formal wedding.... no gift idea!!!

[catnapper]

My friend is getting married and her wedding is VERY FORMAL. Black tie formal.

The wedding is in two weeks and everything from her registry is already bought. I have no idea what to get her!

She's more contemporary than I am. She doesn't want photo frames, any wedding albums, or anything that will sit around for a year before she sends it to the attic to never be seen again (her words, not mine)

I hate giving gift certificates. They've been living together and have everything they need house-wise. So no sheets, towels, kitcheny stuff is needed. The crystal and china is ALL bought.

He's a car fanatic. She's very design-oriented. Both are low-key people who don't have need or want for doodads and nick knacks. They are expecting a baby in February. I know right now she'd love a gallon of paint to do the baby's room.... imagine wrapping that gift! hmmm.... I could wrap some paint cards and tell her I'd buy whatever color she wants.

HELP! Any ideas would be appreciated.

I want a gift that will make her and her future husband laugh - I know the paint idea would make her laugh but being the formal wedding it is, I feel silly doing that, plus my husband would kill me!

My husband and her fiancee have become good friends. In fact, last night hubby told me that the fiancee is panicking right now because the rings haven't come in yet. I had no idea the rings were still in limbo but he did!!!

[Catty1]

Just because everyone is dressed formally doesn't mean you can't use humour!

If you go with a paint store gift certificate, wrap two big paintbrushes in a box with the gift certificate in an envelop on top of them. You might see if you can have their individual names and the wedding date engraved on each handle!

Or - go with a gift cert for a baby supply store, and put a baby's outfit or t-shirt with a funny or loving saying on it! Or again - their names and wedding date! (would be hilarious for the baby to wear! Neutral colour like yellow, unless they know if it's a girl or boy).If they truly are good friends - I think your husband might think combining a gift certificate with a 'sample' of what's attached to it is okay. See what he thinks.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Even if it is well known, I don't think baby gifts are appropriate for a wedding.

How about a coffee table book, or a magazine subscription? Or flowers/plants to be delivered every other month for a year? Or cheese of the month? ( I am assuming wine is out of the question until after baby is born.)

For a formal wedding (any wedding -- but especially a formal one) the gift should be sent to the home and not taken to the reception. It makes it so much easier on the bridal couple!

[Grace]

Just because everyone is dressed formally doesn't mean you can't use humour!

If you go with a paint store gift certificate, wrap two big paintbrushes in a box with the gift certificate in an envelop on top of them. You might see if you can have their individual names and the wedding date engraved on each handle!

I love this idea!!

[kitten645]

"Even if it is well known, I don't think baby gifts are appropriate for a wedding"

I have to agree. It should be their day as a couple. The first step in their lives together as it were. I think it could still be humourous. I saw someone come into my carwash today (the deluxe sort where you wait in a waiting room for them too clean your car) She had a gift card she got for her wedding. She said it was the best thing she got! It was unlimited for a year so she goes once a week! I thought what a clever idea! I'm sure there are his/her spa deals as well. I think the idea of a "service" rather than another "thing" is great.

Claudia

[Karen]

I absolutely think you can give them something no one else can - your help and expertise as a designer, and labor.

Get a nice piece of heavy-weight card-stock, and create a "room redo-help" certificate, including help with design choices, paint and physical labor - as in painting. Now, to make it look like a traditional wedding present, get a gift box, fill it with pretty tissue paper, and place the certificate inside. For weight, add a pretty, wedding - or car-themed paperweight. Or "his and her" Matchbox cars. Then you have a nice box to wrap, a gift that is fine for them to open, and even if you and they know the "room" in question is the baby's nursery, it isn't publicly mentioned. And the paperweight is something small but useful, and personal, or the matchbox cars are just fun desk toys until a couple years from now, when baby can play with them. But for now they are grown-up toys.

[moosmom]

Whenever someone comes into the store to buy a wedding gift from a registry and everything has already been purchased, I recommend gift cards at the store they're registered at. JMO

[cassiesmom]

If you go with a paint store gift certificate, wrap two big paintbrushes in a box with the gift certificate in an envelop on top of them. You might see if you can have their individual names and the wedding date engraved on each handle!

How about a coffee table book, or a magazine subscription? Or flowers/plants to be delivered every other month for a year? Or cheese of the month?

I love all these ideas. Harry & David has nice fruit of the month packages that you can choose from - 4 or 6 or all 12 depending on what you want to spend. Do they have a backyard? What about a fancy-smancy picnic basket with dishes and flatware, or one of those wine carriers they make from the material that's used for diving wet suits? Barbecue grill tools?

[Donnaj4962]

Since she loves momngrammed things, what about a doorknocker for their front door that has been engraved with their (her new) last name? Something unique and practical, and monogrammed.

I also love the idea of the paintbrushes with their names on each one. Maybe a certificate that youa nd your husband will come over and help paint and decorate. That could be especially helpful since she could be very pregnant by that time!