You open up the mailbox and there it is: a wedding invitation to a couple you love. Of course at first glance, you are excited and thrilled for the lovely couple who is getting ready to take the next step in their journey. But after the initial jubilation, there are surely some questions that start to creep into your mind about what to get as a gift.
Well, don’t fret! We are here to help! Below are some answers to questions you may be asking yourself as well as a list of unique wedding gift ideas for any situation!
How much should I spend on a wedding gift?
On average, guests typically spend around $100 on a wedding gift in the US. However, the amount you choose to spend can vary depending on many factors including your budget, your closeness to the couples, and what the couple is asking for. However, this doesn’t always mean you need to just give one big gift. Most importantly, find a gift you feel most comfortable with.
What makes a good wedding gift?
The best wedding gifts are the ones that help the couple while they transition into the next stage of their relationship, and that can mean many different things. Sometimes these can be items that help the couple connect on a deeper level, sometimes it’s a necessary appliance to help the couple make breakfast in the morning.
Should I only get wedding gifts from their registry?
Depending on your familiarity with the couple, it may be best to stick to the registry, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t look for options beyond the registry or find additional items. If you decide to find a gift option not on the registry, make sure to double-check your gift isn’t on the list to avoid duplications.
What are wedding gifts for couples who have everything?
Finding the perfect wedding gift for the couple that seems to have everything can be difficult. To help, we’ve outlined some unique wedding gift ideas below, perfect for any occasion!
Wedding gift ideas to help give the newlyweds more connection
Date Night Boxes
Date night boxes are kits that include everything a couple may need for a date night at home. They focus on connection and intimacy, and companies like Crated with Love use laughter and experience to help couples grow closer together.
With fun, unique, and whimsical themes, date night boxes can be the perfect inexpensive wedding gift for couples who enjoy games and lighthearted experiences - especially as they begin their journey into marriage.
(They also make great bridal shower gifts!)
Conversation Starters
If you are looking for an add-on or a smaller wedding gift, then look no further than a pack of conversation starters for couples. One of the most important parts of any marriage is communication, so this gift idea is not only one that will bring them joy, but will also help the couple strengthen their relationship.
When searching for conversation starters for couples, look for options that promote engaging, deeper-level conversations between one another. If you can find options that help inspire laughter as well, like the option above, even better.
Games for Couples
Much like date night boxes, date night games or board games specifically for couples (or even just two players) are created to help encourage fun and engagement. Giving a game for couples as a wedding gift may seem a little unorthodox, but you are helping to not only offer a joyful experience but an opportunity to create a lasting memory.
DIY wedding gift ideas
A time capsule of their relationship
If you know the couple well, you may want to consider a gift that is more personal or customized. As an example, if you have known the couple for the entirety of their relationship, you could create a time capsule of their time together that includes various items that represent special moments they’ve shared.
When they go to open up the time capsule (typically after they have said “I do”), they’ll each receive a rush of joy as they relive some of the most impactful memories up to that point.
Framed photo or invitation
If you know the couple you are gifting for has a lot on their plate, they may not have the time to keep some of the important items from their wedding special.
A unique wedding gift idea is to take some of those items from their wedding (save the dates, invitations, table decor, etc.), and frame them in a photo frame or shadow box. This is a simple, yet special, way to help them commemorate one of the best days of their lives.
A “honeymoon” gift basket
For the couple, their wedding is most likely to fly by in the blink of an eye, and with recent global and travel complications, having a ‘traditional’ honeymoon can feel more difficult.
A majority of couples end up paying for their honeymoon themselves, so a honeymoon gift basket might be the perfect gift to help the newlyweds enjoy their first days as a couple.
If you know that the couple is staying home for their honeymoon, you can create a basket filled with items to help them enjoy those first few days (like wine, at-home date night kits, delivery app gift cards, etc.). If the couple is traveling for their honeymoon, you can then create a basket filled with things to help make their travels less stressful and more enjoyable.
Unique wedding gift ideas not on their registry
Décor to make their house a home
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also look for traditional wedding gifts not on their registry. If you know the couple’s design style and taste well, you can look for décor items to help make their house a home.
This can be tricky if you don’t know the couple’s preferences, but if you do, it could be the perfect way to help them create that warm feeling as they walk through the threshold.
A luxurious, yet practical tool
If you know the couple will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen, you can look for luxurious cooking tools. Things like automatic pepper grinders or hand-crafted charcuterie serving boards add a simple, yet luxurious touch to their home.
A trick to coming up with an item is to think of something the couple will use more than twice a month but may be too ‘fancy’ for them to buy themselves.
A Keepsake library
A wedding keepsake library is a storage box that allows couples to store some of the special items from their wedding, protecting them from damage and securing them for the future.
There are many different types of keepsake libraries, including those for babies, travels, or other special moments.
Conclusion
Whether you are searching for the future or trying to come up with a last-minute wedding gift idea, coming up with the perfect gift idea can seem daunting at first, but the most important thing to remember is the true meaning behind the gift. No matter the price, the best wedding gifts are those that help the couple enjoy their marriage more or to help them create lasting memories together.