Gift Ideas for an Engagement Party

From season tickets to home appliances the options are many for gift ideas

By Michelle Bolyn

Photo by iStockphoto.com

You don't have to bring a gift to an engagement party, but many guests like to give the couple a small token to celebrate the announcement. If you're looking for gift ideas, remember that some newly engaged couples register for gifts right away, while some wait until they send out wedding invitations. If the couple has registered, make it easy and purchase something on their registry. If they haven't registered for gifts, get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Activities

Couples usually receive items such as linens, china and crystal, so most are pleasantly surprised when they receive a gift that allows them to do something together. If they love watching baseball on the weekends get them tickets to a local baseball game. If the couple loves dining out together, get them a gift certificate to a restaurant that you know they'll love. This type of gift helps the couple celebrate their engagement together, and helps them spend time with one another during a stressful period.

Wedding-related gift

Purchase a card and write a note to the couple letting them know that you would like to give them something wedding related. You could offer to pay for the centerpieces, the wedding cake or the wedding favors. This is a present that the couple will really appreciate, because they're about to plan one of the biggest and most expensive days of their lives. If you work in the wedding field in any capacity, such as being a seamstress or baker, consider offering your services as a gift. Let the bride know that you'll complete her alterations for free or bake an individual cupcake for each wedding guest.

Home-related Present

If you're not a close friend or family member and don't know the couple as intimately, get them a present they can use in their home. Purchase candlesticks, sterling silver picture frames or a beautiful vase filled with flowers. Stick with something that anyone could use at home. If you don't want to get them something for their home, consider giving them a gift certificate to a particular store. If you know that the couple needs something for their home such as a blender or toaster, purchase it. The couple will appreciate the thoughtful present, because it shows that you've been listening.

Gift basket

When a couple gets engaged, they don't usually realize the amount of time and details that go into planning a wedding. Help them get started in the planning process by putting together a wedding planning gift basket including a wedding planning book, a couple of bridal magazines and a bottle of champagne to celebrate is a nice touch that can also help them get motivated. You can also include items like a wedding scrapbook, disposable or digital camera and other things that they can use to plan, manage and remember their wedding.