I would seriously not know what to do with some of the things posted in here. Frames and stuff not on our registry ended up donated or put away forever.
The stuff left on the registry might sound boring to YOU, but they obviously liked it enough to include. Just go with that.
+1
Boring or not, it's what they want or need. Buy from the registry.
Cash or GC. We only got one non=cash gift at our wedding and they were hand made dolls from my mom of us. Go with cash, its easy, and its probably what they want.
Even if it is all things like towels, toasters, and kitchen utensils?
Yes. You know what I've used every day for the last 4.5 years? The towels we got. The kitchen utensils are probably a close second for most frequently used. The toaster is up there, too.
I can only think of ONE off-registry, not-homemade gift that we got that I like - crystal beer mugs from Tiffany. But the towels and kitchen utensils get used much more.
Only go off-registry if it's something you KNOW the couple will like. Otherwise, go with something from the registry, consumables, or cash/gift card. Hand-made gifts are also appropriate if you have a talent worthy of gift-giving.
Post by countthestars on Aug 29, 2012 7:07:15 GMT -5
We got a really pretty piece of pottery from a friend and also a nice bread bowl. My sister bought us a large mirror for our living room - also nice (she let me pick from a few)
Since it's your sister, I am going to assume you know her well enough to know that she would like a personalized gift as opposed to just cash.
Personally, I liked receiving gifts that remind me of the giver, but I know I'm in the minority.
I got a Christmas-y serving platter that was personalized with our last name. It was lovely.
My aunt gave me a serving bowl that was my (deceased) grandmother's. That was a hit.
I also got a personalized plaque with our names and the year we were married that still hangs in our hall.
Redenvelope.com has some nice gifts that can be personalized. Google for a coupon code before you buy anything there though!
ETA: I've also heard of giving a few nice bottles of wine, each with a tag that says "Enjoy on your First Anniversary", 5th, 10th, etc. You can also put a note with each bottle to be read when they are consumed. That might be a nice idea for your sister if they are wine drinkers?
Cash. But since that wasnt the question we got 2 actual gifts - a crock pot (which I think is a bad gift) and my actual favorite gift was a Raclette set from our friends from germany. We all get together for Raclette so it was a nice and sentimental gift.
I'd need to take a picture of it, because i can't describe it very well, but it's a framed glass writing of our names, wedding date, and i guess what we call our Wedding saying...his sister did it, she also did toasting glasses for us with special messages to each other on them...she has a bride to baby website making custom items and i can't wait to hang it on the wall.
Post by lightbulbsun on Aug 29, 2012 7:20:33 GMT -5
My favorite gifts were from my registry. I was irritated at some of H's family who didn't like what we had on our registry and got us things we didn't need/want.
My favorite gifts were from my registry. I was irritated at some of H's family who didn't like what we had on our registry and got us things we didn't need/want.
When we got married, we lived in a one bedroom apartment. I think I had $300 in my bank account. We had a kitten who loved to jump on every surface and knock things on the floor.
We got THREE crystal bowls, one of which was the most hideous thing I've ever seen and came with matching candlesticks. We got another set of candlesticks. Random picture frames. Decorative vases. We gave away almost all of it. But man, I still love those towels.
My favorite gift was one that had significance to the beginning of my relationship with my husband. If you know how/ where they met, a place they hung out together in the beginning, or a private joke they shared you could do something that was related to that.
One of the first times we hung out, we had a funny conversation about the branches of government and our favorite NPR reporters. For our wedding, a friend bought us the Nina Tottenbag. We still use it and it always makes me happy.
ETA: just saw your price requirements, so that doesn't work. Just go off the registry- there' s a reason people take the time to create them in the first place.
This. While it may seem "lame", things like towels, etc. are the MOST appreciated!!
My favorite non-cash gift was 7 nights in an all-inclusive in Mexico, from DH's husband. Woo-hoo! But, that's out of your price range.
My favorite less-expensive gift was a cookbook, full of recipes from DH's country. I use that book ALL THE TIME, and every time I use it, I think of my friend. Every holiday, and sometimes in between.
Thanks guys! I think I'm going with some picture frames off the registry. I somehow missed them on my first look last night at my sister's registries. She doesn't have a ton left on them but thankfully there are some frames.
I get what you are all saying about the "boring" items and cash being great, and I agree if it was someone other than my sister and a very close friend. For me, I like remembering who bought me thoughtful gifts when I use them - but I'm kind of sentimental. I know my sister is too though and it would mean more to her to have something that either I put thought into giving her OR that ties into the wedding day and she can remember was from me. I'm assuming the frames she registered for are for wedding pictures so hopefully they hit that mark. I will probably buy some picture frames for my friend too but I have a little more time to decide for sure.
We got a really nice serving platter and tray that one of our guests picked up from an art fair somewhere. They are brushed silver, have some small decorative designs on them and have really come in useful. I love them because they are unique and not all match-matchy.
We only received one non-cash gift at our wedding (NY/NJ crowd)....this weird engraved clock for our mantle from relatives that live in Florida.
My favorite, reasonably priced, shower gift was a Cuisinart food processor. Always try to stick to the registry when possible. Makes life easier for everyone.
I gave my BFF a basket filled with snacks to take on the honeymoon (they were just driving less than an hour away). That was around $50. They claimed to have enjoyed it.
Backup idea was just a bottle of good champagne.
But if there are towels on the registry, I always buy towels. I love our towels from the wedding. 7 years later, we still use them.
I'm following Miso on this one. Buy from registry, even if it sucks. My biggest wedding pet peeve was that we truly needed to replace our sheets and towels, but people decided to buy all the fun gifts & crystal first.
Oh, I forgot ... our friends went to Belgium and got back right before our wedding, and they brought MH back a nice carrying case with two bottles of Westvleteren beer. We had a bottle of champagne sitting in an ice bucket on our head table, and when we weren't at the table the guy came up and slipped one of the bottles into the bucket for MH to find. That was a really thoughtful gift.
I would be careful with anything that's personalized or has writing on it. I personally can't stand it when home decor has words on it ... I've been given a bunch of those picture frames labeled "Family," "Love," etc., and a bunch of those signs you hang on the wall with sayings and quotes on them, and I'm trying to unload them on Craigslist because they're totally not my style.
MH's aunt knit us a beautiful blanket which amazingly matched the colors of our living room. It was very thoughtful and I know that she put a lot of work and love into it, so it makes it special.
But I know that's not always an option for people. Other non-cash wedding related gift we were given: - a small crystal box from Tiffany that we use to put our rings in - a small Tiffany crystal bowl
Umm lol. My MOH's boyfriend at the time (now husband) is Spanish and was coming over from Spain for the wedding. He brought over a framed set of painted tiles (so it looked like a framed painting, but with tiles) with our respective coat of arms painted on it (my maiden name's coat of arms and H's coat of arms). The boyfriend/husband is from Talevera de la Reina which is known for its pottery and painted tiles so it's a one-of-a-kind gift in several ways.
That was probably not helpful to your question lol.