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Wedding gift etiquette question

We have two weddings coming up where neither couple has registered.  This is the first time this has happened to me.  What is the etiquette for gifts in this situation?  What do you normally do?  I am totally stumped.

I'm originally from CT where my norm is to give $$$.  Now I live in AL, where that is not the norm, andplusalso, I don't want to give $$$ to either of these couples.   

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Re: Wedding gift etiquette question

  • That's odd that they didn't register in an area that you say usually

    doesn't give cash at weddings. Maybe they have been dragging their feet?

    How  about a gift card?

    I can tell you what not to buy from my experience with

    wedding returns in my job:  frames and/or vases.

                              

  • Do you see them enough to know if they need anything for entertaining?  That's usually my go-to.  A beverage set, something like that.  Maybe a bean pot.
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  • Towels. Everyone always needs towels.
    A big old middle finger to you, stupid Nest.
  • imagepixy_stix:
    Towels. Everyone always needs towels.

    ftw

    image
  • imagedoctorwho:
    Do you see them enough to know if they need anything for entertaining?  That's usually my go-to.  A beverage set, something like that.  Maybe a bean pot.

    Ooh, right, this reminded me, Wilton Armatale metal serveware.

    Always a good idea.

  • if they are young (not that older couples don't need these) you could go to the useful things, TP, Paper towels everyone needs those...gift cards could pick a room (ie kitchen) and go from there

     

    Navy Wife Anniversary
  • One couple is my age (34), and they have both been on their own for a while, so they are like my H and I were - merging two houses worth of stuff, which is why I think they didn't register (plus they are having a small wedding).  If it's left up to the groom - our friend - I'm guessing he'd say not to bring a gift.  

    The other couple is about 30 - I'm honestly still trying to figure out WTF is going on with their wedding.  I really don't even want to go, but it's one of those situations where I kind of have to.  Since this wedding has been thrown together in about 6 weeks, I don't think it's even occurred to the bride to register.  She still lives like she lives in a college apartment.  

    Ugh.  My husband has said "If you don't register, can you even expect a gift?"  I have no clue.   


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  • Could you get them something that they can do together? Like a spa package, hotel gift card, restaurant recs, winery tour, etc?
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  • Do they drink?

    Could you do something like a wine of the month club?

    Lilypie Maternity tickers
  • I had to google what a beanpot is.  I cook a lot, and I'd never use one.

    What about an Amex gift card?  If you want to get more wedding-y personal, a gift card to a place like Williams Sonoma.  Even people with a stocked kitchen can find a reason to splurge there, even if it's just on the foodstuffs.

    Or you could go the dept store route.  They can buy fancy towels if they want or blow it on shoes.   

    image
  • Oooo....you could give them a filled wine rack.  We got a really nice bottle of Scotch.  Like, super nice.  So nice we haven't opened it yet. Embarrassed

    ETA:  The nice thing about the beanpot is that you can do pasta bakes or other crock-pot like stuff, but for 2.  Just dump everything in and toss it in the oven.  I have the Home & Garden Party one with the carrying basket.  

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  • One thing we got that we definitely didn't register for but loved was a set of deep pasta bowls with a few nicer jars of marinara and a few boxes of "good" spaghetti. 

    We also got an electric knife that we love.

    I also second (third?) the towel recommendation. We desperately needed them and didn't get them from anyone. 

  • I can speak as someone who didn't register.  Many of my friends and family were very annoyed that we didn't register but we didn't need any stuff.  I was just happy if people wanted to attend the wedding.  For those who asked about gifts, I spread the word that we wanted experiences -  GCs for the movies or a restaurant or an activity in town.  A nice wine or liqueur is also a great gift, if they drink.  We also received a fair number of Home Depot/Lowe's gift cards which I really enjoyed.

    I do somewhat regret not registering because I got a bunch of stuff that just went straight to the donation pile.  If you get them a non-consumable, consider giving a gift receipt.  I was shocked at how many people didn't do that when I always thought that it was standard.  But then, I didn't register so no complaining allowed Stick out tongue

  • What about tools, or a gift card to Home Depot or Lowe's? My husband and I always used to give a Sawzall and a Wonderbar as a go-to wedding gift, but all our friends are putterers. I still love getting HD gift cards as a gift.
    image

  • My most appreciated gift was pasta bowls and sauces from Williams Sonoma.
    Daisypath Happy Birthday tickersDaisypath Thanksgiving tickersphoto 307df189-2dc4-4bea-9b76-9ac6ceda8155_zps59ea37ee.jpgphoto c779d75a-0807-4fcc-b206-432ab43bdb6d_zpsf12ebd56.jpg
  • I'm not sure how I got into the habit, but left to my own devices I send a nice blender that would be an upgrade for most people (Waring if they're drinkers, KitchenAid if they're more cooks), but buy from a store that is local and include a gift receipt.  I sort of figure if they don't do a registry I'm allowed to "do what I want", but I include the receipt in case.


    image
  • imageLaurierGirl28:
    Could you get them something that they can do together? Like a spa package, hotel gift card, restaurant recs, winery tour, etc?

    This is what I'd do.  A GC to a nice local restaurant.

  • If there wasn't something that immediately came to mind, something I knew the couple would like or want, I would just give a check. Supposedly no registering is supposed to be a signal that the couple really just wants money for honeymoon, house down payment, etc. 
  • I never give money at weddings, I always give a nice vase, preferably Simon Pearce.
  • imageLucille Bluth:

    imageLaurierGirl28:
    Could you get them something that they can do together? Like a spa package, hotel gift card, restaurant recs, winery tour, etc?

    This is what I'd do.  A GC to a nice local restaurant.

    I like this idea, too

    One of our fave wedding gifts was a cheese of the month club from one of my BMs. Altho that may be more than you want to spend, so restaurant is nice. 

    image
  • I'm at a loss for you because I love giving gift cards to any and all occasions.  It is my crutch.
  • imageEmiIyJ:

    One couple is my age (34), and they have both been on their own for a while, so they are like my H and I were - merging two houses worth of stuff, which is why I think they didn't register (plus they are having a small wedding).  If it's left up to the groom - our friend - I'm guessing he'd say not to bring a gift.  

    The other couple is about 30 - I'm honestly still trying to figure out WTF is going on with their wedding.  I really don't even want to go, but it's one of those situations where I kind of have to.  Since this wedding has been thrown together in about 6 weeks, I don't think it's even occurred to the bride to register.  She still lives like she lives in a college apartment.  

    Ugh.  My husband has said "If you don't register, can you even expect a gift?"  I have no clue.   


    merging two homes? Definately a gift card to a home improvement store. That way whichever home they keep they can make belong to both of them.
  • Money.  If they didn't register, that's probably what they want.
  • Gift cards. I'd just do a $50 gift card to a store and call it a day.
    image "There's a very simple test to see if something is racist. Just go to a heavily populated black area, and do the thing that you think isn't racist, and see if you live through it." ~ Reeve on the Clearly Racist Re-Nig Bumper Sticker and its Creator.
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