Wedding Gift

[akmom]

I am looking for a wedding gift idea for a Christian couple who were just married overseas. They are late '30s, fairly well-off, live in a very small place because they travel, first-time marriage for both and no kids between them. What kinds of wedding gifts have you received that you cherished? I don't think the typical household items would be useful for them, as they probably already have some between the two of them (they lived separately prior to marriage) or they might not have space for it. They are dear friends, but we have not seen them in a few years because we moved.

Any suggestions?

 

[ValleyGal]

If it's a couple that is not married yet, it's a great idea to find a few others to pitch in for a marriage preparation workshop. But the wedding has happened, so I'd recommend a workshop like Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. when we offer the workshop, we usually charge about $150/couple, depending on location. But this is for an overseas couple, so that might not work, depending on where they are...but the book and workbooks are available, so it might still be a good idea. For workshop educator contacts:
https://www.gottman.com/wp-content/uploads/7ppEds-Jan2014.pdf

Another thought is to pitch in for a marriage coach - even in one or two sessions, a coach can help them set some goals so they have a marriage of purpose, or anything else they prefer to talk about, like adapting to marriage.

Of course, those are my suggestions because I'm partial to marriage-building. If they are not like that, one thing my mom-in-law got for us is a marriage afghan - white, embroidered with our names and wedding date in one corner. It's exquisite! We like it so much we keep it put away to save it's whiteness. I'd like to display it at our 25th anniversary, and other special occasions. I absolutely treasure it.

Another thing I treasure is a plaque my husband had made - it was laser-engraved with our vows. He got it for our first anniversary. I absolutely treasure that as well.

 

[akmom]

Oh wow, those are great ideas! I don't think I have the time to make an afghan, but that would have been a truly lovely gift.

 

[ValleyGal]

If you do a web search on personalized wedding afghan, you can find companies who will do it for you. ... there are some beautiful ones out there, and most of them cost about $50 (in the US). There are other ideas, too, like a serving towel that's embroidered. A friend of ours received one of these as a gift. They framed it to remind each other that their marriage is one of service to each other and together for the Lord.

 

[akmom]

That is actually a great idea. Thank you!!

 

[cerette]

I agree that anything with their names or initials would be nice. Perhaps a nice Bible with "Mr & Mrs Whatever" engraved on the front?

 

[cerette]

Wedding gifts that were extra special to me were "love themed" cups, we drink our morning coffee out of them on our wedding anniversary. (Yeah just use them once a year, keep them in a china cabinet for display the rest of the year)

 

[Autumnleaf]

Towels and pot holders.

 

[Inkachu]

It depends on the couple. What do they like/want/need? Some couples might cherish like, monogrammed towels, while others would think "really? how about a coffee maker?"

Unless you know their tastes and habits well enough to send something you're pretty sure they want or need, go with the fail-safe option of a gift card (include a nice personal note) so they can choose something for themselves.