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Engagement gift ideas don’t need to leave you scratching your head. A quick browse of the Internet can fill you with come unique and creative engagement gift ideas as well as an idea of how much the gift will cost. Another terrific source for an engagement gift or possible wedding gift is to ask the parents of the future bride or groom. Friends also often know just what will make the perfect engagement presents.
Engagement Gift Idea vs. Wedding Gift
There are usually two occasions surrounding a wedding in which gifts are given. One is the engagement party or shower and the other the actual wedding. Each celebrates a phase in preparation for a lifetime as a married couple. With today’s much longer engagement periods, many couple will receive presents shortly after they announce their engagement or at an engagement party. Then with the wedding often a year or more later, more gifts are given.
Etiquette for Engagement Gifts
Timing is usually the most important etiquette requirement for gift giving. An engagement gift can be given any time after the engagement is announced up through the bridal shower. A wedding gift is generally given closer to the wedding date, after the shower, or on the wedding day itself. It is also acceptable to give wedding gifts after the wedding, but this should be done within 1 year of the wedding day – the sooner the better.
There is etiquette for the couple to follow as well. Acknowledgement of the gift, in the form of a personalized thank you card, hand written and addressed should be made within about 3 months of receipt of the gift. Again, the earlier the acknowledgement is made the better. It is always important to name the gift specifically and perhaps how you will use it. For example, “thank you for the beautiful pasta bowl set. We can’t wait to have you over to try out my grandmother’s recipe for tortellini.”
No matter if the gift is made of diamonds, bought at the local gift shop or purchased from a discount outlet, it is important to show gratitude for the gift. It is always thoughtful to give a gift even if it isn’t always easy to come up with good engagement gift ideas.
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