Stressing over what to buy as a wedding gift

[2beornot]

Hi everyone. Someone in my team is getting married next week and I've been arranging the department card and present. Thing is, I have no idea what to buy. They have no wedding list (asked for money towards honeymoon). I could get vouchers but I'd prefer to buy a gift if anyone has any great ideas? TIA

Lovely photo album and a picture frame - maybe one of those ones with many holes for lots of photos.

Steak knives - even better if you can stretch to the realy nice chunky wooden handled ones.

How much?

Nice passport holders and luggage tags? Somebody on here suggested that once and I've stored it away in my tiny mind because I thought it was a good idea.

Champers glasses and a bottle to put in them?

Nice shot glasses, ditto?

Le creusset dish?

Brilliant ideas. We've got £45-50 to spend so a decent amount.

I reckon if they haven't got a gift list they probably have everything they want or need.
I know some people think giving money is tacky but if you know where the honeymoon is to you could exchange to that currency and give to them to be used for a particular activity on the honeymoon. Ie an elephant ride on safari, diving in Thailand, putting a bet on in las vegas, wine tasting in Chile. rubbish examples but you get my drift.

I am getting married next year and asking for no presents as our house is bursting but if somebody did spend £50 on a dish or some glasses I wouldn't need them, wouldn't have anywhere to put them and would prob end up giving them away.

Chances are they will get loads of frames and photo albums too!

Btw I really am not trying to sound harsh, just honest. Why not get them what they have asked for

Tiny - if you get a Le Creusset dish you don't want, feel free to send it to me!

I just think that asking for money compels people to spend a certain amount for fear of looking 'cheap' and that some people don't want people to know to the penny how much they're spending. And I do think it's tacky to ask for money.

Picnic hamper and National Trust membership? Or just one depending on your budget.

We got 3 identical Le Creuset casseroles when we got married! They are great. But nobody needs 3.

I reckon if they have asked for money, get a token gift and give them the money.

I totally agree with TinyDiamond

Buy a really lovely card and convert the money to currency of wherever they're honeymooning.

I'd give them the money as that is what they've asked for.

Mr and Mrs pillowcases (can be personalised) from

www.notonthehighstreet.co.uk

Another one touting for cash!

Buy them John Lewis vouchers.

Love TinyDiamonds idea too

I know there's a whole debate over the etiquette of asking for money/vouchers, but since they have asked, then that's the obvious thing to give, surely? It's a waste of everyone's money buying them something they don't want.

I don't see what's wrong with wanting cash. If someone bought me John Lewis vouchers I'd swap them with my mum for the cash.

Then they can swap 'em. But I'd not give them money. Grabby and rude to ask for money as a gift. Ever.

I don't see why it is rude. It costs the same and is easier for the gift giver than choosing what to buy and shopping for it. My best mate is Turkish - she had money pinned on her wedding dress at her wedding, I didn't see any of her relatives calling her rude or grabby.

If they've asked for cash I would assume they need/ want it.

Maybe exchange what you have to the currency of their honeymoon.

I would also prefer to give a gift, but if they want/need the cash, I'd do that

Oh jesus wept. Here we go again.

A lovely food hamper?

I kind of agree that if they've asked for cash then give them cash. It's not as much fun as shopping for a present can be and it does mean they can see how much has been spent, but I guess they have everything they need if they have asked for cash.

I like the idea of changing the money into currency for their honeymoon! Maybe get some chocolates/wine with any leftover pounds?

Before I bust an Ephiny and hide this thread, I'd like to point out that the OP is STRESSING over what to buy. Her OWN WORDS. Proof if ever there was any needed that this supposedly unspeakably rude practice [of making it known that if people wish to give a gift, a contribution toward the honeymoon RATHER THAN CHOOSE A GIFT would be appreciated] is HELPFUL.

And I sometimes put lotto or euro millions tickets in cards with relevant numbers on.

So if they were getting married at 3 today I would choose 3, 8, 12, 29 plus their ages or house number or number if years they've been together etc

You never know, they could win!

I hate the idea of asking for money. More, I think, on an individual basis because the bride and groom would know exactly what we had spent. I don't think that applies so much with an office collection, because noone knows exactly how much each person put in.

So, in this case, I would probably convert the cash into euros/dollars etc, and put it in the card.

Incidentally, I am currently planning a honeymoon (not my own!) and am amazed at the number of brochures aimed at honeymooners which have quite detailed instructions as to how to set up a gift list with, for example, Kuoni or Thomas Cook.