The BEST Wedding Gift. . .

[Rambina]

What was your most favorite, most used, most special, most practical wedding gift? My cousin is getting married in two weeks and I've already purchased stuff from the registries but I still feel that it's not enough. I want to do something a bit more special and thoughtful.

Giftcards really aren't an option because it would defeat the purpose of my intent, imo.

I am also already doing the "basket of candles" gift.

I would appreciate any input or ideas;)

[SweetRed]

Well, the most used, most practical, most favorite gifts actually came from our registry. We registered for nice dishes (in lieu of fine china) and use it a ton. Not everyday, but any time we're doing something a little different or extra special. I think of the gift givers every time we use them.

Outside of our registry, we got a bottle stopper (for wine bottles) that was made by a local artisan. We use that quite a bit. In addition, we got a handmade afghan that is my DH's favorite. Too bad it's bright pink!

I am not at all discouraging you from getting creative and being extra thoughtful, but most of the other gifts we got that bordered on "creative" are sitting in the back of a closet. Just be sure to consider the lifestyle and tastes of the couple (but I'm sure you'd do that anyway :))

[ellidew]

My favorite gift to give is a box of hand blown glass ornaments (http://www.downbythestation.com/brideb.html) from a little shop here. It's called the bride's box and it's filled with all the ornaments for a couple to hand their first christmas for good luck. They're beautiful and we always get rave reviews from the receivers!

Here's a picture of the ones we buy. They're available for internet order.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/ellidew/ornaments.jpg

[Sol]

Our favorite gift was a set of matching monogrammed fluffy robes. We use them pretty much everyday!

[Rosebud]

Here's a thread with more ideas:

Favorite Wedding Gift (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5151)

We really appreciated getting gifts relating to our honeymoon. A friend gave us a bunch of Euros and a guidebook, which was fantastic. We didn't have to exchange currency & were ready to go! It was great to be able to splurge on a really nice dinner with some of those Euros.

Other than that, we mostly liked/appreciated the stuff off the registry that was special and we wouldn't have purchased ourselves... the formal china, the Waterford crystal, etc. We actually do use it fairly regularly when we have people over.

[Rambina]

Thank you so much, ladies! I really appreciate your help and ideas. I don't know why I'm so rebellious when it comes to registries. I don't mind purchasing gifts off of them but I always like to do something that's more thoughtful..that comes from me. I realize that an item that wasn't requested could potentially end up in the back of the closet. I know my cousin well enough that that wouldn't happen, but i completely understand your points of views.

I just might stick to the registry with extra stuff!

[Missy2U]

Well, considering when your cousin will be getting married - Christmas - how about a beautiful crystal "First Christmas" ornament? My SIL got that for us for our first Christmas being married - it is one of our most treasured gifts we've ever received.

[Rambina]

Missy2U- that is a fantastic idea! She is actually getting married NYE but it's still the Christmas season...and now I will most likely find a sweet "First Christmas" ornament half-off:)!!