Personally, purchased a great set of knives, pots & pans, everyday stoneware and most of the things to run my houehold when I moved into my own apartment at 25. In my 50s, I’m seriously working to declutter, as are many on CC, which is why many of us suggest consumables.
With knives and sharp implements, gifting them may “cut off the friendship,” so as an antidote, we’ve been taught to tape a coin on the knife blade. With purses or wallets, you’re supposed to gift a token amount (a coin or small bill), so the recipient will have $$$ in the new wallet/purse.
About the crest…I guess I wasn’t thinking of it as a piece of artwork, but more of a memento. I guess if their home is quite formal, it might not fit in. I think it is whimsical and I could see it in the mudroom, powder room, bedroom, whatever. But perhaps, as I can see here, it would not go over with many others.
These people seem to have no shortage of money so I believe that option (money) has been ruled out. I would consider money if I was stumped and there was no registry for a young couple starting out but this is an established , older couple ,
Since they have been living together a long time and have what they need and money really is not the right gift in this situation (in my view), either getting a consumable or a unique gift that is a memento sort of thing you would not buy yourself and don’t “need” is how I might go.
I know the “crest” link did not go over well…but here is an item I just can’t imagine someone not enjoying as a keepsake…it is a handmade paper cut set on floating glass in a frame…the couple and their wedding date…I’d have such a thing in my bedroom, master bath, or some place personal like that.
If they don’t need the money, then make a donation in honor of their marriage to a charity they support. If the OP is stumped, it seems that almost all families have been touched by cancer and there are many worthy charities/groups doing cancer research or providing services to cancer patients that could use the money.
NT: would you be offended if you were to receive a donation of $$ from peers?
Sorry Sooz…but the paper cut thing is something we received as a wedding gift in the 1980’s. It was put in a drawer, and never hung…just didn’t fit in anywhere, and my laundry room had other things hanging. I totally forgot about it…found it years later, and threw it away.
I just gave a gift to a couple who needed nothing…they are well established and had a destination wedding.
We got them a very nice but small wood inlaid cutting board, a bottle of wine, two (reidel from Target) wine glasses, two beautiful soy candles in jars, and a gift card to Whole Foods. Our card said, “have a wine and cheese candlelight treat on us. Congratulations!”
I give everyone towels. Sets, nice bath sheets, whatever I find that I like. I gave some to my friend’s brother and he was sort of complaining that they’d receive so many towels. All the 50 years olds chimed in “You’ll never be sorry for having more towels. I wish someone would give me new towels.”
Next year my daughter is a bridesmaid in two weddings and they will cost her a lot so she won’t have a lot for a gift. She’s asked me to make matching Christmas stockings for each couple (making stockings is something I do for my family and all the new babies). I think they’ll like them, but if they don’t they only have to see them once a year.
I vote for a gift card for a sumptuous meal at a local restaurant. The couple can use it at any time, but perhaps they will choose to use it for their anniversary.
“Tbh, I don’t really know their style. But I like the design and they are different then typical wine glasses. And if they don’t like them they can always re-gift them!”
I think you should buy the wooden wine glasses for yourself. I think that is who would enjoy them the most.
I like the idea of getting tickets for a cultural event, but how do you coordinate the recipients’ schedule with the event? Seems like the logistics would be difficult, especially if you want the tickets to be a surprise. I’ve done this for my D and son-in-law and got tickets as a Christmas present for them to see a group I knew they really liked (Pink Martini). Turns out D/SIL had a commitment on the night of the show and couldn’t get out of it. They gave the tickets to friends.
In my case, the wedding couple is financially way better off than I am. A girlfriend of mine suggested Ten Thousand Villages dot com. Has anyone heard of it? Apparently products are made in poor countries and buying something from them helps the people in those countries that make the items. I checked their website and the items are quite nice and reasonably priced! Maybe I’ll find something there. I like the gift basket idea of wine & cheese (that’s what I was initially trying to get emilybee to do) but this is something I’ll need to mail or have the company mail…I’ll do some more looking!
I would never want to get the crest thing as a gift so would never buy it for someone else. Anything I got when I was married with a “wedding theme” went into donation pile. Just not me at all. I know a lot of people like that kind of stuff but I’m not one of them. Ditto the other wedding art.
I lost someone important to me to cancer in January. My birthday was in February, and one of the the nicest gifts I received was a card with a note that he donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of my friend. So, I can speak from experience saying people really do appreciate things like that. But I also know not everyone is comfortable attending an affair without a more traditional gift.
We may still be talking about this long after the event has occured. Do let us know what you decided.
Are you sure they arent registered anywhere? Have you googled them? I just attended an older (in 50’s) coworkers wedding and agonized over what to give them also. I wanted something special and finally gave up and bought flatware they had on their registry.