Ask Ady: Personal Gift Off the Registry

Dear Ady,
Help! I need ideas for a wedding where the couple has only registered for giftcards. We can't attend in person so want to give a gift that says a little more than a giftcard. Ideas?


Thanks, 


Cate, Denver 

Dear Cate, 


Hmmm - this is an interesting predicament!  I think it's great that you want to provide something a little more personal and memorable - what a lovely gracious guest you are!  


My suggestion would be to still send a gift card (since this is obviously what they want and need) but include a token that is special from you to the couple.  


Perhaps it's a favorite bottle of wine you have enjoyed together.   Maybe it's a set of really cool pasta bowls with a favorite cook-book of yours because they love Italian.  


Perhaps it's something personal just for the couple.  Beautifully monogrammed bath towels, tea towels or pillow cases are always useful and it gives them something special from their wedding that they may not have even known that they wanted.  Pottery Barn has lovely neutral options for this.   


You could also send a beautiful (personalized or not) photo album (Etsy has TONS) and insert the gift card and a picture of the four of you or of your family in the first page.  Right after your wedding, there is nothing more useful than a blank photo album!  


I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
-Ady