Wedding Present Chicago Couple

April 30, 2009 2:03 PM

What can I give as a wedding present to a Chicago couple in their early forties who have combined their households, have everything they need, no registry, don't want more stuff?

The husband is the son of friends, but I don't know him well and don't know the wife at all. They are well educated, but I don't know their tastes or interests. Gift certificate to a really nice restaurant? If so, which one? Are there any Chicago couple experiences for which I arrange gift certificates? Budget: $150.

posted by Elsie to food & drink (22 comments total)

Are they philanthropic? They might appreciate a donation to a cause they care about.

Do they have a yard? You could give them a tree that will grow along with their marriage.
posted by burntflowers at 2:08 PM on April 30

A gift certificate to SpaceTime seems...interesting. Unique gift, that's for sure.
posted by nitsuj at 2:12 PM on April 30

I was going to suggest a gift certificate to a restaurant, or for a couples massage, or for other chicago area "date" type things (entrances to museums, zoos, etc - things that could be date night, that maybe they never do because they live there). Or, have food sent -- we got an excellent piece of meat for Christmas (I can't remember the company, but I want to say that it was ordered from QVC??), it was a big hit.
posted by dpx.mfx at 2:19 PM on April 30

Okay, the "I don't know their tastes or interests" and the fact that he is a son of friends and you don't really know him makes me immediately think, "Well, ask the parents." Any reason why this isn't working out for you? No snark intended; the parents could be the ones saying, "Oh, they don't need anything..." or "They'll like anything you get them," which is maddening.

I'd opt for a Giftybox, probably a wine tasting, as that's the most popular. You are giving an experience rather than something that will just go to waste if they don't like it. Here are the options for Chicago!
posted by misha at 2:37 PM on April 30

A museum "family" membership is often a good gift for this situation --- it doesn't clutter up the house, is fun and indulgent, and is often juuuuuuust pricey enough that the couple might not get it for themselves. Chicago has a great many fantastic museums, too, which makes it fun to choose.

This idea works best, of course, if you either can discreetly find out from the couple whether they already have any memberships or if you have an inside informant (parent, sibling, friend, etc.) who can discreetly find out for you.
posted by Elsa at 2:37 PM on April 30

Tickets to a performance at Ravinia?
posted by carmicha at 2:38 PM on April 30

Family Plus Membership to the Field Museum.
* Free general admission for two adults plus one guest. Also free admission for all children or grandchildren under the age of 18 living in the same member household.
* Six free or discounted tickets to special exhibitions
* Free coat check for six items
($125 one year / $240 two years)
posted by wfrgms at 2:43 PM on April 30 [1 favorite has favorites]

(On preview: Elsa beat me to the museum membership suggestion, but I'll post anyway because I've got links.)

How about a museum membership? The Art Institute was the first one I thought of, but there's also the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum (natural history), and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you don't know anything about their tastes, then the Art Institute seems like the best bet.

I wonder if the museum could tell you if they're already members, if you give them the name and address?
posted by pluckemin at 2:43 PM on April 30 [1 favorite has favorites]

Donate a sheep in their name.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:53 PM on April 30

Booze. Your local liquor store should be able to give you suggestions, even if you don't know their tastes--I mean, who wouldn't want a really nice cognac?
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:55 PM on April 30

Give a microloan in their name:

Kiva


They'll help someone...and in the end they'll get the cash.
posted by teg4rvn at 3:22 PM on April 30

Harry and David Fruit of the Month Club. An orgasm of ripe fruit. (Can I say that?)
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:25 PM on April 30

Have they said that they don't want anything? Because if they've said so, then it's likely that they really don't, and feel free to respect that and just buy them a nice card!
posted by echo0720 at 3:26 PM on April 30

Take them on a surprise night out.
Tell them you're taking them out,
but don't tell them where.

Then take them bowling.
And pay for everything.
And buy them beers because
bowling is the only sport
you can play drunk.
posted by Sully at 3:31 PM on April 30 [1 favorite has favorites]

Unless you know they drink alcohol doesn't seem like the best idea.

I'll echo echo0720; maybe the truly don't want anything.
posted by 6550 at 5:11 PM on April 30

If they said no stuff but did not say no gifts, I think you should write them a check for $150. That's the usual wedding present anyhow - I don't see how this is a special situation.
posted by moxiedoll at 5:58 PM on April 30

bowling is the only sport you can play drunk

Prepare for lawsuits from the miniature golf industry.

...and the real golf industry, for that matter.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:43 PM on April 30

"...write them a check for $150. That's the usual wedding present anyhow..."

It IS? Since when? I'm glad I don't get invited to many weddings!

Why is it so hard to get the fact across that no gifts/stuff are wanted? Take the couple at their word. Dress up, go to the wedding, and have a good time. As the saying goes, your presence is the present.
posted by BostonTerrier at 6:44 PM on April 30

moxiedoll, money may be the usual present where you're from, but not where I'm from (Virginia). There was a bit of a culture clash at my wedding when my husband's family, from the north, were aggrieved there was no receptacle to hold or designated person to receive the checks they'd all written. And my parents were aggrieved that anyone would be so gauche as to automatically give money without any thought toward a gift registry chock full of the usual formal china, crystal, and what have you. Btw, I had no preference.

Elsie: I suggest what my parents suggest to me every Christmas: Make it consumable. That way they're not collecting more *stuff.* So: food, wine, bath stuff, yard stuff (think birdhouses made of seed etc), fancy fire kindling packages, any kind of vacation or adventure within budget and according to their tastes, etc.

I personally like to give consumables that are a specialty of where I live, which now happens to be Baltimore. Can't go wrong with sending someone the best G-D crabcakes in the world! They happen to come from Faidley's in Lexington Market, and 6 cakes delivered overnight on dry ice will run you about $120. Zingerman's (Michigan or Wisconsin, not Baltimore) does wonderful gourmet food baskets in all price ranges, as does Zabar's in New York.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 6:56 PM on April 30 [1 favorite has favorites]

Take them on a surprise night out.
Tell them you're taking them out,
but don't tell them where.

Then take them bowling.
And pay for everything.
And buy them beers because
bowling is the only sport
you can play drunk.

This is just to say
I completely agree
with everything said here.

Forgive me.
The line breaks
Were so poetic.
posted by DoctorFedora at 8:47 PM on April 30 [1 favorite has favorites]

I went to a similar wedding a while back and the bride/groom requested that guests give a donation to a local charity that runs a home for handicapped children.
posted by PenDevil at 5:42 AM on May 1

Adopt a zoo animal in their name?

Brookfield Zoo's Share the Care Program

Lincoln Park Zoo's Adopt an Animal Program
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:01 AM on May 1