Thursday, November 6, 2008

A Wedding Gift That Will Not Be Kept Eternally In The Storeroom

By Dane Masters

Summer is a season for weddings as well and this early I have already received several invitations. Weddings are, for me, always anticipated. But with the excitement comes the problem of what gift to give as I hate to think that my gift will be one of those that will be relegated to the storeroom forever. Before the wedding, you also have to go to the bridal shower, and then I would also have to buy another gift, which makes it two gifts t think of.

First a Bridal Shower Gift

The good thing is that bridal shower presents can generally be purchased from a wedding registry, and if you go to the store early you can get good pick and wind up with something that you really want to give to the recipient. However, if you wait too long after receiving the invitation, presents will be picked over and you may end up with something that would not be your first choice. In the end, though, bridal shower presents are generally much easier to purchase than a great wedding present.

Wedding Present

Maybe I am just too detail oriented, but as much as possible I strive to fit the wedding present to the wedding's theme. For example, knowing that this couple loves the outdoors, I might give them a nice picnic basket with several bottles of wine. If my gift to them is an appliance like a mixer, I am likely to package this with some favorite recipes of mine or a cookbook.

Generally, I think it is nice to try to keep a wedding gift on a smaller size scale because it is difficult to transport gifts after a wedding reception. Trying to keep that in mind, things can get a little dicey!

On some occasions, gifts to the newlyweds follow the customs of the place where the wedding is done. Some regions in the country give money as gifts so much so if it is being given by immediate members of the family. Meanwhile, in our location, you will see very few gifts on the table while cards with money in it are aplenty. In the Midwest region, guests give material gifts, seldom money.

I am confident I will find the proper gifts for the weddings that I have been invited to, and I will, as usual think so hard what gift to give. I just have to accept that whatever the gifts I finally decide on, the newlyweds will surely appreciate the thought and the effort that went into that gift. If still my efforts fail to find the ideal gift, then I can still give cash, which I am sure will also be much appreciated. - 15634

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