difficult decision. Many couples intending to get married have already been living together for some time, which means they may not need any gifts at all.
On the other end of the spectrum, the bride and groom to be should purchase wedding gifts as tokens of appreciation for their bridal party, and this too, can be just as challenging. A gift is a nice way to say thank you for the support for the upcoming day and the event of marriage itself, but many couples wonder what gift to purchase.
To avoid purchasing wedding gifts that won't be wasted, and will be appreciated by bride and groom or by the members of the wedding party, keep these considerations in mind:
Purchase gifts that reflect the individual's interests and likes. Find out if the person has a hobby or enjoys a certain activity, and purchase a wedding gift related to that interest. The fact that you didn't buy something banal or easy will go a long way and will make spending the money worth it.
Money itself can be considered an option for a wedding gift. Many people today live with tight budgets, or could be saving up for something that is a big expense. Giving an envelope of some money with a note that you'd like to contribute to expenses or help towards saving up for that special purchase isn't tacky or in poor taste.
However, though, some people feel uncomfortable giving or receiving money. In that case, offer gift certificates. Gift certificates give the person or couple the ability to purchase something they like or want without anyone feeling as if they're receiving a hand-out. Gift certificates to restaurants are also a nice touch, as it provides people with a way to have a quiet evening together at low cost.
Avoid purchases of wedding gifts that aren't practical or functional. While many knickknacks look pretty and can be attractive, it's a better choice to find a gift that the person or couple can use. Knowing what they already have is a good clue for gift ideas, as you can stay away from things already purchased, buy items the person or couple mention they wished they had, or replace older items with brand new, up-to-date ones.
Sentimental gifts can be a good idea. Finding a gift that represents a special moment you shared with the person, or something that brings back memories of a time past may be appreciated more than you know. Gifts that involve emotion aren't always easy to find, though, and you may end up spending a lot of time searching for the perfect gift, only to find that you have to settle for something else at the last minute.
Do stay away from gifts that are practical and functional, but that can only be used on special occasions. If the recipient(s) of your gift can only use it once or twice a year, you may have wasted your money, especially if the gift is forgotten from having to be put in storage or a jewelry box.
Lastly, put some thought into your gift. It's too easy for busy-minded people to grab the first thing that seems good. Often, the item is something that has been well marketed with flash and bling, and the gift may appear low quality or second rate when taken from the store or received off the website. Remember that weddings are big money-makers, and some businesses will do anything to sell their products. Make sure the wedding gifts you buy are ones that won't be wasted.
About the author
Anne Sutantyo started a wedding gift store in 2003 to provide unique
personalized gifts for bridesmaids and
groomsmen. Today, the store offers hundreds of unique gifts selection such as
personalized handbags, engravable Swarovski jewelry, business card holder,
golf gifts and more.
