Going to a wedding is a special event. But when you have a tight budget or several weddings to attend in a short timeframe, fitting the price of a wedding gift into your budget may be difficult.
Good news! Great gifts don’t have to be expensive. You can buy the happy couple a gift they’ll appreciate without having to splurge. Here are eight ideas for budget-friendly wedding gifts the soon-to-be-wed couple you know will love.
1. Cookbooks
Learning to cook a new type of dish can be a fun way for a couple to bond and discover new things about one another. Buy the couple several types of cookbooks to give them options to add variety to mealtime. Try these themed ideas:
- Spicy food cookbooks, such as Indian and Mexican food
- Dessert cookbooks, such as cookies or cakes
- Slow cooker cookbooks, such as low-fat or vegetarian
If you have more time, you can create a personalized gift by sharing your prized family recipes or collecting favorite recipes from the couple’s family and friends.
2. Wall Art
If the couple moves into a new home, they may need décor for their walls. A tastefully framed poster, highlighting something important to both of them, will be a hit at any wedding. Make sure you choose art that resonates with each person. Here are a few examples of wall art perfect for any couple:
- A wall decal of their favorite player from their favorite sports team
- Art from a Broadway show they went to together
- A poster from a band they saw play together early in their relationship
3. Do-It-Yourself Presents
Putting time and effort into creating a do-it-youself gift can reflect how much the couple means to you. You can make something they’ll treasure forever. Use these ideas to get started:
- A scrapbook that details the couple’s milestone moments
- A homemade frame for their wedding picture that includes the date of their nuptials
- A framed print-out of lyrics from their wedding song
4. Subscription Services
Everyone loves something. Whether your couple is a pair of bibliophiles who can’t get enough books or are crafty types who enjoy scrapbooking together, their passions can dictate what type of subscription service you purchase for them. Think beyond a basic streaming service. You want something they wouldn’t splurge on themselves.
Purchase a one-year subscription for the couple, but make sure you don’t put the subscription on auto renew, unless you want to foot the bill for another year. Here are a few services to consider:
- Book-of-the-month club
- Monthly tea or coffee club
- Dessert-of-the-month club
5. Cash or Gift Cards
Is the couple going on a honeymoon? Are they not quite sure what items they need to merge their household? Forget about the gift registry and give the couple something they can use right away. Giving cash or a gift card to the couple is a practical way to show you care.
Consider these options:
- Cash to put toward their honeymoon
- Car rental vouchers for their honeymoon
- Gift cards to purchase décor or furnishings for their new home
If you don’t have a lot of cash to contribute on your own, try to get a group of friends or family members together to pitch in. That way, all your contributions can add up to a significant amount that can be used toward the couple’s honeymoon or their new life together.
6. A Personalized Present
Personalized gifts can be fun and unique. You may want to customize the gift with their last name or try these different spins on personalized items:
- Customized towel and washcloth sets
- Personalized pens
- Stationery with their last name
7. Embroidered Linens
Embroidery lets you personalize just about anything, and it looks especially elegant on linens. Whatever you buy, you can have the couple’s new initials or last names added in a pretty pattern. If you can embroider yourself, that makes the gift even more special. Try embroidered hand towels or kitchen towels.
8. Help With the Wedding
Giving your own time may be the best thing you can do for the couple, especially if they’re hosting their wedding within a tight budget. Everyone has a valuable skill. Maybe you’re a graphic designer or you DJ on the weekends. Offer to provide your services to the couple for free at the wedding.
This meets a need for the couple since they won’t have to pay for the service. And it allows you to become part of their special day in a way everyone will remember. Here are a few roles you could fill on the big day:
- Photographer
- Hairdresser
- Makeup artist
Use these ideas to find a gift within your budget for the happy couple while giving them something unique that they’ll enjoy. For more tips on budgeting, visit our WalletWorks page.
