Hi moms! My husband's best friend is getting married next year. His mother is throwing the couple an engagement party next week. I don't know the protocol for gifts for an event like this. (I'm assuming that a gift is expected...) Do you have any ideas for gifts for the happy couple? They are already living together, and they have not put together a gift registery yet. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! I think I will use Sigrid's suggestion and give them a card with an open invitation to dinner out. Easy and fun!
By the way, I'm glad to hear that a gift isn't required or expected. I'm starting to dread wedding events because they seem to be more like fundraisers. I figure if we offer to take them out to dinner, at least we'll ALL have a good time.
Engagement parties do not require (nor should the parties involved expect) a gift. There are going to be plenty of opportunities for gifting later in the process.
This is my "go to" gift for engagements..Crate and Barrel has a three part rectangual dish (made of 3 squares) I buy that and in the three squares I put (1)hershey kisses (2) M+Ms, (3) assorted nuts (in clear treat bags found at craft store). And attach a card that says...
"I hope your marriage is...full of kisses...colorful...and a little bit nuts!!"
My favorite find and favorite gift item this year is the One Trip Tote. I think the website is www.onetriptote.com. This isn't your typical tote, rather it is a very LARGE and multipurpose tote that every couple, woman, family should have. It's beautiful, unique and useful. The idea is to be able to carry everything you need for any outing in ONE Trip. IE., from house to the car, to beach, lake, school, shopping, laundry, etc... tons of great suggestions on their website. When I give it for a gift, I fill it with appropriate items for the occasion. Everyone loves it. Good luck!!!!
A gift certificate to their favorite restaurant is fine to celebrat the upcoming nuptials.
A nice set of wine glasses or beer mugs :) depending on their preference is always nice!
Big, soft, fluffy, warm furry blankets-usually have them in Mexican stores.
theatre tickets or gift cert for a dinner date night out, something creative from crate and barrel?
What about a nice photo album where they can keep favorite pictures from their engagement party, showers etc leading up to the wedding.
I've seen nice ones at Target for around $20.
Nice card and a bottle of wine. If they don't drink, maybe a small certificate for dinner at their favorite restaurant.
If they are already living together and haven't registered, I would go for something like a Target or Home Depot gift card. I know it seems impersonal, but speaking as someone who was divorced and is getting remarried in the spring, I already have wineglasses, dishes, and a lot of the traditional 'bridal' stuff. My fiance and I bought a house together a couple of years ago and what we REALLY need is to do some work on the house, replace a sliding door, put new flooring down in the family room, etc.
I know those don't seem like really 'bridal' gifts- but it is what we really would like and need. People can always use things from Target or Home Depot!! Another nice gift would be a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in the area and a book of movie theater gift passes. A good night out is one way to keep a happy marriage!
Hi Lucy give them a gift card since they have been together and probably have plenty of stuff.
Engagement gifts are not required, but im sure you feel (like the rest of us) that you should walk in with something. I usually feel that the small and heartfelt gift works best for engagements. A personalized photo album for the shower pics and other wedding related items, or a weeding check-list, or a journal for her last single-girl thoughts. If you are close to the bride, this might be a good time for "something blue". Keep it small and related to the wedding. Good luck!
What about a gift certificate to their favorite resturant or ticket master so they can go see show...maybe you can make it a date night and you can plan to do these things with them???
Bottle of wine or champagne would be my suggestion. Engagement parties are not like a wedding big gifts are not expected, it is more like a coming out party for the happy couple.
You could also give them a very nice card with an open invitation out to dinner at a nice restaurant.
S.
I went to an engagement party and did not bring a gift. I am not sure what the purpose of the party is. I guess to announce their "intent" to get married at a later date. I honestly don't feel a gift is in order; totally my opinion though. Between the bridal shower and the wedding, how many gifts do we really "need" to buy?
a bottle of wine and some wine glasses is always a nice gift. or a gift card to somewhere that they can get what they need.
you could always go with a really nice picture frame; a bottle of wine and a couple of nice wine glasses. some gift, but not a large gift. However, it has been 25 years since I have been to an engagement party!
I don't know if you have heard of Scentsy, but you can get a plug-in warmer for $15 and a bar of scented wax, for instance Lucky in Love for $5. Then you have a unique, small gift for their home! Check out my website at www.scentsy.com/cgreenlee
