5 Great Wedding Gifts

There is an endless list of what every bride and groom needs, and for those with a large wedding, they may get everything on their list. But, there are also non-traditional items that a newly married couple could not afford; things that don't appear on a bridal registry. Here a few special gift-giving ideas:

1. Money. It used to be that giving a check or cash was a last minute and impersonable gift. However, in the times we live in today, it's one of the best presents in town. And you don't have to slip a check in an envelope and pin it to the bride's dress. Money can be fun and colorful when you put your mind to it. Try a Visa Gift Card and attach it to something fun, like a personalized mug with the bride and groom's name and wedding date. For more options, how about an assortment of gift cards such as a gas card, Visa, grocery card and JC Penney? When all is finished with the wedding and the new couple begins their life, a gift of some form of cash is the most helpful thing you can give. It will relieve some stress of the honeymoon expenses and allow them to purchase what they really need.

2. Night on the Town Tickets. Another great way to give them a gift is to give them a memory. Ticket vendors put their seats on sale months before an event, giving the young couple time to settle into their new life. But, with the pressures of the bills, they might not have the cashflow for a big night out on the town. Do your bride and groom like ballet, opera, theater, concerts or the symphany? Combine the tickets with a gift certificate for a nearby restaurant, and you'll have provided a wonderful evening that they might otherwise could not afford. No need for a manilla envelope, you'll wrap the tickets and certificate in beautiful wedding paper with a bow, and place it on the wedding gift table with the toasters. You can be sure this kind of gift is truly unique and will not be duplicated by others.

3. BBQ. Whether your bride and groom are living in a condo or house, there are BBQ's to fit all sizes of space. This is a great gift for spring or summer weddings which will give the couple a vehicle for entertaining in their new home. BBQ's are nice, but they are not priority to buy themselves when a couple is just starting out. To receive one as a gift might be there only way for them to have one in the first year of marriage. Perhaps another guest would like to give a complimenting Omaha Steaks gift certificate, or backyard patio furnishings. Try Amazon.com for best pricing on the BBQ.

4. Personalized gifts are very thoughtful and usually don't require a lot of money. How about a personailzed platter with the names of the wedding party? This creative gift comes from PersonalCreations.com for under $40. Their website allows you to choose the hair color and some distinguishing features of each member of the wedding party, then transfer them in cartoon form to a beautiful serving platter.Or, for a photographic-type wedding memory, try a magazine cover graced with the bride and groom on the front and back cover selling for $44.95 to $59.95 from YourCover.com. The price is determined by the frame chosen, or you may purchase without one. For gifts under $20, try a personalized coffee mug or personalized garden ornament.
Plow&Hearth.com offers unique potting crockerey with the bride and groom's name and wedding date, and these handsome planters are priced right at $59. For that one of a kind touch, try a custom-made figurine set of the wedding couple from BlueChopsticks.com. A sculpting artist will craft the set from a photo with amazing life-like features. The figurines start at $169 with option of full bodies or heads only. Another touching decorative item comes from WeddingStand.com with a unique figure of a wedding chapel with the bride, groom and wedding details on the marquis for just $81.

5. Grab Bag Gift Box. To meet the needs of both bride and groom, try a big boxed filled with "his" and "hers" items. Perhaps you'd like to individually wrap each piece inside, or just attach a pink or blue bow. If you know the couple well, try to get items that are relavant to each person's interests. Does he like fishing? Throw in a fisherman necktie. Does she like oil painting? Wrap her a knick-knack of a canvas and palette. The items might be functional or decorative, costly or budget, but the couple will know you took time to collect little items in their area of interest to make the gift as personal as it gets.
www.plowhearth.com
www.weddingstand.com
www.personalcreations.com
www.yourcover.com

www.bluechopsticks.com