Wedding Gift

something off their registry or money

J.

Since it's an old friend and you probably have an idea of their taste, you could look at local art fairs for nice but not terribly expensive pieces of framed art or unique glassblown vases, that type of thing. Tricky to try to do well with someone you don't know well, but can be very nice. Some of my favorite wedding gifts are things I didn't register for, since you tend to only register for the basics. (on the other hand, some of the unused/donated later gifts were also things that expressed someone else's taste but not ours, so you have to really know the person.)

I second the registry or money suggestion. Getting something off the registry ensures they will get something they WANT or can USE instead of something that they might not need. If you don't like anything off their registry, give them a gift card so they can get something they need for their new life together. Money is also fine.

I don't agree with the money idea if your own budget is tight. You will feel like you're not giving "enough." I say go to the giftware department at Macy's and find something pretty...a crystal bowl or a nice cake server. Anything that will have sentimental value and make them think of you when they use it, and if it's on sale, so much the better.

Things Remembered has some cute things. I got something from there for a friend and she loved it. I also got a jewelry box personalized from being a friend's maid of honor. Its real pretty and I appreciated it deeply. Just an idea...

My best friend gave me a picnic basket (one that came with the plastic dishes and silverware already inside) and then she filled with some great stuff, including wine, a bottle opener, candles and a romantic CD. I have seen similar baskets for about $20 at Target and Cracker Barrel restaurant gift shops. It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to add things. You can go to the dollar store for wine glasses and an opener. You can add a blanket or gift certificate for someplace that makes "picnic food" like a local deli or even Subway. And, you can get a reasonable bottle of wine anywhere. Another thought is to add lawn seats to Ravinia for a show they might enjoy so that they have an excuse to use the basket and get a night out.

As someone who's really into the holidays, I also appreciated wedding themed Christmas ornaments. Christopher Radko makes some that are beautiful and certainly not cheap-looking.

Finally, I found a wonderful woman in the south suburbs that makes personalized ceramic pumpkins. Her website is ceramicscraze.com and she can put any name into the mouth of the pumpkin. I have given them as shower gifts and they run about $40-$80 depending on what size you choose.