Wedding Gift Quandry

Updated on September 05, 2013
Y.M. asks from Lone Tree, IA
19 answers

I feel foolish even asking this but I'm drawing a blank.

My SIL is getting married in an intimate, informal ceremony (with a large reception afterwards). This is her second marriage. She has an established household with two children. They don't need any of the usual wedding gifts. They aren't registered anywhere. I do not want to give the couple cash. That seems thoughtless given that this is my husband's sister. So what the heck do I get these two who want for nothing?

I did make a small canvas art piece for them but think I need to add something to complete the gift. Naturally, my husband is no help.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Something personalized, with her and the Husband's name on it?
If you Google Search "personalized wedding gifts"... so many options comes up.

This is her 2nd marriage. But is this her Fiance's 1st or 2nd marriage? In other words, If her Fiance is getting married for the 1st time... I would think it may be a bigger deal... for him and his side of the family?

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you asked her if there is anything she wants? My sister in law is getting married and they already have a house...so she registered for 'fun gifts' but said she prefers money for the house/honeymoon, etc. So that is what we're giving her.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

I guess my first answer is, there is never a couple who wants for nothing. Of course, unless they are billionaires. My hubby and I have an established household, and we make good money, but there are still things I want and need, especially things I just wouldn't buy for myself.

So, do some digging. I just texted a friend whose birthday is coming up and said hey, have you ever been to Sephora? I was digging to see if she likes the store as I would purchase her a gift card. Her response was nothing short of elation, talking about how amazing the store is and what I should check out when I go. She has no idea what I did.

So do that - find out what her hobbies are - is she getting into health/cooking/juicing - many options there. Has she mentioned wanting to redo a room - a giftcard to pier 1 is not thoughtless. You can do this if you really think about what she likes to do.

If he or she cooks at all, you really cannot go wrong with kitchen items. They all run out or get overused eventually - except good pans. =)

We got wine as a wedding gift, and honestly, it is one of the gifts I most remember. It was just different.

Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

Why not babysit for the children during a long holiday weekend while your SIL and her new husband stay at romantic B&B?

3 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Gift card for their favorite restaurant or local theatre. Doesn't necessarily go with the art pieces but it's an idea.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think cash is still the best gift. Hardly thoughtless IMO especially with your art piece.

Updated

I think cash is still the best gift. Hardly thoughtless IMO especially with your art piece.

2 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Cash is not thoughtless IMO. I got cash for my first and second wedding and was very thankful for it. It allows the couple to purchase what they want/need or save for a trip or use on the honeymoon if they have one. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Houston on

Maybe a "doing something" gift, like flying a plane, or kayaking, hot air balloon ride.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L..

answers from Roanoke on

Maybe there's something they have already that needs to be upgraded? Do they have a crappy blender or a broken toaster? Maybe some nice new towels or throws or blankets or something.

2 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

A picture frame - they will still want a wedding photograph. Or one of those larger frames with multiple cutouts in the matte so they can display photos of themselves, some with the kids at the wedding, and so on. There are also e-frames now where you load the photos in and there's a rotating display.

I love the suggestion about babysitting while they go away. Something you made yourself is lovely - don't underestimate its value to them.

Instead of cash, you can give them his & her massages at a day spa, or a lovely and romantic dinner out. I realize it's not a lasting thing but it's something really FOR them.

When we were in Wine Country in California, we found a store that engraved the couple's name and the particulars of the wedding (date, location etc.) on a wine bottle - we could choose from a variety of wines from different vineyards. It really was a unique and special gift. They can save the wine for their first anniversary, or drink it sooner, but still save the bottle as a display item or a vase. We got it for my husband's daughter and she just loved it, still has it. I'm sure you could google it and find some options.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Do they like wine? If So a couple nice bottles of wine (a white a rose/blush and a red) and two nice wine glasses In a gift basket with a nice picture frame (target sells really nice ones that are wedding )

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Our anniversary was earlier this month. Both 2nd marriages. I was trying to find an anniversary gift for him and came across a website called personal creations. I found this summer love tree print. It's a print of a tree with our names "carved" in the tree with a heart around it and the date of our marriage. And then there are other trees and foilage in the background. My husband loves gardening, plants, and the outdoors. He also has been known to carve our names in trees so I thought it was perfect. He actually thought it was a real carving that either I had done or that he had done and forgot. The kids and his mom thought it was real too. So maybe something like that? It was pretty inexpensive, so maybe a gift card to a nice steak house too? If she has kids, they might appreciate a date night after they are married. Below is the link to the print I described.

http://gifts.personalcreations.com//Summer-Love-Tree-Prin...=

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.A.

answers from Houston on

I think the art piece you made is better than anything purchased and much more personal than cash.

Anything made by hand is a real treasure.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

get them a gift card to a nice rest.to go with pic.that insures a nice date nite

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Phoenix on

You sound like an artistically inclined person. Maybe you could take photos of their ceremony and have them framed/enlarged, or recruit someone else to do this if you are not such a great photographer.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Lots or great suggestions! My first thought was tickets to something- based on their tastes, maybe a sporting event, concert, play, musical, etc?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

What about an engraved frame with their names and date for one of their photos?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.H.

answers from St. Cloud on

Make them a "family fun night" basket with money for pizza delivery, games, snuggle blankets, pop, etc. Something to have them do as a new family?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

As someone that was recently married, I recommend giving them cash, especially if they didn't register.It's what they want. If they needed any household items they would have registered and honestly, it's hard to find frames, etc that you know will be their taste. Going even further, if you get it personalized, they can't take it back. Just stick with what you know they will use and like, which is cash.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions