wedding

Galway K9

Invited to colleagues wedding...need to get a gift. Im stuck between a toaster and a kettle. any thoughts.

Not very close to colleagues so not forking out too much for the wedding.

GingerLily

Neither, they'll either already have them or will want a matching set for their new home.

Picture frames / glassware / wine / champagne would all be infinitely better.

stargazer 68

Homestore and more have lovely glass wear half price!

seamus

Money or alcohol. Neither will sit on a shelf gathering dust.

I got married seven years ago and I still have more glassware sitting in boxes in my attic than I do on my kitchen shelves. And other random knick-knacks.

clint_silver

we got an office fan off of someone, 13 years it sat in its box up in the attic. was cleaning out the attic last year in a mini heatwave and found it and turned it on. god was I glad of that fan.

At that very moment, that was the best wedding present I got.

Old person had given it to us, we said thank you at the time, thought that was a bit batty when we put it away. she's up there now nodding wisely. Not in the attic.

StupidLikeAFox

Cast Iron Pots and Pans set - €60:
https://www.groupon.ie/deals/cast-iron-pan-sets-1

BetsyEllen

Are you invited to the whole day or just the evening?

If it's the whole day I would put in a bit more effort than a kettle or toaster.
I got a lot of the usual stuff at mine...candle holder, glasses, photo frames...all used at some stage I suppose but only because we had them, not really because we loved them!

At the time I would have preferred a voucher for nice restaurant.

If it's just the evening you're invited to, a nice bottle of champagne would do.

Milly33

Oh dont get them anything like that, unless they have asked just give cash or get a nice bottle of something

hotmatottie10

Homefront are doing nice stuff at the moment i got stuff for a colleague during the week. Lovely flutes, they had a good selection on special worth checking out. The days of kettles and toasters are long gone very 80s.

Sarah1916

Have a good think about it.
I definitely would not get a kettle or toaster.
I would only get frames/glasses etc. if you think they would want them.
For example I am getting married in March. We bought our house 3 years ago so we have everything we need, plus it is a very small house so unfortunately no extra room for more frames or glasses to store.

Unless you know your colleague has a nice big house to fill I would probably stay clear of homeware.
Money/voucher for restaurant or even champagne would definitely be more useful.

Loveinapril

hotmatottie10 wrote: »

Homefront are doing nice stuff at the moment i got stuff for a colleague during the week. Lovely flutes, they had a good selection on special worth checking out. The days of kettles and toasters are long gone very 80s.

Unless you know for sure that they are Champagne enthusiasts, steer clear of flutes. We got a set that are still in the box. We got 12 wine glasses that are regularly used as we love wine. The scotch/ whiskey glasses again are still in the box. Everyone has the same idea about buying glasses, candlesticks and picture frames- they are the new kettles and toasters.

Get them a few bottles of something they like!

Anatom

Do they have a wedding list? If so, go for something from that. It'll be something they'll actually want and will always remember you for it...

GingerLily

Anatom wrote: »

Do they have a wedding list? If so, go for something from that. It'll be something they'll actually want and will always remember you for it...

Does anyone do wedding lists in Ireland? I don't think it's wide spread.

Anatom

GingerLily wrote: »

Does anyone do wedding lists in Ireland? I don't think it's wide spread.

They certainly used to. I know we did, and most of our friends did, and it was brilliant. It suited people who wanted to buy us something but didn't know what we needed. Most people these days have been living together for some time before they're married so they don't need another lamp, toaster or whatever. A wedding list gives you a chance to let your guests know what you actually need. That way they know that what they buy you is something that's wanted.

Of course, some people still bought us things that weren't on the list (lamps, again, and a re-gifted one as well, as we found out later!) and a very few one or two gave no present at all! We were also lucky enough to be given some cash as well, so it isn't an all-or-nothing thing...

GingerLily

Anatom wrote: »

They certainly used to. I know we did, and most of our friends did, and it was brilliant. It suited people who wanted to buy us something but didn't know what we needed. Most people these days have been living together for some time before they're married so they don't need another lamp, toaster or whatever. A wedding list gives you a chance to let your guests know what you actually need. That way they know that what they buy you is something that's wanted.

Of course, some people still bought us things that weren't on the list (lamps, again, and a re-gifted one as well, as we found out later!) and a very few one or two gave no present at all! We were also lucky enough to be given some cash as well, so it isn't an all-or-nothing thing...

I think theres a stigma these days about wedding lists, people would think you have "notions". It seems to be more a UK and US thing.

baby and crumble

Re: the lists. It's a funny one, as a guest I'd love to see a list available, as someone planning a wedding I really don't want to have one! :rolleyes:

Many couples will have a "silent" wedding list- I think that's the option we'll be going for. So we'll let family and wedding party know there's a list available that they can direct people towards. Perhaps check in with family or the bridal party if you know any of them.

Anatom

GingerLily wrote: »

I think theres a stigma these days about wedding lists, people would think you have "notions". It seems to be more a UK and US thing.

Re. the "notions" thing, there might be some truth to it. Maybe its an urban/rural thing? Certainly, my rurally-based mother-in-law didn't really like it, and didn't tell her side of the family about it at all. But my side of the house, and our friends, really did appreciate it. If its for you, its great. If you don't agree with it, then don't do it. As a compromise, spreading the word quietly like you suggest might be a good idea.

Like a lot of shopping nowadays, it can be done online - quickly and easily - so takes the hassle out of the whole thing.

Its an option, that's all, and remember you'll get more of what you want or need if you actually have one than if you don't!!