Dana Joseph (otherwise known as Mrs. Not Made of Money), is a SAHM to 4 adorable kiddos. She writes the personal finance blog “Not Made of Money” with her husband where they share money saving tips to help people live a debt free life.
When you’re lucky enough to be invited to share a friend or loved one’s special day, you want to show your gratitude and warm wishes by purchasing the happy couple a gift. If you’re on a tight budget, though, giving an extravagant, over the top gift is out of the question for you. How can you give a great, thoughtful gift without doing irreparable damage to your budget? There are plenty of gift options that allow you to bestow a special gift to the newlyweds while still keeping your budget in mind. Check out these suggestions:
Give A Handcrafted Gift
If you have a special talent or skill, you already have all of the tools you need to create a special gift for the happy couple. Commercial artists can design and print customized stationary. A knitter can create a warm throw for the couple to snuggle under. Just make sure that your creation is comparable to the items you’d buy in a boutique store, not a local street fair.
Several Small Items
Although you can’t afford to get the bride and groom that new blender they registered for, you probably don’t want to get them a single spatula either. Instead try grouping five or six small items together to create one thoughtful, but affordable, gift. You can even tie a ribbon around the times to make them more festive.
A Framed Photo
If you’ve know the soon-to-be newlyweds for any amount of time, there’s a good chance that you have a picture, or two, of them that they don’t have. Frame and mat this picture for a sentimental gift.
A Gift That Ages Well
Newly married couples plan to be together for the rest of their lives. You can honor that plan by giving a gift that will be there to celebrate with them. Ask an expert at your local wine shop to make a suggestion for a bottle of wine that will age well.
A Family Recipe
Choose a recipe that has been handed down in your family for many years. Write or print the recipe onto a pretty note card. Including any non-perishable ingredients and special tools, such as a pastry blender or a garlic press, will make this gift especially memorable.
When choosing a wedding gift, you should remember that the bride and groom won’t care what you spent on their gift. After the wedding is over, all the happy couple will remember is that you took the time to not only attend their wedding but also to select a meaningful gift for them.
Budget Friendly Wedding Gift Ideas was reprinted with permission from NotMadeofMoney.com
Beth’s Note: From my wedding, one of the gifts that I appreciated the most, was from a group of family members. Each went out and simply bought one set – bowl, plate, and glass, of the dish set I requested on my registry. It was wonderful, since I got my entire set and no one had to break the bank. My aunt beautifully scrapbooked all the photos from my wedding for me afterwards. And, another friend scrapbooked some quick-easy recipes, which as a newlywed, I desperately needed. All of them were frugal gifts that I still have to this day and cherish!
When Beth went from the busy world of Marketing to the even busier world of SAHM, she refocused her energy into 