Comments on: Engagement/Wedding paired gifts?

Question: Engagement/Wedding paired gifts?

krisjohn — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:14:42 -0800

A number of years back I gave a pair of Swatches like these as a wedding gift. It's hard to tell from the photo, but one watch has the hours, the other has the minutes. They belong together so much that they barely function separately. I have a bunch of wedding-related gifts to give in the near future. Can anyone recommend paired things in a similar vein?

By: kaytwo

kaytwo — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:08:57 -0800

I really don't mean to snark, but my personal understanding of wedding gifts is that they are meant to be at least moderately useful (this might, of course, be an American and/or midwestern (American) thing, and if that is so please accept my apologies).

That said, if you're trying to stick with the paired motif but add in an element of practicality, some paired things I can think of off the top of my head would be: bookends, candlesticks, salt and pepper shakers. All useful by themselves (okay maybe not the salt and pepper shakers), but meant to always be together.

By: krisjohn

krisjohn — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:26:57 -0800

To the best of my understanding of local Australian culture (and my friends) there is no need for any gifts to be practical.

The bookends thing gives me an idea though.

By: teleskiving

teleskiving — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:00:55 -0800

A pair of webcams?

By: A Thousand Baited Hooks

A Thousand Baited Hooks — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:02:52 -0800

A pair of gargoyles to guard their front door.

I once gave a pair of gargoyles to someone. They were cheap gargoyles, though, so they were identical rather than opposite. Maybe you can find some better gargoyles somewhere.

By: cajo

cajo — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:36:35 -0800

I would disagree with the sentiment that wedding gifts have to be useful in a practical sense - part of the joy that comes with gifting others on the occasion of marriage is celebrating the union itself, spiritually or functionally. When my husband and I got married, we got a few things that aren't functional, but I would be sad not to have them - including a few pieces of artwork, which certainly aren't functional in the "I'm setting up a household" sense.

I love the watches - what a lovely idea. Another idea might be matching champagne flutes for their first toast.

By: Terminal Verbosity

Terminal Verbosity — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:11:39 -0800

I've given (and received) plenty of wedding gifts with no real purpose than to collect dust on a shelf. While I prefer more utilitarian gifts, this/these goblet(s) may suit your needs. I got it/them for my brother years ago.

By: lutzla23

lutzla23 — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:53:35 -0800

Salt and pepper shakers.
A lot of local artists or unique boutiques create custom designed ceramic/glass/china/plastic shakers. They have a practical sense, yet they can be viewed more as art or even a motif if you want. I've seen some great pop-art shakers, or even vintage antique shakers. You could even continue with the black and white theme...
Below is just an example of an option...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cute-2Pc-Telephone-Phone-Salt-and-Pepper-Shakers_W0QQitemZ6288946905QQihZ010QQcategoryZ13928QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

By: synapse

synapse — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 10:01:25 -0800

Seconding the salt and pepper shakers. The most wedding appropriate ones I've seen are the hug ones - ceramic or metallic