A Guide to Wedding Gifts

Marriage gifts are important considerations for both the guests and the couple that is tying the knot. Wedding guests need to follow the proper gift-giving etiquette, while brides and grooms need to show appreciation for the gifts they receive. Learn more about the art of marriage gift-giving.

 

Registering for Wedding Gifts

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If you are considering where to register for your wedding, there are several factors to keep in mind. First, think about stores that can serve as one-stop shops. You only want to provide between one and three registry options for your guests to keep the process simple, and specialized stores likely won’t have more than a couple of items that you need. You should also consider your wedding guests and which retail stores are close to where they live to make the shopping experience as easy as possible.

Online shopping has made it easier than ever to register for the items that you need to start your new life with your spouse. For most big-name retailers, you can begin your wedding registry online and browse through the inventory to select the items that interest you. Your guests will be able to look through your registry for gift ideas, and they can even make their purchases online. Customers will also have the option of having the gifts that they buy shipped directly to your home if they are unable to attend your wedding.
  • Modern Gift Registry Ideas – Gift registry suggestions that couples can use to set up their new home.
  • The Do's and Dont's of Wedding Registries – Rules to follow when creating your wedding registry.
  • Wedding Registries Improve Gift-Giving – This Washington Post article explains how wedding registries are improving gift-giving.
  • Where to Register – Brides magazine explores some of the best places to register for your wedding gifts.

 

Wedding Gift-Giving Etiquette

If you will be attending a wedding soon, you may have a variety of gift-giving etiquette questions: How much should I spend? Is it okay to do a group gift? Can I buy something that’s not on the registry? Fortunately, there are a few simple rules that you can keep in mind when choosing a gift.

First, it is important to use the couple’s wedding registry as your primary guide for what to buy. If you see an item that you are interested in listed, don’t buy a similar item from a different retailer. By doing this, chances are good that the couple will end up with duplicate items, and they will end up returning the one you purchased. The most highly-coveted of wedding gifts are generally for the kitchen, dining room, and bedroom, so try to make finding a gift in these areas your priority.

When determining price, don’t use the price-per-plate to measure how much you need to spend. Instead, make sure that you are not spending less than $50. If you are buying for a close relative or close friend, that dollar value should be closer to $100 or $150.

 

Accepting Wedding Gifts

Writing a great thank you note is an important way to let your wedding guests know that you appreciate the gift that they gave you. This can feel like a daunting experience if you had a large wedding, but the trick is to start writing them out right away. Finding a time to sit down and write them will be harder as time goes by, so begin working on them as soon as the first gift arrives.

When it comes to writing your notes, you should always use black or blue ink. You should also be sure to address your appreciation for the specific gift you were given, and never send out the same card to everyone. If you received a gift of money, express your gratitude and mention how you will put it to good use.

  • A Guide to Writing Thank You Notes – A complete guide on how to send out proper thank you notes to your wedding guests.
  • Thank You Note Wording Tips - Advice on how to write a great thank you note.
  • Wedding Thank You Note Etiquette – Tips from etiquette expert Emily Post on how to write wedding thank you notes.
  • Writing the Perfect Thank You – BridalGuide magazine outlines tips for writing the perfect thank you note.

 

Bachelor or Bachelorette Party Gifts

If you have a fun gift that you’d like to give your friend that might not be deemed “appropriate” for a wedding day present, the bachelor or bachelorette party is the place to present it. These events usually just consist of a bride or groom’s closest friends and some family members, so the environment is generally laid back, relaxed, and fun. A sex toy or accessory would be a completely acceptable gift in this atmosphere, as would lingerie for the bride-to-be.

You may also want to consider gifting a raunchy game or couples activity that both the bride and groom can enjoy together once they’ve tied the knot. While some of these toys may be gag gifts, others can be useful on the couple’s wedding night or honeymoon. A fun sex toy can take the phrase “here comes the bride” to an entirely different level.

  • Bachelorette Party Etiquette – Rules to follow at your next bachelorette party.
  • Bachelorette Party Ideas – Games and other fun ideas for a bachelorette party from Cosmopolitan magazine.
  • Bachelor Party Gag Gifts – Great gag gift ideas for your buddy’s bachelor party.
  • Gag Gifts for the Bachelorette- Funny gag gift ideas for the bride-to-be.

 

Anniversary Gifts for Your Spouse

When it comes to buying an anniversary gift for your husband or wife, you need to take some time to think about the best possible present. In order to get a great gift, you need to know your spouse. If you’ve never seen your wife wear a fluffy bathrobe, giving her one as a gift won’t make her suddenly start wearing one. Cater to your spouse’s personal tastes so that he or she is getting something enjoyable.

You should also be careful to avoid unintentional insults with your gift. If your wife opens fitness equipment, but doesn’t regularly work out, you are essentially telling her that she needs to exercise because you are unhappy with her body. These types of gifts could be disastrous and will likely ruin your entire day together.

Don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous when it comes to choosing an anniversary gift for your spouse. Celebrate your love by reigniting the passion in your marriage, and give a gift that can provide you both with pleasure. Sex toys are a great wedding anniversary gift, as they will allow you to spice up your time together in the bedroom. Even after decades of marriage, maintaining the sex and desire in your relationship should still be a priority, and a sex accessory can help you to reignite an old flame.

 

Giving Gifts at Non-Traditional Weddings

Non-traditional weddings don’t follow the norm when it comes to the event, so gift-giving will follow suit. Non-traditional weddings are often more relaxed and laid-back than traditional events, and they likely won’t be held in a stuffy church. Destination weddings or ceremonies that are held in unique destinations that are special to the couple are extremely common.

With a non-traditional wedding, you will have more gift-giving options. While the couple may still have a registry that you should look at first, the unique nature of their event may give you some great ideas about other gifts they can enjoy. Whether it is camping equipment for a couple that gets married in the middle of the woods or snorkeling gear for the couple that says “I do” on the beach, gifts should always be well thought out, even for a non-traditional wedding.