A Gift Guide for Wedding Guests

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A Gift Guide for Wedding Guests

Attending a wedding can be a reason for excitement. Whether you have a close relationship with the couple of honor or you’re going as someone else’s guest, there is something electrifying about such celebrations. Naturally, there are also some concerns you might have. Getting the perfect gift can often prove to be a bit more challenging than some realize. While picking out the right present might not be straightforward, you can easily find a good fit with a bit of research. Review this guide and learn everything you need to know.

The Art of Giving Gifts

This might come as something of a shock to modern minds, but guests bringing gifts to weddings is a fairly recent concept. While presents and tokens of affection are somewhat synonymous with special celebrations, the current idea of wedding gifts stems loosely from the Renaissance practice of creating marriage chests. These chests served a utilitarian purpose, being the container a bride would use to store and transport her belongings to her husband’s home after a wedding. Over time, the tradition changed somewhat and it became common to fill the chest with items given to a bride for her wedding. 

However, the idea of gifts in the modern sense can be traced to an exact point in time: 1924. During this year, the American department store Macy’s unveiled what it called the “wedding registry.” From this point on, the idea of giving a present to a couple tying the knot went from a thoughtful gesture to a cultural mandate. While there is no hard rule saying guests must bring presents to a wedding, to not do so is definitely considered a faux pas in a number of respects.

The Registry

Since it was first introduced, the wedding registry has become a staple in the process of planning a wedding. If you’re a guest, a registry provides the benefit of having a simple list that can be used to select a gift. This eliminates the stress that goes along with having to come up with an idea from scratch. However, it also creates the problem of limited availability. If the couple is asking for specific or expensive items, you might not have the time or funds to procure them. 

Whether you use the registry comes down to your own personal preference. There is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding to pursue an alternate route when grabbing a gift. If you find that providing cash is the most sensible solution, then a rule of thumb is to give about $100 if you are alone and $200 if you are bringing a guest. The “plus one” should never be expected to bring a gift of his or her own, as this individual is a guest of a guest and typically doesn’t know the couple personally.

The Personal Spin

Another option to consider with wedding gifts is the personalized present. If you’ve known the happy couple for a long time, the standard items listed on the registry might not feel adequate to capture the importance of your connection. Do-it-yourself presents can be a wonderful option if you have a creative edge and enough time to complete a project. If you lack the ability to make something on your own, there are a number of businesses that create customized gifts using photos that can be a perfect fit for special occasions. 

The Fun Factor

A wedding is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. If you spend too much time worrying about the gift, you’ll likely have less fun at the actual event. The best way to pick a gift is to commit to your decision and leave it at that. 

Picking a wedding gift can seem challenging, but the solution is as easy as weighing your options. Consider what the couple will appreciate most, and it will be a lot easier to feel confident in your decision.

A Gift Guide for Wedding Guests

Attending a wedding can be a reason for excitement. Whether you have a close relationship with the couple of honor or you’re going as someone else’s guest, there is something electrifying about such celebrations. Naturally, there are also some concerns you might have. Getting the perfect gift can often prove to be a bit more challenging than some realize. While picking out the right present might not be straightforward, you can easily find a good fit with a bit of research. Review this guide and learn everything you need to know.

The Art of Giving Gifts

This might come as something of a shock to modern minds, but guests bringing gifts to weddings is a fairly recent concept. While presents and tokens of affection are somewhat synonymous with special celebrations, the current idea of wedding gifts stems loosely from the Renaissance practice of creating marriage chests. These chests served a utilitarian purpose, being the container a bride would use to store and transport her belongings to her husband’s home after a wedding. Over time, the tradition changed somewhat and it became common to fill the chest with items given to a bride for her wedding. 

However, the idea of gifts in the modern sense can be traced to an exact point in time: 1924. During this year, the American department store Macy’s unveiled what it called the “wedding registry.” From this point on, the idea of giving a present to a couple tying the knot went from a thoughtful gesture to a cultural mandate. While there is no hard rule saying guests must bring presents to a wedding, to not do so is definitely considered a faux pas in a number of respects.

The Registry

Since it was first introduced, the wedding registry has become a staple in the process of planning a wedding. If you’re a guest, a registry provides the benefit of having a simple list that can be used to select a gift. This eliminates the stress that goes along with having to come up with an idea from scratch. However, it also creates the problem of limited availability. If the couple is asking for specific or expensive items, you might not have the time or funds to procure them. 

Whether you use the registry comes down to your own personal preference. There is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding to pursue an alternate route when grabbing a gift. If you find that providing cash is the most sensible solution, then a rule of thumb is to give about $100 if you are alone and $200 if you are bringing a guest. The “plus one” should never be expected to bring a gift of his or her own, as this individual is a guest of a guest and typically doesn’t know the couple personally.

The Personal Spin

Another option to consider with wedding gifts is the personalized present. If you’ve known the happy couple for a long time, the standard items listed on the registry might not feel adequate to capture the importance of your connection. Do-it-yourself presents can be a wonderful option if you have a creative edge and enough time to complete a project. If you lack the ability to make something on your own, there are a number of businesses that create customized gifts using photos that can be a perfect fit for special occasions. 

The Fun Factor

A wedding is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. If you spend too much time worrying about the gift, you’ll likely have less fun at the actual event. The best way to pick a gift is to commit to your decision and leave it at that. 

Picking a wedding gift can seem challenging, but the solution is as easy as weighing your options. Consider what the couple will appreciate most, and it will be a lot easier to feel confident in your decision.

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