<p>I seem to be indecisive about an upcoming shower gift. This couple is in their late twenties, have lived together for several years and seem to have lots of ‘stuff’. I’m quite fond of the bride. The invitation asked for a favorite recipe to share with the bride, which I’ve done. I considered a charity donation, but would rather give an actual gift.</p>
<p>Have you given a gift you keep giving? A tried and true gift of sorts?</p>
<p>Can anyone ever have enough serving bowls?</p>
<p>This is a Vermont-made product that I think anyone would love: [url=<a href=“http://www.peggypotter.com/]Casamadera[/url”>http://www.peggypotter.com/]Casamadera[/url</a>]</p>
<p>My go-to shower gifts:</p>
<p>[Cha</a> Cha Pitcher | Crate&Barrel](<a href=“http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/pitchers-and-decanters/cha-cha-pitcher/s543276]Cha”>http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/pitchers-and-decanters/cha-cha-pitcher/s543276)</p>
<p>[Picardie</a> Glass Tumblers | Williams-Sonoma](<a href=“http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/picardie-glass-tumbler/?pkey=ceveryday-glassware]Picardie”>http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/picardie-glass-tumbler/?pkey=ceveryday-glassware)</p>
<p>If you are thinking along the lines of a charity donation, consider Kiva. Because it is something that they, as a couple, will continue for years, with new folks getting to use the money over and over.</p>
<p>Other than that, I haven’t given many gifts (yet), but someone (here perhaps) said that they like to give a nice cake-server knife - and that idea stuck in my head as a nice idea… And, it goes with the idea of recipes.</p>
<p>Alternatively, give a kitchen-y item that coordinates with your recipe.</p>
<p>With the recipe…what about a selection of spices from Penzeys?
[Gifts</a> and Spice at Penzeys Spices Spice Gift Boxes](<a href=“Gift Boxes | Penzeys”>Gift Boxes | Penzeys)</p>
<p>My go-to gift is this panini maker, with the cookbook that goes with it.</p>
<p>[Breville</a> Panini Press | Williams-Sonoma](<a href=“http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/2268175/?catalogId=54&bnrid=3180501&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Froogle&cm_pla=Electrics&cm_ite=2268175]Breville”>http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/2268175/?catalogId=54&bnrid=3180501&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Froogle&cm_pla=Electrics&cm_ite=2268175)</p>
<p>I’m a crystal (or silver) picture frame giver. I like things that won’t have to be returned if they get multiples.</p>
<p>Crystal bowl. Type of crystal depending on relationship with the couple. I love mine and use them often.</p>
<p>When recipes are requested, I also include several bottles of wine…to go with each recipe. I usually tie the recipe TO the bottle of wine that would go with the meal. Put it in a nice basket with a couple of nice dish towels and tada…shower gift.</p>
<p>I did the same with imported beers once. The groom loved that.</p>
<p>For Catholic brides - a Nativity set, for new homeowners - HomeDepot/Lowes gift card, for baby showers - a dinner gift certificate for the new parents with babysitting, for people I don’t know well I always buy crystal water pitchers</p>
<p>Christmas ornaments. Many young couples don’t have 'em, and they make a great gift if the wedding/shower is in the fall/early winter.</p>
<p>I like to give a small art glass vase. Here in the NW we have a lot of glass artists, so I’m supporting a local artist–and it’s always nice to have a vase that makes a single rose look spectacular.</p>
<p>Depending on the couple: Simon Pearce crystal (no lead), Orrefors or Nambe anything. Most brides are returning to the “modern” of my parents generation. My Picardie glasses are STILL going strong 32 years later. (OK, except for fill ins for broken ones). Julia Knight serving stuff. I still use the crystal that I received for my wedding gift. And look at the registry. Macy’s and BBB have sales. I once bought a bride four place settings of her china from Macy’s with sales and coupons: retail $400, paid $170 for everything.</p>
<p>(I generally give one larger shower/wedding gift)</p>
<p>I once did this for a wedding shower with a kitchen theme - it or a variation might work for you. I based in on a recipe for “sushi” that had been published in the NY Times. It was non-traditional sushi, no raw fish. It called for sushi wrappers, rice sticks instead of rice, and a lot of other ingredients ranging from smoked turkey to various vegetables. I put everything, with some sauces and implements, into a nice basket filled with straw. I found an enormous branching piece of ginger and tied it to the top of the handle with ribbon.</p>
<p>I would look at what the couple has registered for to get a sense of their taste before I bought serving pieces or crystal. (It’s possible they may have registered for something similar to what you have in mind.) One thing I’ve given is a nice cutting board made by a local artisan. Some are really lovely, made with interesting woods. It’s a way to support a local craftsperson. It doesn’t take up a lot of space in a small kitchen. It can be used for serving.</p>
<p>This probably sounds stupid but my go to gift for a shower is one of those photo frames that holds several photos. Then I put myself in all of the slots and wrap it up. It gets laughs all the time. My one friend has hers sitting in her living room with all 10 photos of me in it. She was like I know you did it jokingly and I know I should put me and the hubby in it but it just makes me smile every time I see it.</p>
<p>I am happy to report I have not been to a wedding in about 15?? years. 
I think my oldest nieces and nephews are about to rotate into the mix, however, so these ideas are great~ worthy of a bookmark.</p>
<p>Two gifts we received 35 yes ago. One was a very nice backgammon set/game. The other was a great knife and cutting board.</p>
<p>My go-to wedding gifts over the years have included:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Wine glasses (6 or 8) - I like to see what they’ve registered for to either purchase those or get an idea of taste. This one doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg and, imo, can never seem like a “chintzy” gift even if you do not spend a whole whole lot. Frequently used, in most cases, they won’t be dust catchers. Since our circle knows we are wine lovers, there’s a bit of a personal touch.</p></li>
<li><p>Two to three bottles of fine wine. It would be wonderful if you could actually give wines from the vintage of their wedding date… but those won’t be available yet. Nice anniversary gift though, especially if one or more of them are best aged and opened on the 5th, 10th, 25th anniversary. Or, for their wedding, a card noting that you will be delivering said wine when it is released.</p></li>
<li><p>A quality picnic basket - the kind with cloth napkins, nice flatware/dishes/glassware for 2 or 4. Kind of romantic.</p></li>
</ol>