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Shortly after my partner proposed to me last year, we began planning our engagement parties — yes, parties plural. We wanted to celebrate with my family in Florida, her family in New Jersey, and our friends in Brooklyn. Needless to say, it was a lot of work.
We decided not to register for our engagement parties because we didn’t love the idea of people feeling obligated to buy us fancy gifts twice. For the wedding, sure — we’ll be registering for a Vitamix if anyone’s wondering. But for the engagement parties, we just wanted to be with our friends and family, celebrating this exciting next step we chose to take together.
I’ll be honest — money is always a great gift for a newly engaged couple. The cost of a wedding these days could make your head explode, and it’s likely that your gift will go toward helping them build a budget. But if you want to get them a physical gift, it’s best to go with something inexpensive that they can enjoy together.
Save the big gifts for the wedding once they’ve registered for the things they really want and need.
Keep scrolling to read my engagement gift recommendations, or check out more ideas here:
- 27 engagement gifts under $100 for couples who don’t have a registry yet
- 22 personalized engagement gifts couples will actually use
- 32 affordable gifts to congratulate the recently engaged couple in your life — all under $50
A cute set of mugs
Shelley Klein
Personalized Family Mugs, availed at Uncommon Goods, starting at $30
When my partner and I got engaged, someone sent us a set of these mugs with our avatars printed on and the year we met on the back. I’m not one for kitschy gifts, but honestly these were too cute. The idea itself was so thoughtful and sweet, and the mugs themselves are actually really great quality.
A decanter for the whiskey-loving couple
UncommonGoods
Your, Mine, and Ours Engraved Decanter Set, available at Uncommon Goods, $65
Whiskey is a way of life for some couples. You know the type; it’s the only thing they order at bars, the drink they love to sip at parties even when the host went out of their way to make special cocktails, and the night cap they share at the end of a long day. A nice decanter set with gender-neutral glasses will make this couple very happy indeed.
A cake stand for sweet celebrations to come
Mosser Glass
Glass Cake Stand, available at Uncommon Goods, $35-$105 (prices vary by color and size)
It’s becoming more and more common to have the top tier of a wedding cake preserved for the couple to eat on their one year anniversary. Give them something beautiful to serve it on, or to use for all their dinner parties and family gatherings in between.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- 30 thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts from Nordstrom — all with free shipping
- How to poach an egg four different ways — and all the tools you need to do it
- 10 new books Amazon’s editors say are must-reads this February
SEE ALSO: 42 baby shower gifts parents will thank you for — all under $50
Source: Business Insider