Prudent Gifts

I've recently become addicted (I know, I know, me and my blog addictions...) to Dear Prudence, the advice column over at Slate. During the course of reading around a decade of columns, I've seen a lot of questions about wedding gifts-- appropriate and inappropriate. I've written before about registries and requests, but the questions posed to Prudie made me wonder... what is the most meaningful gift I've received? So many people talk about the amount of money they're spending on gifts, and though we did our absolute best to keep our registry on the cheap end  I certainly know people dear to my heart who have had registries were the cheapest thing was around $40! So what to do in those situations?

My friends, take it from me, the most wonderful gifts you can give are not things from registries. Those are wish lists, for some it's a list of things the happy couple need like a can opener or decent dishes that aren't mis-matched from college, and I have been just as lucky "going off-registry" with a small and thoughtful gift.

What makes me happy? What makes me feel like we are truly loved are the following:

1. The picture above-- I thought it would be very cute to have everyone sign a picture frame in addition to the guest book, that way we would have something to display always. My sorority little sister drew the funny little stick figures in the middle where we would eventually put a wedding photo. Her picture is still there. I love reading the names of those present at our wedding and it would definitely be one of those "save from the burning house" items.

2. A pair of journals from my mother's friends and fellow Rhodents-- they received the same gift for their wedding, a journal for each of them to record their thoughts and feelings and experiences throughout their marriage.

3. My friend Anne-Minter's words to me-- one of my best friends growing up, Anne-Minter, graced me with the honor of having her as a bridesmaid. Her mother passed away when we were in high school, which was a shock to us both; Mickey was like a second mother to me and losing both of them so suddenly was heart-wrenching. I think of both of them constantly. At the reception, Anne-Minter came up to me and whispered, "Mama would be so proud of you." I didn't cry all day, my husband was the one with the tears flowing at the ceremony! But those words were worth all the gifts in the world.

So, when you get invited to a wedding, don't feel obligated to bring a gift; or, perhaps, don't feel obligated to bring an expensive gift. If the bride and/or groom is close, some words of love will be well received and cherished, or a simple but thoughtful gift will mean the world. If your friends choose to be picky, you can always point them to the Prudie column which includes a couple that received a book on how to survive a cheating spouse from an aunt and uncle!

Birthday Blues

Some of us (ahem) who have winter birthdays feel the pain-- and those of us who love people with winter birthdays ALSO feel the pain. My father's birthday is 12/23, my birthday is 1/28, and my goddaughter's birthday is 2/26 with countless others strewn throughout. By the time you get past Christmas and New Years, you're coming up on Valentine's Day and you're broke and at a total loss as to what you should pick up!

Never fear, the internet is here to help; this week's markdown Monday is a visit to West Elm, Patina Stores, and Cursive New York which have some very expensive things, but also some wonderful little treats that will please your loved ones without breaking the bank!

Hand-Blocked Zipper Cases, $7-12 -- for the friend who has (and loses) everything

Alphabet Trays, $8 -- find a nice soap to add in, and you have the perfect bathroom gift!

Colored Pencils in a Box, $15 -- I still have a set I got as a child, these are a wonderfully whimsical gift for the person who has everything!

Tiger Game, $15 -- Table games are making a big time comeback, so if you know someone who likes Jenga (before OR after a glass of wine!) this would be an excellent addition to their collection.

Tabletop Games, $5.95 -- Speaking of tabletop games, if your friend likes to host, this may be just what they need! With 8 choices, you could build up their collection for birthdays and holidays to come!

I love these gifts because they're simple and fun-- we're so often worried about going all out for that perfect present OR trying to find something that the recipient "needs" because everyone "needs" something, right? You know what? Some of the best and most treasured presents I've ever received were little tiny gifts like these. Things that were fun and whimsical and just plain made my day. So, don't be afraid to get out there and look around-- poke around these three sites and Etsy because you never know what you're going to find that might make that special someone smile!

Keep up with these gifts and more on my Gift Ideas Pinboard on Pinterest!

This here's a tale for all you fellas...

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day-- day of love, romance and "OH CRAP!" Randall of xkcd had a great comic about it today, in fact...

Now, I know all my ladies are prepared because that's the nature of our half of the population but the gents... well, there's always a wonderful crush of fellas racing for those last few roses at the store! I also know that my loving husband hates buying things for me because I can always find a deal, so this one's for you guys!

Who says you need to spend $50 on cut flowers and a vase? Tomorrow, you can stop by your nearest thrift store/Salvation Army/whathaveyou and pick up a vase for fifty cents, and pick up some pink, purple, and white flowers at the grocery store. Your lady will be so impressed you went to the trouble, it will totally make up for not paying through the nose for the smallest bouquet FTD has to offer! (which is mostly carnations, anyway)

"But Meg!" you exclaim, "I don't know how to do that!" No worries, my friend, here's a basic tutorial on picking up flowers and putting them in a vase. Low on effort, high on reward! You can use the money you saved to take her out for a nice dessert or pick up a bottle of wine!

Get yourself the basics-- a vase, some water, flowers, and scissors!

I had this vase around, but it cost me about fifty cents at the thrift store

I love the colors here, and this was the $5 bunch!

Get an idea of how much taller the original stem is than your vase

On an angle cut off a couple inches to start with

Still a little tall! Cut off another inch or two to get it about right

Cut the rest of your flowers at varying heights-- all one height is boring!

Don't: leave on wilty looking leaves and flowers! They'll make the bunch last a shorter amount of time!

Don't: Feel like you need to use all the included schtuff-- this one was included in the bunch, but I didn't think it was necessary. Simple is good!

Voila! Your bouquet is ready for presenting! 

And pretty from any angle!

Wedding Unveils

Y'ALL. I just found this website, WeddingUnveils.com, and WOW I'm cracking up!The best thing is the range of stuff they have!

From the Pink and Puffy

To the Traveler with the Butterflies

To a Peacock Dress with potential and a wow-factor (to put it nicely!)

And the actually-kind-of-awesome...

And the unique but strange

To a dress I totally want to try making!

As well as the getaway cars for James May's wedding

And finally, what might just be the most awesome/hilarious gift EVER.

If you're stressed out over your wedding, just wander over here for some good laughs and a few smiles-- it's worth the time!

Registry Madness

Drawers full of registry gifts!!

I'm really not sure how this blog would stay afloat without my friends and family-- I may be creative, but darned if I don't get the worst case of brain freeze when I sit down to bang out something for this blog!

My father is responsible for reminding me of this topic, with a very interesting article on registry trends in recent years by the Wall Street Journal. "Bison Brown bath towels," he said, "Who knew?"

Registries have been changing a lot recently, and though the WSJ is correct about one factor being that people are getting married later in life, I think we're also seeing more couples who choose to live together before getting married. Personally, I'm all for it-- I knew a girl once who didn't live with her fiance, and after getting married were divorced three months later because they couldn't stand living with each other!! The other upside is that when you live together, you tend to already have most of what you need.

My husband and I had most of what we needed, so we went big and registered almost entirely for kitchen things-- things we wouldn't always have the money to pick up, things that were definitely a "wish" list for entertaining friends and family in our future home. A good knife block, serving platters, a blender, and nice china were the best things we got and I was a-ok with picking up a few of the smaller kitchen gadgets on our own as we found the need for them (oh, hello melon baller!).

My friend Caitlin is getting married in a few weeks and since she and her fiance have survived a few years of living together and a nearly cross country move, they have pretty much all they need. The one thing they don't have as graduate students? Money. So their registry covers a few kitchen gadgets and a honeymoon fund! I wish I had thought of the honeymoon fund, it would have been more enjoyable than even my beautimous china... they set up a site through honeyfund.com which lists out the details of where they want to go on their honeymoon. We sent them money to have brunch and do a little shopping, which we were able to do since we can't make the trip up to Philly.

I love looking through our kitchen and seeing a collection of friends and family there, but the same thing could be achieved looking through honeymoon pictures! If you don't need much, don't register for much-- nobody these days will look down on you for asking that you send them what they would have spent for a honeymoon fund, a car fund, a baby fund, or a mortgage fund. While I love the little gifts I've picked up on and off of registries for friends, I also love that I'm a part of helping Caitlin and Dusty get what we didn't-- a honeymoon and an essential part of anyone's blossoming marriage.

Gift Horsing Around

(via)

So your wedding party is spread out over the US and you've been dreaming of gift cards as a final thank you for their assistance... but how do you know what's in their area? What if they're picky? What if they already have everything and couldn't really use another Target gift card?

Enter the online discount industry! Groupon, Half Off Depot, Double Take Deals, LivingSocial, Crowd Cut, and others are spread around the US and tend to pick the better restaurants and shops in the area to promote with deals. Just check out the hometown deals and get them dinner, lunch, or even a massage!

Designing Women

Cherry Bomb Atlanta

WOW! Let's be honest, I would probably never wear these shoes, but I know a bunch of folks who would and they would TOTALLY glam up a wedding! Best part? They're on a big discount because you have the Scoutmob coupon for Cherry Bomb! One of the great things about Scoutmob, Groupon, and Half Off Depot is that they offer services outside of restaurants and health/beauty-- namely, boutiques. 

Many boutiques in the Decatur area especially carry jewelry, trinkets, hair bows, and gifts for all-- all things that can be used in the overall planning and execution of a wedding! You could buy for you or a particularly amazing member of your wedding party, even for mothers of brides and grooms! Keep an eye out for these deals, they're going to be a huge help!

Ring a Ding Ding (Pt. 2)

OK, so AO Designs isn't carrying Rings per se, but she does have some amazing jewelry that are perfect not only for the woman building her family by addition, but by building her family through combination! I just picked up this beautiful garnet necklace (I'm in love with my birthstone, what of it?) and some earrings as well.

I'm having the hearts stamped with my initial and my husband's, and husbands to be take note-- this would be a terribly sweet present for your wife to be!

There are a few beautiful necklaces that would be perfect bridesmaids gifts for a spring wedding; a friend of mine picked the eggs in a nest necklace in pistachio-- one for each child she has running around the house! The stylish bridesmaid would no doubt be pleased as punch to have one of these delicate little items hanging around her neck. 

There are beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and initial pieces that would be perfect for the bridesmaid, flower girl, cat of honor, and mothers of brides/grooms alike! I know my mother in law loves family pieces, and if you picked one up of these Small Circles necklaces, you can contact Angela for more discs as your family grows.

Head on over to see the other beautiful pieces she has for sale-- you won't be sorry, and you may just end up as addicted as I am!