Wedding Gift Ideas

Speedy007

I've just been invited to a wedding next Saturday. I'm looking for some ideas for an appropriate gift. I have known the bride her since childhood but she is more of a friend of a friend. And I have only met the groom once before. Anyway they have a home here but will be living in the UK after they are married (his job is over there) and they have a home there too.

I'm going to the wedding alone (although will know lots of other guests) and my maximum gift budget is €70, I don't like giving the cash as it can seem a bit cheap even if its only from one person.

Please don't suggest a photo frame - everyone has already suggested that so I think they will get more than one anyway.

Thanks in advance.

bensoneb

Don't get them glasses anyway, they seem to be a very popular gift and they'll probably get loads of them. I got some nice ornaments of couples and they look fab and will always remind me of my special day.

tSubh Dearg

There's a potter called Raymond Kinghan who makes amazing animals in very vibrant colours.

http://www.formsoflife.ie/birds/animals1.htm has some of his bigger pieces but he also does really cute little birds. You can buy them in the Kilkenny shop and elsewhere.

I've given them as presents as I think they're a bit different and special especially if the couple like animals or just brightly coloured pretty things.

John Mason

newbridge silver is always a good gift or something from avoca handweavers

Emerald Lass

they are a friend of a friend, and they only "just" invited you to a wedding NEXT saturday, and you are worried about seeming cheap by giving €70!

please stop it! they should be glad of anything they can get, and although I know some people say its €150-€200 per couple I think thats nonsense. People should only be expected to give what they can afford and any bride or groom who thinks otherwise and things people are cheap for that need a slap. If a single guest at my wedding gave €70 I would be delighted and would think no less of them than anyone who gave more!

I really wouldn't be stressing about it.

As for a gift, I think a trip into Debenhams or somewhere similar would be worth a trip. I'm sure you will spot something decent for your price range.

tinkerbell

Don't be worrying about your €70 budget being considered cheap! If I was getting married, I wouldn't consider any gift to be "cheap". They are inviting you to be there as part of their special day rather than a whole money-making thing (ok so there are some couples who do this and invite more guests to pay for the wedding). You're going alone so €70 is is more than enough to give as a present. Especially in this recession when everybody is cutting back.

Give the €70 in an envelope. I'm sure they'll appreciate the extra money rather than a gift that they may not like or ever use.

Speedy007

Emerald Lass wrote: »

they are a friend of a friend, and they only "just" invited you to a wedding NEXT saturday, and you are worried about seeming cheap by giving €70!

It's not that I worried about being cheap as such, I just don't like giving cash, I'd prefer to give a "keepsake".

Thanks for all the ideas. I've been told bargains to be had in Clerys and Arnotts at the moment so I'm heading to town tomorrow - hopefully get some Egyptian cotton bed clothes in budget.

Thanks again

Emerald Lass

Speedy007 wrote: »

It's not that I worried about being cheap as such, I just don't like giving cash, I'd prefer to give a "keepsake".

well bed clothes are hardly a 'keepsake' and anyway, one persons 'keepsake' is another persons dust collector! in this day and age, and particular with the current economic climate, I think cash will be gladly accepted. I'd say the majority of brides and grooms - myself included - would rather the money than egyptian cotton sheets. Lovely as the sheets would be, I wouldn't class them as a useful or keepsake gift. So unless you have been specifically told that the couple would really like these I would go for the cash.

If someone gave me sheets I'd wish they'd given me cash TBH. I have egyptian cotton sheets I bought a while ago - and in all honesty they've been put on the bed about 3 times in over a year! lol Its almost like they are my 'good' sheets and I need an excuse to use them, so they've been left in the hotpress while the 'ordinary' sheets from Dunnes and Debenhams have been used more!

Speedy007

Emerald Lass - All I wanted was some ideas or suggestions for a wedding gift. I specified that I didn't want to give the cash, for my own reasons its not something that I am comfortable with. Although cash may mean alot to many cash strapped people, it wouldn't mean a whole lot to this particular couple.

So unless you have something useful to add, I'd rather not know your feelings on sleeping on "good sheets". I agree what one person considers a thoughtful gift is anothers idea of a dust collector.

Emerald Lass

Speedy007 wrote: »

Emerald Lass - All I wanted was some ideas or suggestions for a wedding gift. I specified that I didn't want to give the cash, for my own reasons its not something that I am comfortable with. Although cash may mean alot to many cash strapped people, it wouldn't mean a whole lot to this particular couple.

So unless you have something useful to add, I'd rather not know your feelings on sleeping on "good sheets". I agree what one person considers a thoughtful gift is anothers idea of a dust collector.

oh er - keep your hair on! In your original post you DID specifically say you didn't want to give €70 cos it seemed cheap - you didn't say that you didn't like the idea of giving cash. That is a different issue.

Secondly, you then said you wanted to give a 'keepsake' and proceeded to say you were going to buy sheets! All I was merely pointing out is that sheets are not a keepsake, and probably not practical or useful for most people either. So like I said, unless you have personal knowledge that this couple would appreciate sheets, then either get something else or give cash.

And thirdly, cash strapped or not, that is not the reason most couples want cash - it is precisely to avoid getting unwanted gifts which get thrown in the back of a press. Most couples now live together before hand so have most of the basics traditionally considered wedding gifts. For that reason cash is a more appreciated gift, as it allows them to buy what they DO need, rather than get another toaster./iron/yet another set of wine glasses etc. Even millionaires like to get more money, so its not just 'cash strapped couples'.

And for friends of friends you suddenly know a lot about what they would appreciate - in your original post you pointed out that the girl is only a friend of a friend and you don't know the groom at all! And yet you get uppity with me because 'cash wouldn't mean a lot to this particular couple'!

No need to get so snippy because someone disliked your idea of a gift - you asked for suggestions for a gift as an alternative to cash, but as myself and others pointed out, cash would prob be the best gift. Don't get so far on your high horse cos others disagree with your idea - if you want to give a present off you go, best of luck with it. but don't be surprised if it ends up in the back of a hotpress with the rest of their unwanted presents.

Speedy007

Thanks for your input - apologies for being snippy.

I guess I've still some thinking to do regarding the gift. I'm meeting with some friends tonight who are also invited to the wedding so may go in on gift with them.

Its kind of a case of "what do you give someone who has everything?"

Emerald Lass

ah don't worry about it - no grudge held here! lol

but in the case of what do you give someone with everything - again I have to say - sorry - cash! even Donald Trump loves getting more cash! lol

but the idea of going in with a few others is a good one - that way, if you do buy a gift, you can try to find out something they specifically want and with more of you going in on it you can get something quite decent that maybe they would like. Much more practical I think!

or failing that, if a few of you go in on it, what about a voucher for a decent hotel? then they can have a weekend away? I've had an early wedding present of this already - and its already been put to use, with a few days booked between the wedding and the actual honeymoon (don't fly out til 4 days after the wedding). A well deserved spot of pampering will be availed of after all the wedding stress! lol I really appreciated that gift, cos if I hadn't got it I never would have booked 2 days away between the wedding and honeymoon and now I'm really looking forward to it.

anyway whatever you decide, once you've bought it/given it don't worry about it after that - if they have manners they will just be appreciative of the effort. And most importantly have a good time! (make sure you leave enough money in your budget for a good day out! - priorities! sod their present! lol)

Speedy007

Thanks, I'll post how it goes!!

bensoneb

Speedy,

Don't be put off by what other people say. If you want to buy sheets, buy sheets. I got married last year and probably got some presents that other people may deem boring, impractical or unsuitable but I loved them all because I appreciated the thought and effort that went into choosing them.

While we may not use what we get as presents all the time, it's nice to have a bit of luxury in the cupboard when we feel like a treat. OR, there's no reason why you can't have your treat all of the time by using these type of presents. For example, I got alot of John Rocha glasses and I actually use them anytime I have wine now instead of letting them gather dust in my cabinet. No point in having nice things and not enjoying them.

If they're a decent sort, they will appreciate any effort you go to.

Hope you enjoy the day.:)

deisebabe

speedy, sheets can be a nice idea. we got one nice set from a family friend which we made the bed up in before we left and then had that to come back to after the honeymoon. I thought it was great as to be honest in the build up to the wedding you'd barely have time to get yourself together...let alone linen!

if not just give cash. Nobody would expect more than 70 from one person...if its 150 per couple why should you give more?! they normally have nice wedding cards in M&S...we normally just throw cash in a nice card and leave it at that

MariMel

I am getting married later in the year and tbh although cash would be nice....I would appreciate any gift someone thought to buy us. although I will admit to loving practical things.

My godmother asked me what i wanted and told me to pick something i'd class as expensive....which i did.....a kenwood mixer....one like my mother has had for 32yrs and my gran for 35!!!
Anytime anyones asked me or my OH what we would like....we have been quite upfront as we know that a lot or our guests will not be able to afford what has become the expected gift of €150+. One of my brothers got married last year and a comment was made my his mother in law that someone was cheap by only giving them €100!
We have opted to ask for practical items.....(I'm getting a decent iron from my other sis in law)...and new duvets/pillows for the house(penneys or dunnes...i dont mind), since my OH daughters will be spending more time here.
I have let it be known that i'd love a le crueset casserole pot....any size....i'm not fussy...lol.
People can sometimes underestimate the appreciation of practical gifts.....nothing beats nice sheets or luxury weight bath towels. How much use and for how long afterwards will you still be appreciating getting them?
A close friend got a slow cooker as a wedding present a few years back and although at first she admits to being a little taken back when she recived it....its now used on a weekly basis during the winter months.

OP buy whatever you want..... for me my guests are there to support us on our wedding day and to congratulate us on our lives together....not for us to add more pressure onto what is already an expensive enough day for them to attend.

x x x x