What would be an ideal wedding gift for a close friend ?
I’m looking for something different, yet something which would be useful to her.
All ideas are welcome.
Re: Wedding Gift
I would give cash or a check unless she has done bridal/wedding registry somewhere, then you can buy her something off her registry.
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Yup, I second cash. It's the most useful thing, and since she's a close friend, I'd be generous with it.
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Doesn't cash feel impersonal though? =/ especially coming from a close friend. Is it ok to give a gift along with cash? Or can you give jewellery + cash, or is it too OTT?
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normally I would say gift cards/$$ seem impersonal but as someone planning their wedding, I would be stoked to get money from my friends and family since we wanna go on a legit honeymoon and it would help a lot. I'd rather get that than 5 toasters that I'm not gonna be able to use since I already have a toaster, anyways. :P
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No, I want to do something different. Something with a personal touch. Yet something useful.
PS: She will travel to another country for her marriage, so I have to give something that's not bulky either.
Wedding Gift
A beautiful watch.
Wedding Gift
A leather handbag that is functional yet classy.
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I think a purse would be awesome. Also, I don't know what country she's moving to but maybe you can buy her a trip to the spa/massage...I would LOVE it if a friend did that for me.
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No, I want to do something different. Something with a personal touch. Yet something useful. PS: She will travel to another country for her marriage, so I have to give something that's not bulky either.
but you asked for useful suggestions, no? cash is the most useful thing you could give her, especially if she's moving to another country afterwards. she can spend it on herself or setting up her house and every time she sees what she's bought with your cash, she will think of you. no one needs/wants a special personalized watch, a stand mixer, or fancy cake stand with their initials engraved into it or whatnot. that's just a gift for the gifter to feel good about themselves re: sentiment vs. the giftee getting something useful. nothing wrong with that but its not what you asked about.
in terms of other ideas: gift cards won't be much use since she'll be in a different country and the stores might be different or not accept the gift card. a couple's spa getaway would be lovely (we did this for a friend but there were 7 of us contributing so we ended up sending them on a mini honeymoon that they wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise) but you would have to book it without knowing what dates work for her and her husband unless you ask her beforehand, and as i said, its pricey. an expensive timepiece like a rolex would be gorgeous and VERY special if your budget can accommodate this. or you could find a compromise and give her something like jewellery plus cash. i like the handbag idea too!
Re: Wedding Gift
No, I want to do something different. Something with a personal touch. Yet something useful. PS: She will travel to another country for her marriage, so I have to give something that's not bulky either.
Cash/gift card is the most useful thing to gift for a wedding. However, if you are adamant on buying something, why not give a small piece of jewelry or watch she can wear often. For my wedding, my best friend gave us a gift card to Apple (my husband & I dated for few years before wedding thus she knew my husband had been eyeing certain Apple products for a while so that GC was actually meant for him lol). Additionally, she also gave me a white gold chain with a pretty pendant which I actually wear often.
We may be able to give more useful suggestions for a item if you're willing to share your budget.
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Will she be living in a new city/country after the wedding? Could you give a generous gift card to a restaurant, tourist site, bednbreakfast, or show, something the newly weds can enjoy together in their new home town?
Cash is great, but I always feel like I want to do something else special. You could do the bulk as cash and something small and personal. Does she have a registry?
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How about a photo-book with pictures of you guys throughout the years? And then give cash? There's always nice bracelets like Swarovski -- she can wear them on her big day too!
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i agree with those above who said money would be most practical and useful.
if you really dont want to do money then ... how about a memory quilt? of her life/your time together etc ... its going to be uniqe, v time intensive to put together, great sentimental value and certainly useful in decor or actual use.
A high end ... charcoal hand drawing of her or the couple ?
hard to make more suggestions here as we dont know the person/her interests .... you do. pull something from her life thats meaningful an turn it into a gift.
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Money is the most practical but not very memorable. How about a crystal or designer clock? That way anytime she looks to check the time she will remember you.
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I would suggest money, if you want to add something, maybe go for a fancy piece of jewelry, bag/purse, or picture album. However, as she will be traveling, I would strongly suggest to stick with money.
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more importantly. what's your budget?
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Honestly, a cash gift doesn't have to be an amount that you can not afford, add a nice note, maybe a handmade card with your gift.
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Lusi, believe me, a $10 cash gift wouldn't look good...i would rather gift a AM/FM radio in a nice package and a greeting card from Dollar store rather than handing an envelope with a $10 bill/gift card.
what do you thnk now?
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^ Relax, I highly doubt she meant $10 
Talk about exaggeration…