Once upon a time, before the world of online shopping, there was a way to day dream and add to your wish-list, called the catalogue. A thick, cumbersome Argos catalogue could be found on many a coffee table across the land, and it told of anything and everything your heart may desire (even things you didn’t know you wanted yet)! Argos is still pretty much a staple of society, (come on, where else can you get a last minute bbq set in time for the Leaving Cert heat wave?) but we have also moved on too.
The big question that often faces couples at some stage before the wedding is; should we register for gifts or create a wedding gift list? Although it isn’t really common in Ireland, there are some amazing benefits:
- If you don’t want 5 Waterford Crystal vases/toasters/cutlery sets/random household items you already have.
- If you do want a gift that isn’t the above instead of cash!
When wedding gifts are used, they really are something special. If you’ve ever used an appliance or item and thought fondly of the person who gave it to you, you will understand! But, using a gift, doesn’t just have to extend to just that either. Here are some ideas and tips for your wedding gift list
A Honeymoon Fund
A very popular gift for couples is the honeymoon fund (usually in the form of cash). There are also many online platforms that do the same thing. Your guests will definitely appreciate this- it gives them a connection to your day and they can actually see where their money will be spent! MyHoneymoon is an Irish company that does this. Simply select the flights, accommodation and activities you will be doing and your guests can contribute what they want!
Have a Wide Selection to Choose From
Give your guests a wide range of options in terms of price and products. Many guests may feel under pressure to buy a gift early so that all the ‘best gifts’ aren’t taken. Having a wider range of options to choose from will put them at ease. As well as this, it is worth including physical shops too (for those who are not tech-savvy!). Brown Thomas and Arnotts are pretty popular when it comes to registers but gift vouchers are also very acceptable and should be included in the list.
Organise Early
For two reasons, staring early is very important. As soon as people hear about your wedding, they will be thinking about your gift! Not everyone is this organised when it comes to weddings but there will be people out there who are. Consider sharing your wedding gift list in your invite. As well, the later you leave the list, the more people will ask. You will have so much to think about in the last few weeks leading up to your wedding that a gift list will not be a priority
