Need wedding shower gift ideas...I am on a BUDGET!!

[jennifer293]

My best friend's little sister is getting married (I don't know her very well) and I was wanting some cute shower gift ideas for someone on a TIGHT BUDGET!!!

When I got married I got a HUGE box filled with just about anything you could think of and it was the best gift ever, but I don't have much to spend.

All of her registries are from expensive stores and a bunch of pretty sit around and collect dust kinda things. I want to get her something she will actually use.

Thanks A BUNCH!!!

 

[Claroquesi]

One good knife.

or

cookbook holder.


or

gift card for what you can afford to spend from ritzy store or Vicky`s

People register because they want that stuff, but in fairness to you there should be some reasonably priced items on there...if not, can`t you go in on something?

 

[tiggger1]

how much can you spend? One of the best things that I got was a Mop bucket filled with cleaning supplies. It had sponges, windex, amonia, antibacterial cleaner, dust wipes, and a bunch of other cleaning supplies. I found out later that she got it all at the dollar store and only spent about $25 ( i knew my friend didnt have alot of cash)

another idea is first aid basket, bandaids, antibacterial cream, alchol, gauze pads, numbing spray, asprin, pepto, anti itch cream)

I Also got a laundry basket filled with tide, dryer sheets, stain removers and scotch guard plus a clothes line and clothes pins

the best thing is that it can all be found at the dollar plus you need and you have to buy it so why not get it for a gift ( in a pretty decorated basket!)

 

[Tine731]

Have you received the wedding invitation yet??? I always have the invitation framed as a gift...sometimes I will even paint flowers, sea shells or something that reflects the bride and/or groom onto the invitation itself. You can frame it yourself at a craft/hobby store. It can be as inexpensive as $10. but the sentiment is priceless. It gets a huge response and now my family and friends expect it this special gift.

 

[jennifer293]

I can only spend about 25.00 max!!!

Thanks for the ideas thus far. I hate doing gift cards because then they know the exact amount you spent...

I know those registries should be of things they really need or want but it appears on all of them that she went and scanned the most expensive things she could find...WHO KNOWS

I think I may do the laundry basket idea because I KNOW for a fact that she will get good use from that.

Yes I did get a wedding invitation and her sister already knabbed that idea..but thank you!!!


I spent all my $$$$ AT WDW and really only have enough left for groceries and bills...but hey I got to go to Disney...FINALLY!!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

how much can you spend? One of the best things that I got was a Mop bucket filled with cleaning supplies. It had sponges, windex, amonia, antibacterial cleaner, dust wipes, and a bunch of other cleaning supplies. I found out later that she got it all at the dollar store and only spent about $25 ( i knew my friend didnt have alot of cash)

the best thing is that it can all be found at the dollar plus you need and you have to buy it so why not get it for a gift ( in a pretty decorated basket!)

I love this idea, I wish someone had done this for me when I got married! Money was so tight for us when we were first starting out, this would've been great.

 

[ReneeQ]

Both my sister, then years later my sister in law, received a similiar gift, which is along the gift basket idea. It was one of those stainless steel looking collandars, filled with a few kitchen towels, pot holders (you could look on their registry to get their colors), some long taper candles tied together with a ribbon, a box of spaghetti pasta and a jar of sauce. Very cute (and useful!) gift.

 

[amyjo]

Is there a cookbook you have that you really like and use alot? Get her a copy of that and write an inscription in the front. My maid of honor did this and it says something like "I've enjoyed many meals from this book and hope you will too." I loved the gift and still use it 13 years later!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

One of the best gift I received was a basket full of differnt kinds of spices.
It was lined with some dish towels and pot holders as well. I don't know where you're at but Trader Joes has great prices on spices.

 

[SusanD]

I have given a gift pack from Penzy's spices (www.penzeys.com) as a shower present. They have some assortments that are reasonably priced and come with packing materials of whole nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. Very nicely done and better than the average boring gift.

 

[minkydog]

I like to give a good bundt pan and my fool-proof recipes for pound cake(never failed in 25 years!) and applesauce cake( my delicious alternative to fruit cake!) I also throw in a small bottle of pure vanilla, a small bottle of lemon extract and a small bag of black walnuts(goes in the applesauce cake). That's usually between $20 and $25.

I like the idea of buying spices--they are so expensive. But if you could buy even five spices, like oregano, bay leaf, sage, chili powder, and cinnamon that would give a new bride a head start.

Everybody needs a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, and a garden hose. Even if they live in an appartment, they might enjoy some tomato plants in large pots or some tiki lights to decorate the patio.

 

[my3kids]

I love these kit ideas. I got some kitchen items....a pasta server spoon, some spatulas, and a few towels. I loved it because I had none of that. The first aid kit is great....cleaning supplies. Everyone needs all these things. You can get neat looking basket type things at the Dollar Store, then buy the items to fill it. You can find coupons on cleaners. If you can buy many bottles of items, fill in with sponges or such.

 

[Jacksmom99]

My mom themed my bridal shower. Gifts were supposed to reflect something that could be used in an emergency. At my 2nd shower out-of-state, I got a recipe with each gift. You could collect favorite recipes from friends and family and put them in a nice recipe box. I still use my 9 years later and it was definately one of the best gifts. I also received a sewing kit with all sorts of 'emergency' fixes; patches, bottons, pins, thread, etc. I still have that also. One of my favorites came from my jr high best friend, she gave me a cookbook and a kitchen fire extinguisher. I guess I know what she thought of my cooking abilities! I also recieved a bottle of champagne and 2 glasses wrapped in nice ribbon with a couple of candles. Many people gave me quick meal and dessert fixings. A pan, all the ingredients for an 'emergency' meal, and a recipe. I also got a basket of cooking/baking supplies. I like the cleaning supplies idea, too.

 

[ttfn3]

A nice picture frame. The bride will have lots of photos from the wedding and honeymoon. You can often find a nice frame at a crystal shop on clearance or on sale for a good price.

 

[jennifer293]

thanks for all the great ideas..you have given me a lot to choose from. I am going to go shopping today while DH watches the kids...(Lord do I ever need the "alone" time). I am going to take a list of all the wonderful ideas here and put something together for her...

Thanks again!!!

 

[LSchrow]

bottle of wine, cheese, crackers, 2 wine glasses with pretty ribbon tied on their stems, same color candles, all wrapped in 2 matching cloth napkins.

put in a basket (you can add some matching ribbon to the handles, hot glue some ribbon flowers, etc). aside from the wine/food, the items can be bought at a $.99 or discount store

depending on budget, you can add movie or play tickets, cheese knife/cutting board, wine tags ~ it a very flexible & personalized gift

basically, think of a nice, romantic eve, & add items that YOU would like.

hth

 

[jenndisney]

I received a laundry basket full of stuff. Each item had a note card explaining how to use the item. It was so funny.

For Example: The laundry basket said it could be used for dirty clothes, but also to do a quick pick up of the house when my husband calls and says we will have company in 15 minutes.

The sponge was for cleaning, but also to put in ice cold water to wake my husband when he thought he needed to sleep in and we had work to do.

You get the idea....They were written so cute, but I have them put away.

The other thing I received was a recipe book with some great (easy) recipes. I still cook them today.

 

[fkj2]

If you know someone with an embroidery machine, maybe they'd do you a favor and embroider some towels (buy 'em on sale, of course). Either their initials or maybe something for a specific holiday to help decorate the baths.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

One of my favorite gifts from my wedding was a wedding photo in a mat that the bridesmaids had people at the wedding sign. My bridesmaids bought an inexpensive photo mat at the local craft store. They brought it to the wedding along with a few markers and went around and had people sign and write a few words on it. They also took a nice photo of hubby and me. While we were on our honeymoon they had the picture enlarged and they bought an inexpensive frame, popped in the mat and framed it. It is one of my most loved posessions!!! It was so thoughtful and I love it!! they also did this at my baby shower many years later...again thoughtful and inexpensive.
I went to a wedding where I had to sign a platter that the bridesmaids had purchased at a ceramic store. They had us sign it with some sort of speical marker and then they were going to have it glazed clear for the bride and groom to use. It was a nice idea.
Are you creative, how about making some scrapbook pages for the bride? I didnt get any of my photos back from months after my wedding . I would have loved to have a few candid photos taken at the wedding in a scrapbook to show off until the "Real" photos came.
What about some pizza coupons, a movie rental coupon, ice cream coupons etc...........A nice romantic dinner does not always have to consist of gourmet food. A pizza and a movie would be a treat once and awhile. you can buy a few coupons, put them in a cute package etc. You could probably get 5 or dinners (Pizza and movie ) for $25.00. Package them up cute and I think that would be a great gift.
Address labels and stationary with their married names is a good idea. You can even make it on the computer if you are crafty. Mr. and Mrs. so and so. I think you can have this done pretty inexpensive at Kinkos or other copy places. Also how about a personalized rubber address stamper? You can have cute ones made with little people etc...check on line.
A box of christmas ornaments etc. These are usually cheap now in the summer (If you can find them). Hallmark has some 70% off. I saw them a few days ago. We didnt have anything for our tree our first year married. We hung velvet bows on it until we got some ornaments of our own
I know this sounds silly but we got a magazine subscription as a wedding gift. We were moving from Boston to upstate NY and one of my cousins gave us a subscription to YANKEE magazine so we wouldnt be homesick.. We both enjoy it. Do they like photography, sports, cooking, gardening, I thought it was a great idea then and now.
Good luck!!!! Hope some of these helped.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

thanks for all the great ideas..you have given me a lot to choose from. I am going to go shopping today while DH watches the kids...(Lord do I ever need the "alone" time). I am going to take a list of all the wonderful ideas here and put something together for her...

Thanks again!!!

I recently went to a wedding shower and I bought the bride a picture frame from www.personalizationmall.com and it got here in about a week. It had their names engraved on it and was the hit of the party...

They have several styles from which to choose. And some codes to use:

LS8845 - 5% off any order (no expiration date)
LS6244 - 10% off any order (no expiration date)
LS3201 - 15% off any order (no expiration date)
86772073 - 20% off any order (no expiration date)
LS6680 - $5 off any order with minimum $15 purchase (no expiration date)
LS5551 - FREE shipping on any order with minimum $50 purchase (no expiration date)