Choosing an engagement gift can be difficult, especially as today the vast majority of engaged couples live together and have everything they need. Whilst traditional gifts weren’t given to just engaged couples, these days the friends and family members of the newly engaged gift a little something to mark this milestone, particularly if they’ve been selected to be a part of the bridal squad or the couple are throwing an engagement party. Pick the perfect engagement gift with the following top tips…
Don’t go OTT
There will be plenty of time to indulge the couple in the run-up to and on their big day, so don’t break the bank when choosing your engagement gift. As well as footing the bill for wedding presents, the majority of guests will have to pay their own way during the many pre-wedding celebrations that they’ll be involved in, such as hen and stag parties.
A small token is more than enough when gifting a newly engaged couple so think small and meaningful instead of big and extravagant.
Do personalise
Personalised gifts are a great option for those looking to take the recommended sentimental approach to engagement gifting. There are so many options for all tastes and budgets so shop around to find the perfect personalised gift for your special couple.
Don’t underestimate experiences
Wedding planning is stressful and can subsequently put a lot of strain on couples. Giving the couple an experience that they can use to escape wedding planning, even if it’s just for a couple of hours, is, therefore, a good way to go. A couples’ cooking class, a spa day, comedy night, boat ride, afternoon tea or dinner are just some of the experiences that make perfect engagement gifts.
Do help them with planning
The best engagement gifts are also the most useful. Gifts that will help the couple stay organised during the many weeks and months they’ll spend planning their special day are excellent investments. They also make lovely keepsakes and mementoes that can be looked back on for years to come. Revisiting fond memories of the engagement and wedding will be the perfect way to spend their first wedding anniversary for instance.
A wedding planner book is a great tool for brides and grooms in the early stages of planning. Check out this rundown of the best wedding planner books for inspiration.
Gifts that help the bride and groom to individually prepare for their big day are another option. Pamper sets and even sleep sprays will help brides and grooms no-end as they manage wedding planning stress.
Do give cash
Cash is now a common wedding gift, in fact, many marrying couples request cash from their guests rather than traditional wedding presents. Cash gifts will also be well-received as engagement presents, particularly as the couple come face-to-face with the true (and hidden) costs of planning the wedding of their dreams. But how much money is enough for an engagement gift? Here The Nest offers their advice:
“An engagement party is not a fund-raising event for the upcoming wedding. Engagement gifts do not need to be pricey or ornate; a nice bottle of wine or champagne, perhaps with two glasses or flutes for toasting is a common gift choice and can be a guide for giving cash. Aim for the engagement party gift to be around one-quarter to one-third the cost of the wedding gift.”
