Unique Wedding Gift Ideas

These days many couples have already lived on their own, or lived together, long before their wedding day. This could make it difficult when you need to buy a wedding gift. Of course, money is always an option, and perhaps the couple has a gift registry. You may, however, choose to give a unique gift that will remind the couple of your thoughtfulness and affection long after the wedding. When choosing a unique wedding gift, think about the cultural traditions that the couple may have. A gift should fit their life style, and be in tune with their interests. For example, a gym membership might be a good gift for a health-conscious and active couple. A well chosen gift will match the couples personalities and interests.

Here are some inspired and thoughtful wedding gift ideas that are sure to be remembered and appreciated.

Who doesn’t like to go to the beach? Beach necessities may be overlooked as a couple sets up their home. Make sure they are ready to enjoy that perfect summer day at the beach by giving them a Day At The Beach package. I did this recently, and had the whole department store raving about what a terrific idea it was. I found a large, oversized straw tote. I picked two matching thick, oversized beach towels to match the tote, added a clip-on-the-chair beach umbrella, a soft-sided matching cooler, some matching travel drink cups, sunscreen, lotions, and a couple of paperback books. The best thing is, I purchased these when the store was having a 75% clearance on all their summer accessories. A $150 gift only cost me $60! And I had so much fun putting it together. I added a “recipe for a perfect day at the beach” note, with some ideas for having fun at the beach.

Why not start the couple’s wine collection. Choose a bottle for them to drink now, and a bottle to drink on their first anniversary.  Have your wine shop owner help you select a bottle of wine that will be good to drink in ten years. You can keep going, with a bottle for 20 years, and 25 years, if your budget allows. Notes attached to each bottle tell them when to drink it, and bear your personal message, such as, Happy First Anniversary, on one, Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary on the tenth anniversary one, and so on. Years from now the couple will still remember what a special friend you are.

As a new couple settles into the routine of day to day living, date nights sometimes become neglected. Ensure that they take time out for “dates” by giving them some “date night” packages. These might include tickets for things the couple likes to do together, such as plays or shows at their local theater, baseball or football games, concerts, or even movie theaters. Be sure to include notes to encourage the couple to take time out for regular dates.

Cooking together can be a great way for couples to spend creative time. Combining their personalities and tastes into meal preparations will enhance their dining experiences. Kitchen stores, such as Williams Sonoma, offer cooking classes, as do some restaurants. My daughter just gifted a couple with cooking classes offered by a charming local bistro in a street of shoppes where they live. Many schools offer continuing education classes and feature cooking classes in their listings. A few quick calls will get you gift certificates for classes, for a gift that will keep on giving as the couple's culinary tastes develop.

Gather recipes from members of the bride and groom’s families and make or purchase a decorative cookbook with them. Contact members of the couple’s families and explain that you are collecting recipes for the newlyweds. Type up the recipes on your computer, and compile them in a hand made or purchased book, or have it typeset at a print shop. Office supply stores have binding tools and binding services available for a small fee, to have the recipes made into a book. Be sure to include the name of the person contributing each recipe. This book will be treasured for years to come. Include a recipe of your own, for a special anniversary dinner for the couple to try on their first anniversary, along with well wishes from you.

A scrapbook of wedding memories will be a cherished and treasured gift for years to come. Blank scrapbooks are available at craft supply stores and specialty scrapbook shops. If you are crafty you can make a wedding scrapbook, and fill it with mementos of the wedding day. Include the wedding invitation, newspaper announcements of the engagement and wedding the menu and place settings, and any pictures you may have taken at the wedding. Make several extra pages where the bride and groom can insert their own pictures and journaling. If you are not crafty, most scrapbook shops have people to make scrapbooks for you.

Give the gift of organization! Help the newlyweds stay organized with a personalized calendar, made just for them. Shutterfly.com is one of many websites where you can create your calendar. It’s really easy, and only takes a few minutes. Full directions are on the site. Choose pictures from the wedding if you like, or from photos you already have of the couple. When you get the finished calendar, be sure to mark in special dates, such as birthdays and holidays. Why not paper clip a couple of envelopes with $20 bills in them on a couple of the months. Add a note - Enjoy lunch with your honey some time this month, or Take time for a date night this month....movies on me.

Most couples starting out will probably not have desk supplies. Along with the calendar you might include a stapler, tape dispenser, scissors, pens, file folders, staples, paper clips, legal pads. Package them, with the calendar, in a set of plastic drawer units.

Although it is not required, you may want to give a gift to give to a couple who eloped, or who announced their marriage after the wedding. Call the couple to extend your well wishes, and ask them to email you some pictures from their honeymoon destination. Print off two or three of the best pictures, and have them enlarged to fit some matching or coordinating frames for their walls. A good size would be 8 x 10 or 10 x 12.

Or you could make several of the pictures into a photo album of their special time together. Be sure to leave room for them to journal some descriptions and notes with the pictures.

When the first holidays roll around for the newlyweds, they may find themselves a little sparce on decorations and trims. Why not get them a couple of those large plastic storage crates, and fill them with trims, lights, and ornaments for their first Christmas tree, or a menorah and candles and trims for their first hanukkah, or other holiday decorations for their celebrations. A special “first” holiday ornament made by you will remind them of your thoughtfulness every year as they unwrap their decorations.

I hope this list got your creative gift-giving juices flowing. A little ingenuity and some thought about the betrothed couple, and you will come up with the perfect gift idea. As the wedding day approaches, you may wonder about gift-giving etiquette.  The following link will fill you in on what's acceptable, and what's not.