Wedding Gifts


Let’s be honest: even if it’s their second (or third+) time down the aisle, this is still their special day.

But picking a great gift does seem to be a bit more of a challenge, especially since they probably already have two toasters, two coffee makers, two blenders and two sets of dishes.

Digital Photo Key ChainWe like the idea of buying two (his and hers) of these digital photo key chains.

If they’re technologically challenged, we recommend staying away from gadget gifts and selecting a gift that’s a mutual interest of theirs. For example, dancing lessons or tickets to a comedy show are always fun, or camping gear if they’re the outdoors type.

If they like to cook, we also love these home-sized fruit trees (olive or lime) — they are great gifts for chefs.

The bottom line is that even though you don’t need to spend a lot of money, it’s important that you give them something that they can actually use. Still not sure to get them? Check out our gift ideas for the couple who have it all for some additional gift ideas or browse our other wedding gift ideas category.

key lime tree gift ideaWhen my brother-in-law moved to Florida, it wasn’t the weather, the beach or the view that made me jealous. It was his fruit trees in the back yard: he was effortlessly growing bananas, a pear tree, a lime tree and more. Forget the view, it’s the food that got my attention.

Thankfully, now the rest of us can enjoy fresh key limes from our own home with this Key Lime Patio Tree from Harry & David.

As I quickly went to harryanddavid.com to check out this great find, and found even more great gifts, in case key limes aren’t their food of choice.

tuscan olive treeThis Tuscan Terrace Olive Tree harvests year-round treats (although the tree only ships through Sept. 8) and is easy to grow in lots of bright light.

gourmet herb basketAvailable for shipping through Sept. 30, this Gourmet Herb Basket lets great cooks and aspiring chefs enjoy fresh rosemary, thyme and sage in their own kitchen. Even if they’re a terrible cook, this basket makes a unique housewarming gift that’s a clever alternative to sending flowers.

Who knows… with one of these great food gifts, you may even get invited to dinner!

I’m an internet shopper. I shop on the web. I bargain hunt on the web. I truly do as much as possible online (including grocery shopping!)

deluxe wall gallery frameBut when it comes to catalogs, there is one that still, to this day, gets my undivided attention: the Red Envelope catalog.

While browsing through the Holiday 2007 edition, I came across one of those gifts that fall into the I-really-want-this-but-maybe-should-buy-it-for-someone-instead categories. The deluxe wall gallery frame and hall gallery frame set have both been on my wish list for years.  With options priced between $68-$98, I’m in love with them because not only do they look cool and organized, but they also help display photos without making a room look cluttered.

Whether you’re looking for a great gift for mom or dad, something for a friend with too many photos around the house, or just dying to put something for yourself under the tree, these are a nearly-guaranteed home run.

Whether or not they believe in the practice of feng shui, this is one of our favorite housewarming gifts.

Feng shui practitioners suggest tying three bells with red ribbon and hanging them on the inside doorknob of your main entrance to welcome prosperity into your home.

One of our favorite sites (dragon-gate.com)for feng shui products offers this Receiver of Good Fortune for just $13.60!

Be sure to tell your recipient what to do with their gift – we suggest printing the product’s description from the dragon-gate.com Web site and including it with their gift.

good luck four leaf clover keychain
A little good luck never hurt anybody…

lucky money treeWhether you’re shopping for wedding gifts, a little something to celebrate a new job (yours or someone else’s) or even a hard-to-shop-for man’s birthday, it’s always kind to send a little good luck their way.

We like the selection of good luck gifts from RedEnvelope.com. Our favorites include the four leaf clover gift chain, money tree (looks great on a desk), lucky horseshoe earrings and framed four leaf clover.

With all that good luck, they’ll be flying you off for a weekend getaway in their private jet in no time!

Everyone has a few…you know, those cool pub glasses that somehow ended up in a purse or pocket when leaving that memorable bar/restaurant?

Here’s something that’s even better…anyone can swipe a pub glass, but it takes a special someone to have their own pub glasses.

Our favorite is this personalized pub glass design from Lenox.

Feeling brave? Personalize the glasses with his/her nickname!

Is pink the new black? It seems like pink has caught everyone’s attention lately: designers are mad about the color pink and pink seems to be showing up everywhere.

The good news: pink isn’t just for little girls or sissies anymore.

Here are a few of our favorite gift-worth pink products:

  • illy has these great pink Sigg Metro Mugs. Not only do they look cool, they promise to keep coffee hot for 6 hours and iced drinks cold for up to 10 hours!
  • This Daisy (pink on red) Warhol print is great for home or office.
  • You can’t go wrong with anything pink that comes in a vase – our favorites are fresh flowers from Martha Stewart Flowers.
  • Speaking of flowers…this pink watering can is great for either an avid gardener or someone who needs a reminder to water their plants. This
    kids pink watering can is great, too, for the young gardener (…or if the little one is more likely to remember to water than her parents!)
  • What’s the only thing better than a pink purse? A cute pink purse that’s only $16.50!

Happy shopping…and gifting!

Got something to say?

Your pillows do…they’re saying they’re tired, they’re dirty and they’re ready to retire. Now’s a good time to get some new ones that, coincidentially, do have something to say.

Check out the pillowhead shop for these great accent pillows with something to say: “carpe diem”, “peace”, “hi” — you can even customize a pillow and make it your own (custom requests can be made via the “contact pillowhead” link on the site).

So, if you were a pillow, what would you say?

It’s easy to buy a gift when you don’t like the bride and/or groom. When you like them, that’s when it gets tougher: you start thinking about the meaning, and the significance and whether it’s a good gift or not.

In our opinion (and we’ve been buying lots of wedding gifts lately), there are two very basic rules to follow when buying wedding gifts: (1) the gift should be for the couple: something they can do and use together and (2) it can’t be a toaster.

…so what do you do when they already have everything they need?

Simple. Get them something cool (that they don’t really need) and they’ll wonder how they ever survived without it. Here are some of our favorite top picks:

  • OK, so this one is a little more expensive, but definitely worth the money (and would make a great group gift). The mother of all margarita machines from Chef’s Catalog online, this also makes great non-alcoholic drinks, smoothies and milk shakes!
  • help them usher good luck and prosperity into their new home with a lucky bamboo plant from Smith & Hawken
  • perfect for the fun-loving couple who would rather spend a day at the beach, the bride and groom will love this Beach Door Mat from Swell.com. Even if they’re not beach bums (yet!), it may be a helpful reminder to take a vacation. (And it’s much cheaper than a pair of tickets to Hawaii!)
  • everyone likes receiving cash, but some of us just feel like we’re taking the easy way out when slipping cash into an envelope. Here’s the next best thing: buy them one share of stock from OneShare.com. It’s a real stock certificate and can be framed as well — choices include Apple, Starbucks, Harley-Davidson and even Haliburton.
  • don’t leave home without it: this Traveling Martini Set is great for evening picnics, moonlight strolls or trips with the new in-laws.