So your friends have just gotten engaged and of course you are delighted and happy for them. The wedding is still some time away but you have been invited to the engagement party and are wondering if and what you should give the happy couple as a present. Of course, for the wedding they will be using a gift registry but how about the engagement - are you really required to give a gift at all?
Although engagements have a long-standing tradition, the actual act of getting engaged has only recently seen a great revival, with engagement celebrations becoming more common place in the last few years. It is unsurprising therefore that there is uncertainty as to what constitutes a suitable engagement gift.
First of all, unless you are part of the family or belong to the closest circle of friends, you are not required to give an engagement gift at all, although you might still want to give at least a little something if you are invited to a party or dinner to celebrate the occasion.
Secondly, you really do not need to worry about getting something big: this is not the wedding yet and there might even be a bridal shower where you will be required to give another gift, so keeping it small is perfectly fine for this event. Most couples would rather have you spend more on their wedding gift, on something they have picked out for their new life together and really want, than to receive several smaller gifts. Also, there is no need to make it something practical, as this is what the wedding gift registry is for.
Keeping it simple and personal is the way to go and even the smallest token will be enough to congratulate the soon-to-be-weds. In this case, it really is the thought that counts and you giving a gift at all, however small, will suffice to show how happy you are for them.
So since you are not restricted to a gift registry or have to worry about buying useful gifts for the marital household, you are totally free in your gift choice. Nice packaging and a heartfelt card with some personal and meaningful words of congratulations will complement your gift nicely.
There are tons of great engagement gift ideas that are not costly but that will nevertheless communicate your sentiment of congratulations. You should still aim to make it personal if you can - wine, flowers and chocolates all make great gifts but if you are more than distant acquaintances, they might be too impersonal. If you want your gift to be remembered, put a little bit of thought into it before you choose something and it will be treasured by the couple for a long time.
Here are some great engagement gift ideas to inspire you but feel free to come up with your own creative ideas:
- Tell a story: How about writing down a few interesting stories or anecdotes about the couple in a beautiful notepad or even on some luxurious sheets of paper? Maybe the story of how they first met or how the fell in love?
- Photographs: Why not select several pictures of the happy couple in unusual or funny situations and print them on a gift of your choice (think mugs, fridge magnets or whatever else you can think of) or put them into frames or a pretty album?
- Gift baskets: Planning and organising a wedding is extremely stressful, so why not give the couple a relaxing gift hamper to help them unwind during the pre-wedding period? You can find fantastic gift baskets for couples online, with suitable bath products, massage oils and a relaxing CD.
- Flutes: Pick some elegant toasting flutes with the couple's names engraved on them.
- Matching key rings: His and Hers heart-shaped key rings engraved with their names and wedding or engagement date.
- Countdown clock: Why not give them a clock that counts down the days to their wedding? You can get it engraved with their names and the date of their big day.
留言列表
