When it comes time to attend a wedding there are certain things you think about and one of them is the wedding gift. Depending on who the bride and groom are to you, you can decide what is appropriate to get them .The easiest and most common gift is money. There is not a single person who would not like money as a gift which is why most guests turn to this form of gift. However, oftentimes guests like to get the bride and groom something different, something they will remember them by, or something practical. Below are some things to consider when trying to buy a practical wedding gift.

Home Improvement

Every newlywed is in the market for home items. Newlyweds are typically just moving in together or recently purchased a home. As it is commonly known, home ownership can be costly. A practical gift for a new home owner may be to chip in on the cost of their home improvements. Things like yard work, insulation installation, tile, woodwork, carpet, paint, decorating or appliances may be helpful to aid in sharing the cost. As a new homeowner these items can add up and become overwhelming so it would be a huge relief to receive such a gift. 

Vacation Excursion

A happy couple usually loves to spend time together. When they are lucky enough they will get to travel and get away from the daily norm. This allows them to reconnect or celebrate life’s happy moments. The new mr. and mrs. are likely to go on a honeymoon as well after the wedding. Vacations of this nature are very expensive, especially when you want to make it memorable and special. To help with this you can purchase excursions or gift certificates to use during their travels. You can get them a gift certificate to the hotel they are staying at. This could go towards their stay or even drinks and dinner. You could also get them a gift certificate to a restaurant or bar to go towards an evening out while they are away. Are they looking to be adventurous? You can get them an excursion for their trip. A sightseeing tour, day trip, dinner cruise, hike, wine/beer/food tasting or local attractions can be a hit for the couple. This is giving them an experience that they may not get to have or may not want to spend the money for. This way they will always remember what you contributed to their special getaway.

Home Devices

Along the lines of home improvements for a newlywed couples new home, they also need to furnish it. Furniture pieces, antiques, family memorabilia is a very practical gift that will allow them to remember that special day. Artwork can often be an investment that is a gift in itself by giving it to someone because it will decrease in value over time. Artwork can be in the form of wall art or even sculptures or table pieces. Besides furniture and decor, you can also contribute to their electronics inventory. A new television, speakers, stereo system, security system, lighting or smart home devices can be used for years to come are greatly appreciated. Again, these are things that may not be purchased by them so they will enjoy the “treat”. Couples can even register for these gifts if they would like. You can find many types of registries online now. 

Investments

As they begin their new lives together, money is always appreciated. However, money can come in other forms besides a check or cash. Some alternative forms of value are items such as savings bonds, cds or stocks. Savings bonds are a nice gift because they are backed by the government and offer a guaranteed return. Similarly, a CD, or Certificate of Deposit, is an investment product offered by banks and other financial institutions that give you a fixed rate of return for a fixed term. Another gift that individuals enjoy is actually the gifting of stocks. You can purchase a share or a particular number of shares for an individual and they can watch it grow (hopefully) in the years to come. My parents did that for me when I was growing up. They gifted us with Disney stock and we would always watch what it was doing so it taught us about the stock market and we also earned money when it was time for us to leave the house on our own. 

Everyday Essentials

Many people have been affected by the pandemic. Now may not be the best time to spend a huge amount of money. If you’re looking for a practical yet affordable wedding gift for your family or friends, why not get the couple everyday essentials, such as toiletry sets, kitchen tools, linens and beddings, and casual clothes for everyday wear? These are all things that the newlyweds need in their new home. You can save them the trouble (and the dollars) by helping them secure some of their home essentials.

All of these items can be used as alternatives to the standard money gift and are also practical. They would be enjoyed by any couple you gifted them to.