Engagement Gift?

September 7, 2007 8:07 AM

My oldest friend (our parents knew each other before we were born) is having his engagement party tomorrow, and being the last-minute jackass that I am, I'm shopping for a gift today. Please help!

I don't want to go with the traditional salt and pepper shakers, or other household stuff, I'll get 'em something like that for the wedding. Since we've known each other our whole lives, I'd like a gift of that caliber, but one that also doesn't exclude her. Any and all ideas are welcome here.

posted by splatta to Human Relations (11 answers total)

Well, you'd have to actually say something about your friend for people to help much - if it's your oldest friend, the gift should be as personal as you can make it. Something you know they'd like and appreciate.
posted by canine epigram at 8:17 AM on September 7, 2007

If you're feeling really lazy you could look at www.gifts.com where you can enter your friends personality details and see what comes up. Frankly when buying gifts like this I find browsing wedding sites is quite useful. If you're really stuck a bottle of champagne and two nice flutes is good, if not a little predictable.
posted by ob at 8:18 AM on September 7, 2007

Response by poster: That's the thing, keeping it open and vague will give me the most varied ideas.

I'd like to use this as a jumping-off point for brainstorming.
posted by splatta at 8:19 AM on September 7, 2007

Do you have a photo of the three of you hanging out? Maybe buy a really nice frame?
posted by Morrigan at 8:21 AM on September 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Get a nice crystal ring holder. Yes, it's more for his girl than the two of them, but she'll be touched, and he'll appreciate your gesture toward her. Don't forget that Emily Post says gifts aren't required at an engagement party, since it's more for the socialization of the two families than to fête the couple (which is the point of the wedding reception). Give it with a card that says "congratulations" and on the inside, write that you hope to take them both to dinner soon to celebrate, before the wedding planning gets too mad.

Now you've done something sentimental and memorable, and which includes them both.
posted by pineapple at 8:35 AM on September 7, 2007

Well, I'm as bad as buying gifts for "occasions" as you prolly are. When I think of a gift when travelling for example, I buy that even if there is no special date. So, if they like champagne, buy a nice bottle, always a nice one. If you can think of anything personal about them that they would like it is always a plus. If not, a bottle of champagne, a picture of you all and/or a nice card with a nice inscription, why not. Or, sing a little song, dance a little dance with two roses between your teeth - it's not the gift, it's the thought that counts. Really.
posted by keijo at 9:46 AM on September 7, 2007

Best answer: How about their own domain name? Most of my friends had a lot of wedding info online (directions, photos, links to hotel info). Afterwards it's a nice place to put their honeymoon photos and, someday, they might have baby pictures up there.
posted by selfmedicating at 9:52 AM on September 7, 2007

Response by poster: selfmedicating! Perfect! I'll help them set up a page and everything, thank you.

(I'll also include a nice bottle of wine and a card)
posted by splatta at 10:35 AM on September 7, 2007

Salviati champagne flutes, or other nice champagne flutes that they can use at their wedding for toasting and for the rest of their lives.
posted by chickaboo at 11:52 AM on September 7, 2007

Reading what ob said about predictability, I say Salviati flutes, because they're fairly modern and unique. Not typical.
posted by chickaboo at 11:53 AM on September 7, 2007

Just so you know, getting a gift for an engagement party is completely optional. You still can if you want to, but most people don't, because there are already at least two wedding-related occasions where giving gifts is customary (the shower and the wedding itself). So don't feel like a jackass, you're already way ahead of the game.
posted by Jess the Mess at 12:37 PM on September 7, 2007