Wedding Gifts for Young Couples

Young couples just starting their lives together might be moving into their first apartment or house together and probably need a lot of things to make their new home comfortable. Any kind of house warming gift is very helpful when moving into a new home and is always appreciated. However, if you choose to stay away from traditional household gifts, there are many alternatives to choose from for a young couple. No matter what kind of gift you choose, always be thoughful and considerate of the couple's tastes and interests; for example, a cook book devoted entirely to meat  may not be a good choice for a pair of vegetarians! 

You'll want to check the couple's registry before you do anything else. If you decide to go ahead and get something not on the registry, here are some suggestions. Naturally, you should also check out ShopWiki's many guides on buying items for the home and garden. 

Traditional Ideas

For the Kitchen
Cookware Sets As an essential part of any kitchen, a new cookware set  is always extremely useful. A basic starter kit (if you want to buy piece by piece) should include two or three saucepans, two fry pans, and a large pasta pot.	Bakeware A bakeware set  is mandatory for any kitchen. Baking is always a fun activity, making this a great gift for any new home. You might want to include your favorite brownie recipe	Knives Every cook is lost without a good set of knives.  The basics are a chef's knife,  a paring knife,  a serrated bread knife,  and a utility knife,  but there are many options.	Storage  No matter what the size and shape of your home, you can always use more storage space.   If you're looking for a practical gift for the couple, there are a variety of space saving products to choose from.	Kitchen Tools No kitchen is complete without these essential tools.  If the couple plans on using their kitchen, these are necessary for any recipe and a very handy gift.

Home Furnishings
Clocks  Clocks  can be decorative as well as functional and are an essential part of any home.  From basic alarm clocks to grand time pieces, there are infinite possibilities to choose from.	Throw Pillows  Help the couple add to their decor and comfort with charming throw pillows.  From exotic and colorful to soft and luxurious, these stylish pieces can be used to add to the atmosphere of any room.	Vases  A decorative vase  is always a good addition to a new home. The variety of colors, materials, shapes and sizes allow you to be creative when choosing the one that matches the couple's taste.	Picture Frames  and Photo Albums  When starting a new life with someone, picture frames,  digital frames,  and albums  provide a way of taking your memories with you. They are great gift to help the couple feel at home in their new place.	Candles  and Candle Holders  With infinite styles to choose from, candles  and candle holders  can serve a variety of purposes in their new home. Without them, the couple will be lost when it comes to having a romantic night together.

For the Dining Room
Dinnerware Whether you're throwing dinner parties or cooking a romantic dinner for two, dinnerware  is necessary for all homes. It makes a great gift when welcoming the couple to their new home.	Flatware Unless they are planning to eat with their hands, flatware  is essential part of dining in. From fancy to traditional, there are various styles to choose from to suit the couple's needs.	Serving Dishes  Serving dishes  always make great wedding presents. They can be elegant or fun (or both) and can be used for almost every occasion. Pure white  matches almost everything, so it's always a good choice.	Stemware The right stemware  creates an elegant atmosphere at a dinner party or just with takeout. Stemware, such as wine glasses  or champagne flutes,  is crucial to any dining room.	Glassware  and Bar Supplies  Glassware  and bar supplies  are useful whether the couple is dining alone or entertaining guests. As a gift, they are greatly appreciated and always come in handy.

For the Bedroom
Pillows No matter what kind of pillow  they enjoy, you can find one that matches their sleeping needs. A bed is incomplete without pillows, making them a great gift for the couple to feel cozy in their new home.	Comforters  Although it can be tricky, choosing the perfect comforter  will assist the couple in adjusting to their new home. It should be both stylish and comfy and match the couple's taste.	Sheet Sets  While they are a more personal gift, sheets  and other linens  are perfect for helping the couple settle in. Picking out the right material and color will help make them more comfortable in their new home.	Mirrors  Most commonly used for grooming and primping purposes, mirrors  also add a greater sense of space to any room. They can be used in a variety of decorative ways, making them a great gift to any new home owners.	Lamps  While lamps  are often more functional parts of a room, they also serve decorative purposes.  You can be creative when choosing styles or colors and pick one that suits the couple perfectly.

For the Honeymoon
Sexy Gifts  If you are looking to break away from the traditional household gifts, a more sexy gift  is always a good option. Something the couple can use together is always a very enjoyable gift.	Champagne  Champagne  is always a good gift when celebrating any occasion, but especially a wedding. As a key part of any commemorative moment, a bottle of champagne is a great way for them to kick off the start of their life together.	Cruise Accessories  Depending on the type of honeymoon, this could be the perfect way to send off the couple after their wedding. These handy accessories  are different from traditional household gifts and will add to the couple's honeymoon experience.	Camcorders and Digital Cameras Camcorders  and digital cameras  are great for commemorating special occasions. A camera is a gift they will be able to use in their new life together, not just for the honeymoon!	"Just Married" Shirts  for the Bride  and Groom  Looking for a great gift that is more fun than practical? Bride  and groom t-shirts  are festive gifts that will always remind the couple of their special day.

Alternative Ideas

• Before you tread off the beaten path, check the couple's registry/registries. This will save everyone involved time and aggravation.
• Honeymoon Registries
• There are lots of honeymoon registry companies on the internet.
• Couples can choose the services (massages, snorkel expeditions, cooking classes, etc.) they want on their honeymoon, and wedding guests can pay for them online.
• Find out from the bride or groom if they are already registered online.
• A few of the honeymoon registries online are:
• The Honeymoon
• Traveler's Joy
• Send Us Off
• The Big Day
• Honey Luna
• Honeymoon Wishes
• Hobby/Sport Equipment
• If you know the bride or groom (or both) really well, you probably know what their hobbies are.
• Check out the sports and recreation for complete listings of equipment.
• Travel Gear
• Luggage
• Travel Essentials
• Unique Gifts
• If you want to get the couple something you know they don't have yet, check out these sites:
• Etsy.com (handmade goods)
• Elsewares.com (creative funky goods, independent art & design)

International Resources

Guide d'achat des cadeaux de mariage