Engagement gift help

[Inyourwildestdreams]

Looking for a small gift, £30 max. Completely lost as to what to go for.

• they dont drink alcohol
• they don’t live together and have no intention of doing so anytime soon
• they’re having a very small registry office wedding so nothing really to plan/save for

Any ideas?

Do you need to get them an engagement gift? It sounds like this is a very low-key engagement if they have no plans to live together anytime soon and presumably no plans to get married soon? I don't really remember anyone getting us an engagement gift and we were your quite stereotypical never lived together before, had no plates or cutlery or towels, wedding 6 months from engagement sort of couple. I think maybe a few close family might have sent a card.

If it's someone you'll see (at work, a neighbour), I'd be inclined to drop a card by and some other sort of celebratory thing - a bottle of a nice alcohol free fizz (if you know they drink it - I don't drink alcohol and I'd love a bottle of AF fizz) or a cake or some gourmet brownies or something that feels like a nice treat for two. Really though they sound quite low key, so maybe just a nice message saying congrats and save your efforts for the wedding. Even if you aren't invited, you can still send a card and small gift.

I don't think engagement gifts are really done these days, unless they throw a party, in which case I'd take something. If you really want to get something, a nice picture frame? John Lewis vouchers?

Voucher for a nice cafe or restaurant near them? Hamper?

Agree, I don't think engagement presents are traditional anymore ... surely a card and a genuine, handwritten message will be sufficient?

I wouldn't bother to be honest (and do like giving gifts, do so frequently) - a card is fine. If you really want to them a voucher towards a celebratory meal or something but I'd save actual gifting for the wedding when that happens, or when they move in together (housewarming etc).

Thanks all 😊 I automatically just think of getting a gift for any celebration but you’re right, maybe it’s best to wait for the actual wedding 😊