Off-topic: Engagement present help

[Deleted]

DH's bff and his gf (now FI) got engaged last month and we are seeing the happy couple on Saturday. I feel compelled to buy some sort of engagement present for them for a variety of reasons, and DH hasn't been less than helpful.
-They live in an outer borough of NYC in a small to medium-sized apartment, which they just moved into this past summer. We have not visited their new place, so I don't know what style their furniture is, what kind of space they have, what color decor they have, etc.
-They are not registering for wedding/shower presents, because they have enough glassware, dishes, etc. Therefore no registry/wishlist to go off of.
-I don't want to do something like a picture frame (my mom's suggestion, ugh), because, again I don't know what their (her?) style is.
-I don't want to do a gc for a restaurant or a gc at all, really.

Putting it bluntly, DH's bff's FI and I are polar opposites in nearly every way, so this is hard. I want get them something "cool" or nice that will be appreciated, not thrown away or in a drawer.

Thoughts?



ETA:
-We will be traveling via mass transit (train + subway) to get to them, so nothing that can't fit in a decent-sized tote bag.
-Preferably no liquor.
-They have a cat.

[Deleted]

Fancy bottle of champagne?

[Deleted]

What v said.

Just get them a bottle of bubbly!

[countthestars]

Bottle of champagne?

[Deleted]

I usually buy a ring dish as an engagement gift. I was given one when I got engaged and stole the idea. I had one already, but I kept that by my bed and put the new one in the kitchen by the sink.

Etsy has a lot of cute ones!

[Deleted]

I was trying to avoid a consumable like liquor.

Forgot that.

[lys]

Pretty flower pot with house plant.
"May your love grow and blossom"

[halfpint]

Another vote for champagne.

Maybe some fancy petit fours or pastries or cupcakes, boxed up with a ribbon along with it. Is there a favorite/famous bakery or pastry shop near you?

[Deleted]

Champagne flutes? How much do you want to spend?

[maddiepaddy]

I like the ring holder and flower ideas if you're not wanting booze. I don't think that engagement gifts need to huge, even a nice card would surely be appreciated.

[chessie]

What about something from edible arrangements and send it to them? Something simple.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 13:57:16 GMT -5 halfpint said:

Is there a favorite/famous bakery or pastry shop near you?

Near me? No b/c I live in bumf*** NJ (or at least as bumf*** as you get here)



To respond to choco: If I could find something under $50, that would be great, but this is DH's oldest/best friend and I'd spend $100 for something that really stood out.
ETA: They made it a point to state they weren't registering like in a snarky/snotty sort of way regarding the dishes, glasses, etc, so champagne flutes (my initial idea before the registering thing came up) are out. 

[egeiger]

My fav gift (as the girl) was a set of address labels that said He and She Smith. It was the first time I saw my married name in print, and I thought it was cool. 

[Deleted]

Oh, or wedding planning/style books or magazine subscriptions, though those are more a present for the bride.

[mbcdefg]

How much do you want to spend?

$50-100+: Gift card to Macy's

under $50: ring dish (I still use mine), wedding planning book, cheese board and knives and maybe a nice block of cheese, card and flowers

[audry80]

My BFF just got engaged and I bought them Tiffany chanpagne flutes. They were $44 for a set ( I bought the cheapest ones)

I included a bottle of champagne and they loved it. Anything is better in a blue box.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 14:02:45 GMT -5 egeiger said:

My fav gift (as the girl) was a set of address labels that said He and She Smith. It was the first time I saw my married name in print, and I thought it was cool. 

She's not changing her name.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 14:03:40 GMT -5 v said:

Oh, or wedding planning/style books or magazine subscriptions, though those are more a present for the bride.

I just sent you a PM

[genet313]

What about a gift certificate to a restaurant in their area?  You could Google it and probably come up with a few places.  Consumable, but it would be a fun night for them.

[mbcdefg]

Jan 24, 2013 14:19:08 GMT -5 @beagle said:

Alternatively, you can get them a fun 6pk of microbrews and a matching tote as well.

I bought MH the two-pack and six-pack Built Neoprene totes for his beer, and he uses them constantly: www.amazon.com/Built-Neoprene-6-Pack-Tote-Patrol/dp/B001FU098C/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1359055374&sr=8-30&keywords=neoprene+tote

I ordered them from Amazon, but Marshall's/TJ Maxx occasionally have them too.

Spunky, if they don't drink but you still like this idea, could you bring sparkling cider instead?

Otherwise I think a gift card, or just a Hallmark card and flowers or chocolates (since the cat might knock over the flowers if he's an asshole like mine), is plenty.

[niki]

I just don't think I see the need to buy a gift in this situation.

Sorry, I'm no help. Especially when you said nothing liquor-related.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 14:18:43 GMT -5 @beagle said:

Bottle of wine in a cool wine tote that they can use when they go out to eat.

Not here they can't!  (or at least, at very, very, very few places).

But I do use big wine totes for when I buy several bottles of wine, or small ones for bringing wine to friends' homes.

[mbcdefg]

If you're going out to eat, offer to treat them.

[Roc A Bee]

Jan 24, 2013 14:40:13 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

If you're going out to eat, offer to treat them.

Engagement gifts aren't big in t circle, but this is nice.

[dexteroni]

I think you're creating a problem for yourself where there isn't one. It's your DH's friend, he doesn't seem to think a gift is necessary, this is just a social occasion, not an engagement party, you don't know their tastes, you don't seem to like them very much, and for some reason you've ruled out consumables and GCs, which are the only two categories that work in this situation. I would just drop it. Or like someone else said, pick up the tab for dinner.

[Deleted]

For close family and friends, we do the Tiffany champagne flutes that come in a pretty box (they cost $125 I think).

Since you think they are not the type for that, what about engraveable frame for their wedding guests? Or passport covers? I'm not very good with this.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Read the title and thought to myself, "Really nice bottle of Champagne," even before I opened the post. Should have known v would've beaten me to the Champagne punch.

I always prefer to select something from the registry (most people I know set one up before the engagement party) but since they aren't doing a registry and it is tough to shop for someone without knowing much about their style/taste, I think that a nice bottle of wine or Champagne is the most versatile option.

For our closest friends, we also treat the couple to a nice dinner in addition to a gift at the party.

[CloudBee]

I wouldn't give a gift in this situation.

I like the champagne suggestions.