Spring is almost here and with it comes wedding season. Even if you aren’t a bride-to-be, chances are you have a friend or family member that will include you on the guest list for their happy event.
As you make plans to join in the celebrations, you may be wondering how you’re going to give a gift that will be appreciated and meaningful without having to make adjustments to your monthly family budget. The couple’s wedding registry is a helpful place to start, but there are a few tips and tricks to purchasing the perfect wedding present without breaking your budget.
What did they forget?
The bridal registry is a brilliant thing. Although it’s very helpful to know exactly what the bride and groom need, not to mention to learn about their tastes, it may be full of high-end wish list items that aren’t necessarily practical. Registry clerks know that brides are in a shopping mood when they come in to pick out potential wedding gifts for their new home. I remember how easy it was to get caught up in the moment while looking at the pretty, shiny things in the store. But for young first-time brides, it’s also very easy to overlook many things that those of us used to running a household know will be needed.
Take a close look at the registry list for opportunities to gift something they may have forgotten but will be grateful that you didn’t. If the list is focused on things for the kitchen, consider putting together a gift basket with table linens, candles and a favorite dinner recipe. Make sure they aren’t missing any of the basic kitchen tools. While the registry might have a set of flatware, the happy couple will appreciate having a whisk, spatula, wooden spoons and other basic tools when they come home to make their first dinners together. If they focused on things for the master suite, take the color cues and put together a guest bathroom gift set.
Don’t forget the coupons.
Maybe recipes and crafty gift baskets aren’t your style. If either member of the couple is close to you, you may want to get them an item from their list. That doesn’t mean you have to pay full retail for it. Another blessing of wedding registries is that they give you time to make good decisions. You can keep an eye on that super blender for a while to see if it goes on sale before the wedding day.
You can also research to see if another retailer carries the same item for less. And by all means, don’t forget the coupons. That blue mailer for 20 percent off at Bed Bath and Beyond will come in handy. Online sales and promotions are another way to stack up savings when it comes to shopping for wedding gifts. Since you should be doing your research anyway, take a moment to check your favorite online coupon and deals site for both the brand of the item you’re considering and the various stores you might shop. You could find a very specific deal for Le Creuset or you might find that Macy’s is offering a discount on all things kitchen one weekend. Just because it’s a gift doesn’t mean you should forget your shopping smarts.
Consider a different kind of registry.
It’s been a while since my wedding day, but I remember the registry process clearly. We registered for all the traditional gifts in all the traditional places. Since the day I said “I do,” there have been some very clever innovations. Among those is the honeymoon registry.
Couples have tons of providers and options to choose from, and many couples that are combining more established households would rather have a dream honeymoon trip than collect more stuff for their home. Honeymoon registries are very flexible and offer lots of options for wedding guests. You can choose to pay for part of a big-ticket item like airfare or the resort booking. Gifts could also be smaller extras like a spa treatment at the resort they have booked or a guided excursion at their chosen destination.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the love of dear friends and family, you’re sure to find a wedding gift option that will make everyone happy.
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How to Buy Budget-Friendly Wedding Gifts originally appeared on usnews.com
