. . . for Lauren and Lauren: Money or a creative gift?

June 15, 2014

Money or a creative gift?

summer wedding outfits 

I've already attended two weddings this summer and sadly have failed in the creative gift department.  I used to do such a better job bringing a "theme" gift that I put some thought into.  I'm blaming Addilyn.  She sucks up all my time and creative juices. 

If I could redo the two gifts I brought (money is really the best gift though right?) I would come up with something a little more creative and personalized.  

Let's say my guest registered for this cute chalkboard menu from Target, I'd come up with a baking/cooking themed gift. 



I've seen lots of cute ideas like this, where you stuff an oven mitt full of baking and cooking supplies that the bride and groom registered for.  I found these cute baking items on Target's wedding catalog and wish I could re-register for things.  I feel like when you've been married for ten years you should get to do it again, right? 

I love the gold platter, apron and oven mitt.  I think it would look so cute to fold the apron up and tuck it in the oven mitt with the utensils and tie it onto the platter with a bow!

apron   mixing bowls  oven mitt   
whisk   spatula  platter
Are you a creative wedding gift giver? Tell me your favorite Target registry product in a comment and one of you will win a $25 Target gift card!  You know to spend on a wedding gift.  Or better yet something fun for yourself.  


                         


                                                               
Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.



42 comments:

Jodi said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I use to be a creative gift giver for weddings but as I've gotten older I realize that people want what they want so I just give money or something off the registry!

Reggie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I always thought I needed to give an actual 'gift' at weddings, until I got married myself. Then, I realized money really is the best gift at that stage in life...so now that's what I give! As for my favorite registry item, it probably would be something baby-related instead of baking related since I CANNOT stop buying stuff for my little girl at Target. :)

Chrissy + Nate said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like doing gift themes too! It's so easy to do with kitchen utensils too: love it! But as a bride, I LOVED getting money and/or gift cards.

L said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Don't you feel like you have been going to weddings forever!!! I am ready for that to be over...no longer creative and tired of writing check after check!!! You are your little one are just too cute, and I love her name it was definitely on our short list :)

Angie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Kids definitely suck up your creative juices...at least mine do!

Samantha @ Designer in Teal said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

My sister-in-law Gabby gives the best gifts. She gave me a teal ikea raskog cart filled with goodies as a housewarming gift.

My favorite Target Registry product would HAVE to be the Kitchenaid Mixer!!!!

Amanda said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Our baby sucks the creative juices out of me daily..
My favorite Target registry item, specifically for summer weddings, is an ice cream maker!!

Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love the themes! Cute idea.

Sharlee said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Honestly a food processor is the best thing we registered for. And I haven't been married as long as you but AMEN on registering again. I would choose much better this time around.

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Gift giving is one of my favorite things. It's a whole process for me! Money is also a great gift, though ;).

TheTinyHeart said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I think the gift vs money thing depends on the area where you live. Here everyone typically gives money.

I love the Kitchen Aid Mixer from the Target registry!

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Necklace Giveaway!

Denise said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I give money, or gift cards.

Jen said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like to give a container of homemade pancake mix (with recipe to refill it) & a spatula.

Jill said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I usually give money for weddings. But if I was giving a gift - I would get a Kitchen Aid mixer or a really nice blender.

Carly said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like to be creative, but you're right, sometimes it's hard! I usually try to pick a few things off the registry that go together. From the registry catalog, I like the Hamilton Forge Cutlery set. We've been married 10 years this year and could definitely use some new ones!! :)

Nicole Pastika said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I would love to gift a crock pot with a crock pot cookbook! It would make for evenings and evenings of great meals!

Rebecca Adams said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

If you know them well -- something they really like and wouldn't buy themselves -- but still on the registry. A bedding set they really want, an attachment to their mixer if they love to cook/bake and have a kitchen aid or something similar, etc. If you don't know that that well: cash.

muriel said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like home organizing things from target - pretty & functional.

jenniferp said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It would depend on the wedding whether I would give money or go personalized. A favorite registry item would have to be a Kitchenais mixer!

Allison said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

definitely depends on the recipient. but oh man, i wanted a kitchen aid SO BADLY when i got married!! my dream gift. but i didn't get it :(

Valerie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

The Pyrex sets are such a kitchen staple...you could fill them with fun items or ingredients and make a faux cake tower to bring to a bridal shower!
Valerie
www.the-style-files.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I think I'd like a new Keurig! I like to give creative gifts but usually include a gift card as well.

Marissa said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I am such an uncreative gift giver and I don't even have a baby to blame! I always go for something I love like tupperwear that I know everyone will use or a gift card.

J said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm totally not a creative gift giver...I usually just pick up something in my price range from the registry. I love the idea of the oven mitt with kitchen supplies though!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm not creative when it comes to gift giving, and I don't feel too bad about it. I mean, I usually second guess myself a little when I grab a gift card, but I try to balance it with a nice hand-written, sincere card. I justify the gift card because I personally loved/still love getting them! Haha! Btw, you and your baby girl are looking so cute!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm not creative when it comes to gift giving, and I don't feel too bad about it. I mean, I usually second guess myself a little when I grab a gift card, but I try to balance it with a nice hand-written, sincere card. I justify the gift card because I personally loved/still love getting them! Haha! Btw, you and your baby girl are looking so cute!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm not creative when it comes to gift giving, and I don't feel too bad about it. I mean, I usually second guess myself a little when I grab a gift card, but I try to balance it with a nice hand-written, sincere card. I justify the gift card because I personally loved/still love getting them! Haha! Btw, you and your baby girl are looking so cute!

Real Life Dress Up said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

My favorite registry item is typically a kitchen item- more than likely it is by Threshold and it's something that I would want for myself. Currently, I am loving the salad bowl that is ceramic and actually looks like lettuce!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

A few times I have gotten towels off the registry and then grabbed some cheap water guns for the couple. Makes it feel like a themed gift without too much extra trouble/things they don't actually want.

The Coleman air bed is a great go-to for registry items! It's always nice to have one.

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

That chalkboard menu looks like it'd be amazing to have

Michelle said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love creative gifts...but the lazy part of me loves gift cards. Here's the deal. I always feel like it's impersonal to give a gift card, like I should know that person better and get them a rockin' gift. I also feel like they might be somehow offended if I give them a gift card instead of a highly personalized present. Then I realized, I don't ever feel offended when I get a gift card because I get to get whatever I want. I can even wait for a sale of promotion to get more for my money, lol! So I have been giving gift cards more and loving it :)

Kayla MKOY said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I'm totally more of a creative gift giver but when I procrastinate, sadly the couple just gets cash or a gift card. But I'm sure they don't mind one bit ;)

Caitlin G said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I usually do a combo of the two... I'll put together something fun/creative (utensils in a crock, baking stuff, etc.) and then include a gift card or a check as well. :)

Hayley! said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love my kitchenaid, but the baking essential is a great idea! A lot of times, people don't realize what they'll NEED and forget to include that on their list of wants!

Katy said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Board games! They've been on the registry of the last few weddings I've attended. It just feels more fun to give someone a board game rather than a set of towels.

kylie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like to try to be a bit creative, and add something useful along with something fun . . . or just create a "evening" of stuff like board games, hot chocolate, and a blanket or something . . . but if I were to do it all over again myself, I'd add a KitchenAid mixer I think. :-) And not want people to be creative . . . haha!

kylie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I like to try to be a bit creative, and add something useful along with something fun . . . or just create a "evening" of stuff like board games, hot chocolate, and a blanket or something . . . but if I were to do it all over again myself, I'd add a KitchenAid mixer I think. :-) And not want people to be creative . . . haha!

The Lady Okie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

My Kitchen Aid mixer from Target is the best wedding present ever! When I buy gifts I've started going for practical. People register for stuff because they want it! So what if it's boring? It's useful. That's what I say.

Mrs Gray said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I usually do a theme gift with a "punny" card: "Have a 'pitcher' perfect life!"

Heidi Ann said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love to give a crock pot!

Erin @ Come What May said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I always like to give personal gifts whenever possible! My favorite wedding gift was our crock pot, it's such a great gift. I loved ours so much that now I try to give them to people whenever they register for them.

Katie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

@Amanda CONGRATULATIONS Amanda! You are the winner! I sent you a message too, but send me your email address so I can pass it along! Thanks for entering!