Slide Show | May 2007
INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
iStockphoto
Compiled by Jessica Anderson, Erin Burt, Andrew Edelen and Cameron Huddleston
Slide Show
INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
ANNIVERSARY BUBBLY
BigStockPhoto.com
Buy them a bottle of champagne to drink on their first anniversary or a bottle of wine that'll be at its best by their fifth or tenth anniversary. Enlist the help of a specialist at your local wine shop to help you select a bottle that will peak at the right time. Or check out Wine.com for advice. ANNIVERSARY BUBBLY
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
FOR NIGHTS IN
NetFlix
Every newlywed will be inundated with kitchenware, bedding and even bath goods. What they may forget is how to relax now that they have new grownup gear. Bring out the kid in them with a sampling of their favorite board games. Or sign them up for a Netflix subscription for all those nights in -- now that they are out of the dating game. FOR NIGHTS IN
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
MAKE A SCRAPBOOK
BigStockPhoto.com
A wedding scrapbook is a great gift from an individual or a group. Collect things leading up to the wedding -- a bridal show ticket, your invitation, notes from friends or a matchbook from the bachelor's/bachelorette's party -- and take a lot of pictures before and during the ceremony. Combine everything in a nice book with plenty of space for the couple to add their own mementos. MAKE A SCRAPBOOK
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
CREATE DIGITAL MEMORIES
iStockphoto
Let's face it: Some of us just aren't crafty enough to make a scrapbook that's gift-worthy. So put away the scissors and glue, get out your computer and create a DVD slide show featuring photos of the couple. Include shots from their dating years and take candid photos at the wedding. For background music, add in their favorite songs. They'll love watching it and showing it to friends and family again and again. CREATE DIGITAL MEMORIES
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
START A TRADITION
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
A Christmas ornament or holiday decoration to start a collection for their first holiday season together adds to the memories of a year of firsts. Several companies, such as Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, offer ornaments that are engraved or handpainted with the newlyweds' names and the wedding date. Most are $20 or less, so this is an inexpensive way to give a personalized gift. START A TRADITION
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
TRAVEL TRIPOD
Joby
They'll want to have pictures of themselves together on their honeymoon, but everyone hates asking strangers for endless shots. Solution: a travel tripod. Try the Gorillapod for just $22 at www.thinkgeek.com. It screws into the bottom of any digicam, and its leg wrap around any surface nearby. TRAVEL TRIPOD
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
CREATE A COOKBOOK
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Now that your newlywed friend is cooking for two, she (or he) will appreciate having plenty of recipes for tasty dishes to impress the spouse. Plus, if the couple are young and just starting out in their careers, they'll save a lot of money by dining in rather than eating out. So gather your favorite recipes -- and your friends' and family members' -- to create your own cookbook. You might be able to talk the chefs at the couple's favorite restaurants into offering a couple of their recipes, too. And consider adding anecdotes to the pages: stories about your friendship, tales of the couple's courtship or what makes the dishes in the cookbook special. CREATE A COOKBOOK
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
THEME BASKET
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If you know what the couple's interests are, this is a great way to personalize a gift. For example, if they are movie buffs, fill a basket with some of their favorite flicks, popcorn and other snacks. Or you could whip up something for romantic evenings (or mornings) at home, such as a bath/spa basket or breakfast-in-bed kit. THEME BASKET
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
MONOGRAM IT
Pottery Barn
A monogram can be an inexpensive way to add a touch of class to an ordinary gift. Several catalog companies, such as Lands' End and Pottery Barn, offer monogramming on linens and towels. The Company Store has free monogramming on selected items, such as its towels. The newlyweds can pull them out to impress guests. Or you could get the couple a his-and-her set with their names on them for everyday use. MONOGRAM IT
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INEXPENSIVE, YET THOUGHTFUL, WEDDING GIFTS
FOOD FOR THE PANTRY
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The couple probably will receive plenty of mixing bowls, blenders and other kitchenware. Help them put those items to use by filling a box with spices, pasta, rice, canned goods and other baking basics. It will be unexpected, make a big impact and definitely come in handy as the couple is just starting out.
