The art of choosing the right wedding gift

Here are a few of the top wedding gift ideas that are popular today.

11:07 21 February 2014

A wedding is a joyous occasion, when friends and family members get together to celebrate because two people have decided to make an important commitment to one another. It is a chance to dress up, dine together, perhaps dance a little and generally have a great party. Traditionally, people attending a wedding like to give a gift to the happy couple both as a token of affection and as a way to congratulate them.

Creating a new home together

Whether or not a couple is moving into new accommodation, there may be certain homeware items that are suitable as gifts. Linen is a good example – towels, tablecloths with matching table napkins and sets of bed linen are all useful household items that need to be renewed from time to time. Similarly, china, crockery and glasses can make good presents and often there will be a nominated supplier and certain items will be included on a wedding gift list. Most couples don’t want to find that suddenly they are in possession of a great number of unwanted or duplicate gifts, so this is a sensible plan.

Some newlyweds want to make their own decisions about things for the home, and ask for vouchers for specific shops and department stores. This makes things quite easy for guests looking for the right wedding gift, and it can be really gratifying when, some time later, the voucher is transformed into something particularly useful or attractive to the happy couple.

The personal touch

Even where there is a wedding gift list, however, sometimes really close friends or family members want to give something a little more memorable, and that is when the personal touch can turn a good gift into a special one. For example, if the chosen item is glassware, then consider personalising it with names or the date of the wedding or a special message. This does not need to be an expensive option – it’s quite possible to choose the ideal product, such as a collection of champagne glasses or an engraved whisky glass set, that is high quality but not overly costly.

Alternative gifts

Weddings are not cheap, and if a honeymoon is an expense too far, some couples ask that guests make a financial donation to enable them to take a special trip. Sharing the costs in this way means that every contributor knows they are providing an opportunity for the newlyweds to have a dream honeymoon – one that will be remembered forever and that is very much appreciated.

Some couples, particularly those who have been together for some time, decide not to create a wedding gift list or ask for vouchers and instead nominate a charity to which guests can make donations if they so wish. Eco-conscious couples may nominate a charity that works to improve the environment, for example, while culture vultures may want to support a local arts organisation, museum or library.

There are plenty of options for those seeking the right wedding gift – it simply takes a little time and thought to get the perfect present.