What to give for an engagement party gift

[DAISYDUCKRN]

My family has been invited to an engagement party, the bride is a friend of my son's buddies, and we have known the family for several years. The party is at a restaurant. I have no idea what is appropriate to give as a gift, there will be a shower within the next 6 months. Do we give money or should I buy a gift, was thinking of crystal or a china piece. If we give money how much, we are going as a family 6. Also what do young couples want for an engagement gift. They are in the mid 20's. Thanks so much

 

[Fyrefly]

Are there gifts for engagement parties? I've never been invited to one and I would think crystal and stuff ought to be saved for the wedding. Between the bridal shower and the wedding that seems like enough presents for me?

But okay speaking as a 20something girl I think if you wanted to give me an engagement present I'd like a gift card to some restaurant I liked, ideally with takeout as an option. If I'm going nuts trying to plan a wedding I think a gift that would make that easier would be appreciated.

 

[dismom301930]

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/glass-mixing-bowl-10-piece-set/

I received this gift at my wedding shower 15 years ago. I had not registered for it. To this day, it is the gift that gets the most use. I use one or more of the bowls just about every day. Other than a little etching from usage, the bowls are as good as new. It is now my standard engagement/housewarming/etc. gift.

 

[wiigirl]

A wine dinner or tickets to some special event would my suggestion.

 

[disneymom2003]

YOu are not required to bring a gift. If you would like something inexpensive should do it. A nice picture frame or a bottle of wine. You can Google it.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I always like to give the wedding picture/ wedding invitation picture frame as an engagement gift.

http://www.lenox.com/home-decor/frames/lenox/true-love-double-invitation-frame-by-lenox?R=28768&kf=e

 

[alyssa810]

Although I haven't gone to too many engagement parties, I did give cookbooks to one couple friend who were big foodies....of course now everyone gets their recipes online....other times my presence was the present LOL!

 

[wishesuponastar]

If I was invited to an engagement party, I would give a $50 check.

 

[AJ1983]

My family has been invited to an engagement party, the bride is a friend of my son's buddies, and we have known the family for several years. The party is at a restaurant. I have no idea what is appropriate to give as a gift, there will be a shower within the next 6 months. Do we give money or should I buy a gift, was thinking of crystal or a china piece. If we give money how much, we are going as a family 6. Also what do young couples want for an engagement gift. They are in the mid 20's. Thanks so much

I'm a little confused by this sentence. If the first part is correct, I scratch my head as to why you would be invited to a friend of a friend of your son's engagement party? If the second part is correct, and this is a family that you and your family had known for years, then I can certainly understand the couple including your family.

IMHO, I do not think engagement gifts are warranted. I mean really, engagement gifts, bridal shower gift, wedding gift...where does it stop? I think a card congratulating them on their engagement is sufficient.

 

[lovemygoofy]

This is an engagement party to formally announce the engagement to the world? I would just give a nice card saying congratulations. I'm sure you are going to be giving another present in the future to the couple.

 

[taaren]

I'll second the bottle of wine and a card. Save the "real" gifts for the shower and wedding.

 

[shoney]

I haven't been to an engagement party in years ....everyone is married already and the next generation isn't there yet!

Many of my friends and family members had them. People gave gifts or cash. Not token gifts, more like shower gifts.

We didn't have an engagement party because I just don't like them! I feel it is just too much to ask of people.

We always send/give a gift to close family and close friends when they become engaged. We received them as well.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What about a wedding planning software CD.

A freind gave me hers and it was so useful.

 

[DAISYDUCKRN]

I'm a little confused by this sentence. If the first part is correct, I scratch my head as to why you would be invited to a friend of a friend of your son's engagement party? If the second part is correct, and this is a family that you and your family had known for years, then I can certainly understand the couple including your family.

IMHO, I do not think engagement gifts are warranted. I mean really, engagement gifts, bridal shower gift, wedding gift...where does it stop? I think a card congratulating them on their engagement is sufficient.

I realize that I had worded incorrectly, the bride is the sister of a good friend of my son's, we have know the family for a long time. I want to give a nice gift, but honestly, the wedding shower and wedding will be around the corner. I may just give a nice picture frame, Lenox, and bottle of wine.

 

[littlelulu33]

We had a piggy bank made from Etsy one side of the pig said Wedding Fund and the other side said Honeymoon fund We had their names and wedding date on it. We also added a little money to it.

For another one that we went to we did the letter photo pictures with their names and live, love laugh. and then had it framed

 

[Jenny3]

We had an engagement party (or rather, an engagement picnic) and specifically told guests NO GIFTS, but some brought something anyway. I don't think you need to bring anything, but if you do, a photo frame or a bottle of wine is sufficient.

 

[living la vida mickey]

Engagement parties are pretty common in our area. I second the frame idea. I've also given the cake knife engraved with their names, a Waterford ring holder, toasting flutes, the guest book and pen, honeymoon type things like Mr. and Mrs. luggage tags, flip-flops, beach towels, etc.

 

[letsgoreds]

DH and I had an informal engagement party...we paid for pizza/drinks at a local popular pizza restaurant. A few people brought gifts, but I wasn't expecting anything. My future SIL who is the hostess with the mostest, and has a step father who makes wine, and she brought a case or two of those smaller bottles of wine, with our wedding date on them, which we then passed out at the party. Very creative and thoughtful.

I think MIL/FIL gave us glasses with our initials etched into them (also nice)...and I can't say I remember anything else.

We just wanted to get everyone together to hang out!

If I were invited to one, I would bring a card and a bottle of wine.

 

[aprilgail2]

Are there gifts for engagement parties? I've never been invited to one and I would think crystal and stuff ought to be saved for the wedding. Between the bridal shower and the wedding that seems like enough presents for me?

But okay speaking as a 20something girl I think if you wanted to give me an engagement present I'd like a gift card to some restaurant I liked, ideally with takeout as an option. If I'm going nuts trying to plan a wedding I think a gift that would make that easier would be appreciated.

All the engagement party invites I have gotten have come with registry info so I just buy off the registry- I usually pick up the bridal shower gift at the same time off the registry to have when I get that invite! Wedding gets cash. I HATE engagement parties-isn't it enough that you get 2 gifts for one marriage, you have to have an extra party to make it 3 gifts for one occasion? The last engagement party I went to was in a venue that is also used for weddings, it was 4 hours long and had a DJ, Dancing, cocktail hour and full sit down dinner--it was just like a wedding! Everyone I have ever went to has had a sit down dinner but typically not a DJ, dancing and a cocktail hour!

 

[pearlieq]

I've never thought of engagement parties as big gift-giving occasions. I might bring along a card and a token gift just out of genuine affection for the couple, but that's it.

I always saw it as an informal party hosted to celebrate the engagement and for the bride & groom's family and friends to meet and get to know each other since it's likely their circles haven't really crossed a lot before the engagement. I think it's a nice idea and I'm all for it as long as it doesn't devolve into a gift grab.