KittenMoon Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 My oldest friend is getting married next month. I'm not a big fan of buying off the registry for such a good friend (especially since her registry isn't very big and I think she has quite a few people coming to the wedding), so I think I'd like to get her something more personal for her big day- I am thinking of getting something antique- and attractive decorative house piece or something (like a nice vase, wood box, somet silver, etc). Basically something with an element of originality. Is this an appropriate wedding gift- or would it be too weird? She knows I'm an antiquer, so it wouldn't be completely out of the blue. Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Antiques are wonderful but very personal. Why not take a picture of what you're thinking about and show it to her with the understanding this will be an acquisition for yourself? This way, you can get some honest feedback from her. Please remember this is a gift for her. Link to post Share on other sites
Author KittenMoon Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Antiques are wonderful but very personal. Why not take a picture of what you're thinking about and show it to her with the understanding this will be an acquisition for yourself? This way, you can get some honest feedback from her. Please remember this is a gift for her. Well, ideally I wanted to find an Irish antique, since she's Irish. But those can be hard to come by in the US, so I thought something generic but beautiful (like a house item) would be appropriate. I'm pretty good at judging other's tastes- I often buy vintage jewelry for others as gifts. I just checked her registry too- it's almost all bought already! I need to tell her to be more greedy haha! Link to post Share on other sites
allina Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 It's a lovely idea but I would make sure that she likes antiques first. Antiques seem to be the sort of thing that some people love and others view as gaudy. Link to post Share on other sites
IfWishesWereHorses Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 After 22 years I can still point to things and say so and so gave me that for my wedding gift. I love antiques and have quite a few but most of them have been in the family for over 4 generations. Everything used to decorate in my house has some meaning or was given to me, I charish those things. I'm probably the only woman tht proudly displays a 75 year old leather bound moldy tape measure on her coffee table but it belonged to grandpa. I think you know your friend and her tastes and it will be a very special rememberance of you. My favorite most used wedding gift is the pyrex measuring/mixing bowl and 1 and 2 cup measures given to me at a shower by my maid of honor, I think of her every day (for 22 years) when I reach for it. Probably cost 5 bucks way back then, she always was the practical one! Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 yep, you'll want to see if antiques are to her taste ... otherwise you're investing in a gift that serves no purpose in the recipient's eyes. Other thought is to give money or gift card. It sounds impersonal, but sometimes it's the best gift because it helps that person get what they really need or want. The nicest thank you card I got was from a friend's daughter, who wrote that our contribution helped she and her groom buy a much needed washer and dryer set! Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I would think an antique gift would be fine... but isn't the gift supposed to be for the couple ? if you get an antique silver box that is more for her than for them.. I know this is different but it does still play into the same arena. I gave 2 antique cameras to my brother for being my best man when I got married. He collects them though.. so it was a no brainer.. Link to post Share on other sites
adnCat Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Sometimes people don't put a lot on their registry because they want cash. Since she's such a close friend, why don't you just ask her if she'd like something unique you picked out for her? I do agree that it should be a gift for the couple, and not just for her, though. Link to post Share on other sites
Author KittenMoon Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 I do agree that it should be a gift for the couple, and not just for her, though. I was thinking something decorative, since they'd be getting their first place together post-wedding. I'm gonna look and basically see if I find anything striking, not just any old thing. I might also commission a painting for them- possibly of the (very photogenic) college where they met. (one of my best friends is a painter so this is easy) Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Regardless of whether it's an antique or not, is your friend very specific about decor, as in colour, texture, etc? The reason I ask is that I'm anal about that kind of thing. It has to be perfect or it gets given away. Link to post Share on other sites
Author KittenMoon Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 Regardless of whether it's an antique or not, is your friend very specific about decor, as in colour, texture, etc? The reason I ask is that I'm anal about that kind of thing. It has to be perfect or it gets given away. Not as far as I know and I would seriously doubt it. She's pretty easy going. But she's only really lived in dorms and with her parents. If I do get an antique, it would either be functional- like a beautiful frame- or something anyone would go: "what a neat/lovely/striking item". Link to post Share on other sites
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