Coupon & Deal Blog

If there are two themes that I have noticed about this past Spring and Summer is:

1. People are having BABIES

2. People are getting MARRIED!

Not always in that order but you get my drift.. I am being a little dramatic while making this statement, but it seems like every other week I am shopping for a new wedding gift. Let me tell you, sometimes that can be very difficult! No, I’m not speaking of the cost and my pocketbook, though it is true, one must keep control of costs when buying so many gifts. No, I’m just speaking of buying gifts for people (usually family) that I might not know so well. What do you buy for cousin Erin (who you haven’t seen since 7th grade) and her new husband (who you only met briefly last Thanksgiving)?

There are a couple of rules of thumb when purchasing wedding gifts. Methods to insure that your gift is appreciated and not secretly despised. Here we go:

1. Money - Yes you can just give them money. Didn’t you see The Godfather? Just slip the bride an envelop of cold hard cash. It isn’t as tacky as you might think. It’s old school, and you probably will feel like a true player as you do it.

2. Use the registry - We all know at least one person who went a little crazy and registered for something outrageous like $100 toothbrush holder. However, if the registry lists gifts within your price range, choose something from the list. The couple will be thrilled to get exactly what they asked for.

3. When using the registry, try to complete a set - If you see that someone has already bought a place setting off the registry, buy a second one. If the casual dishes are filling up but no one has bought a formal setting, stick with the pack. One setting of formal dishes isn’t going to get a lot of use.

4. Always include a gift receipt - In spite of the best of intentions, duplicates happen when it comes to wedding gifts. (My sister received three fondue sets.) Resist the urge to think, “if I don’t include a gift receipt they’ll have to keep mine.” Remember that it’s a gift and it’s supposed to be about the bride and groom. A gift receipt is a simple way to ensure that your gift won’t go to waste.

5. Consider a gift card - This achieves much the same as the cash envelope option. If you’re traveling to the wedding, are unsure what to get, have budget concerns or simply want to be practical, buy a gift card for the store the couple is registered with. You can’t go wrong with that. Gift cards don’t break, are always the right color and they guarantee the perfect gift every time. Best of all, they’re really easy to wrap.

Now if you are really insistent on purchasing off the registry, I really advise at the very least shopping in a “safe zone”. Meaning buying from a store where all of the stuff is pretty classy, and almost everyone likes it. A good option is Pottery Barn. We have some very nice Pottery Barn coupons available, and there is a whole section on their website dedicated to wedding gift special. Here are a few of the highlights that I enjoyed:

Square Decanter Vintage styling. Handblown glass fitted with a round glass stopper. $25.00

Bedford Digital Photo Station Offers modern technology and organization in one. The 3.5″ Digital Frame can store up to 40 photos, and the top surface can be used to hold electronic devices while recharging. Smart feature includes a power strip with 3 plugs available for plugging in the frame, a camera and other portable electronics. Enjoy a sideshow of favorite photos while charging your camera and other electronics. The Digital Photo Station, the newest addition to our Bedford Smart Technology collection is designed to integrate technology seamlessly into daily life. $119.00

Bill Organizer This hand-finished organizer holds paperwork and has a numbered slot for each day of the month. $59.00