Here are some tried and true gift ideas that’ll be well received:
A Unique Photo Album
This gift has never let me down. I suggest the handmade paper photo albums with dried flowers inlaid into the covers. These go over well. Photo albums also don’t cost you an arm and a leg, and the Bride and Groom can never have enough of them. (This isn’t the case with food platters.) You’ll find unique photo albums at a good stationery or crafts store.
A Gift Certificate to a Nice Restaurant
Dinner out at a nice restaurant is always an excellent idea. My wife and I received a gift certificate to a great restaurant in the city and we saved it for our one-year anniversary. It turned out to be one of our most remembered gifts because it was like an extension of the wedding. (It was also sad because I knew the one-year rule was up and so were the gifts.)
Wine
A friend went to a good local wine store and asked the wine guy to pick out wine that would last until a future wedding anniversary. He chose a red wine (they last longer than white) that would be perfect in five years and another bottle that would be perfect in ten years. The wine guy helped him write a note explaining where they were made, which grapes were used, and when to open each bottle to experience it at its very best. This takes a little extra work and may cost some good cash, depending on the wine, but it goes over very well and will be something that gets good press. Hey, maybe they will even invite you over for one anniversary and share the wine with you!
The Registry
You don’t have to get fancy. If it’s on the registry, chances are they want it. If not, they can always return it for something else. Often the Bride and Groom receive gifts that weren’t on their registry, and these gifts may never end up being used. You may even get one of these gifts for your wedding without even knowing it … which brings us to re-gifting.
Re-Gifting
If you’re unfamiliar with this term, let me explain. Re-gifting occurs when you get a gift and then you give it as a gift to someone else.
There’s actually a big controversy brewing over this practice. I’ve found that men are much more comfortable with re-gifting than women are.
Despite my love for the concept of the “re-gift,” I wouldn’t suggest trying it when you’re a member of the wedding party. As a regular guest, go for it. A tip: remember to check for re-gifting clues, such as ripped boxes, old cards addressed to you that are hidden in the box, or outdated items. 