Unique wedding gift?

[msdznyduck]

I am attending a wedding in a few weeks for a male co-worker. I do not know his fiance. Any ideas for a unique wedding gift? Their gift registry is no help, since her wedding shower wiped that out. I really don't want to just put $$ in an envelope for them. But don't want to look like I'm just giving them kind of a shower gift also.

They are both involved in healthcare, and have the tendency to work weekends and sometimes longer hours. He now works weekends where I work during the week, so I don't run into him as much anymore, so don't have the opportunity to ask for ideas.

Any new brides that later wish they had put something else on their list?

Thanks for any help.

 

[monkeyboy]

 

[stinkerbelle]

this is going to sound really tacky...but alot of people don't "replenish" their gift registries in the hope of receiving $$ at the wedding.

 

[msdznyduck]

Originally posted by monkeyboy

I am sure this would be an attractive piece of wall decor. Certainly would be the focal point of the room

 

[monkeyboy]

They are in health care

this promotes good hygiene

 

[msdznyduck]

 

[tinatark]

For the past few weddings we've attended, I've had the invitation framed/matted very nicely. If there's any way you can get the engagement photo and include it, that would be great, also.

One of the couples we gave this to called us on the way back from their honeymoon, gushing about how much they love and appreciate our gift to them.

At our frame shop, framed and matted these have been $50-$75

 

[Crankyshank]

One of our guests took our invitation and had it made into a wine bottle label from a local vineyard.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My favorite weddiong gift that I still use today (wedding was 9 1/2 years ago) is a ring holder. Waterford makes several nice ones for about $40 each. I have long hair and it always gets tangled around my wedding set, so I put my rings on the holder when I take a shower. It was not on my registry, but I am forever grateful for the single guy (yup, a single guy got it for us) who thought that would be a nice gift!

 

[tkd lisa]

I used to get a nice cookbook and some bakewear if they were young. Established folks have usually figured out how to cook, and what to cook it in!

Tupperware is also a good bet (and available at Target now).

I personally don't like the gifts that use wedding invitations, but then, I'm not a knicknack kind of person. Most of those type things are serious dustcatchers!

 

[aimee11621]

Love the framing idea!!! Thanks!

 

[TEENEE]

How about something fun, for the honeymoon. A basket filled with lotions, games, toys, candles etc. You get the idea.

 

[disykat]

When male friends of mine got married and I didn't know the bride, I used to buy something really practical that every house needs(it wasn't usual to give cash here at the time). Like a nice Atlas, a folding card table, even tools.

 

[phorsenuf]

I don't know how much you want to spend but if they are both in healthcare and work long hours maybe a GC to a nice bed and breakfast. That way a few months after their honeymoon they can escape for a bit and unwind and renew their spirit.

 

[robsmom]

Things i really use that i got as wedding/shower gifts:

set of 2 big ceramic mixing/pasta bowls. look nice on display but come in handy

engraved glasses/engraved salad bowl - with our initials

nice serving bowls for entertaining (not part of china set0

 

[Jillpie]

25 Christmas ornaments for their first Christmas tree.

 

[minniecarousel]

How 'bout a picnic basket that has the nice tableware (wine glasses, plates, etc).

 

[noodles]

Crankyshank,

Do you know where the invitation can be made into a wine bottle label? What vineyard was it from? I love this idea. Thanks!

Noodles

 

[mtemm]

I loved the idea of framing the invite, but I'll tell you, I got 2 of them at my wedding.

I absolutely LOVE the idea of the ornaments,, especially some nice ones, assuming they do a tree. obviously this wouldn't work if they were jewish

one thing my MIL gave us before our wedding that was awesome was a huge basket filled with every little cooking tool she could find...everything from herb cutters to lemon zesters to potato peelers. it was so awesome, very much appreciated.

 

[Aimeedyan]

christmas ornaments are great!

I got several things with my invite on it, too, and we're not real sentimental people so we didn't display many of them.

What about a cool kitchen thing from Williams Sonoma or Crate and Barrel? LIke a unique serving piece, wine charms, appliance that isn't the norm?