NOT ANOTHER BORING PRESENT….

Although it has often been said that it is not the gift but the thought that counts, there are a few things which can be as irritating as receiving a boring present.  This will not cause people to jump off buildings, but the frustration which follows after the anticipation of receiving something special and not getting one can be somewhat annoying.

The present which instead of becoming a token of goodwill will turn into a miserable object of dislike, and the giver a person most unwelcome as a guest in any special occasion. Imagine then the thought of a newly married couple who will receive an unwanted gift. Not exactly the way to start a new chapter in their lives. Buying the right gift is not as hard as it seems, and once a woman starts wearing engagement rings, then it is time to start planning to think about what present to her and her soon to be husband as a present. If the soon to be married couple has engaged the services of a wedding or bridal registry, then buying the right gift would be very easy. But not every couple wishing to tie the knot will go for a bridal registry, and will want their wedding guests to literally guess as to what they would want as a gift. If this is the case, then a certain touch of creativity is needed on the part of the person buying the gift. If the engaged lady is wearing an antique engagement rings, then that is a sign that she may perhaps be interested in antique jewelry. Also, a quick look into the hobbies of  both soon to be man are wife are interested in will give a valuable clue as to what they will definitely want for a wedding present. The gift need not be expensive as long as it is what will surely delight them.

A TENNIS RACKET AS A WEDDING GIFT

Uniqueness and novelty are the hallmarks of gifts given in good taste, and a gift that is not only one of a kind but also one which is relevant to the recipient’s hobbies and interest would definitely be most appreciated and treasured. The list of the items in the Bridal Registry may contain the most of the items the couple need, but not necessarily all the things the couple wants. So why give a pair of tennis rackets as a wedding gift instead of antique jewelry or porcelain plates? Well, let us say that this particular couple is health buffs and tennis enthusiasts.

Incidentally, it was also at a tennis court where they first met. A friend of a friend may have introduced one to the other and played a nice doubles game. Eventually, they would soon start playing on their own singles matches and would see each other frequently, and may also have a few snacks after every game. What started out as friendship gradually blossomed into romance and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, wouln’t a pair of tennis rackets as a wedding gift is much more enjoyable and memorable for this particular couple instead of a sundry toaster oven or a couple of pots and pans? The best time to start scouting for a nice pair of tennis rackets is when the lady starts showing off her lovely and charming antique engagement rings right after it was given to her by her fiancé. The first thought may be to go shopping to an antique store or jewelry shop to but antique jewelry that will match her engagement rings, but perhaps others may have already done so.  So, buying a pair of tennis rackets for this particular couple may perhaps be the best wedding present they may receive.

WEDDING SHOES

Women and shoes. Peas and carrots. Bread and butter. Perhaps at the moment of birth, baby girls are already kicking and screaming for their first pair of shoes. Shoes which will match her dress as well as her handbag are first made manifest in a woman as soon as she can walk and go to nursery school.

So it would not be surprising for her that she must have the perfect pair of shoes to match her dress at what is perhaps one of the most important days in her life, which would be her wedding day. And why wait for her actual wedding day to buy her a present when one may actually buy her one of the loveliest presents which she will receive, which would be the very shoes she would wear when walking down the aisle. On the flipside, this may perhaps be the most difficult item buy as a present, for the reason that it must not only perfectly match her wedding gown and accessories, but also be one which must blend well with her personal taste and preferences. Therefore, knowing her shoe size is just the beginning. If the lucky lady to be married is one’s sister. Relative or friend, this should be easy. Otherwise, it is prudent to know this for nothing can be more embarrassing than giving a pair of ill-fitting shoes. It is also essential to know the wedding motif, so as to buy the right style of shoes. Another thing to carefully examine is her preference with regard to her personal accessories, such as her jewelry. If she wears antique jewelry or was perhaps given an antique engagement rings, then selecting a pair of shoes which will have an antique look (not necessarily an antique pair of wedding shoes, unless she goes for that “something old, something borrowed and something new “wedding adage ).

VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL

At first glance, the Gothic subculture and its fashion and poetry may seem just like another fad wherein disenfranchised youth try to find and carve a niche for themselves. The dark, moody look with thick eyeliner make-up and the black, Victorian style clothing which is both elegant but with a hint of subdued eroticism and despair is the trademark Victorian look of the Neo-Gothic movement amongst some of today’s youth, and the influence of this by-gone era is also readily apparent in the morbid prose and poetry scribbled in countless blogs in the world wide web.

This Victorian Gothic revival has is beginning to slowly make its way in mainstream fashion, music, and arts.  Poetry and fashion aside, pieces of Victorian jewelry are highly sought after not only by collectors but also by young couples wishing to be engaged. Antique engagement rings are in vogue nowadays, and among the most sought after are pieces crafted during the Victorian Era. It must be noted that these young couples are not youths who wear all black lace fringed outfits and recite poetry at graveyards, but are very normal couples who are in love with one another and yet wish to spice up their engagement or wedding with a touch of Victorian elegance and mystery. Also, what most couples seek are not mere reproductions but authentic pieces of antique jewelry. These items are readily available in antique jewelry stores and also online, and even in estate auctions and once in a while in a forgotten chest grandma left behind some neither old musty cellar nor attic. However, it take a trained eye to identify and authenticate genuine Victorian antiques, so it would be prudent to first consult a trusted jeweler before  purchasing antique jewelry. This will not be a problem when buying from certified antique jewelry stores and estate sales, but one must be wary when buying from other sources.

TALISMANS, AMULETS AND ANTIQUE RINGS

In this day and age, very seldom do people seriously believe in things which are often related to superstitious beliefs. However, people will occasionally consult their  horoscope at the daily paper ( even if only to amuse themselves or perhaps in some way believe what they read taken with a pinch of salt ) and a recent survey conducted states that 70% of those interviewed firmly believe in some sort of supernatural event which cannot be explained by science.

Hence, there are online astrological services as well as online shops which sell all sorts of love charms, amulets and talismans. Antique jewelry crafted during the Victorian age is often replete with mystical symbols, as well as all underlying hints of the occult. During the Victorian age, things like the Ouija board and other mystical or supernatural phenomenon were not only taken seriously, but were also forms of parlor games or topics for social discussion. It was not unusual to see jewelry which was crafted to be not only personal ornaments but also amulets which would supposedly protect the wearer from certain evil entities.  It was also not uncommon to see Victorian engagement rings engraved with some form of spell to keep the wearer safe from “third” parties who would interfere with the couples love and devotion. The practice of wearing a wedding and engagement ring ,which in some way started during the ancient Roman times, can be traced to the belief of “binding” a loved one by placing a ring on the third left finger which was believed to have a vein directly connected to the heart.  Therefore, seen in this perspective, the engagement ring and the wedding ring were originally considered as love amulets. Some people may no longer believe in the power brought about by wearing amulets but the practice of giving and wearing engagement rings and wedding rings still lives on to this day.

A DUDE’S GUIDE TO WEDDING GIFTS PART 2

So, you have it all planned out. The perfect wedding gift for your best bud. After all you have read about this thing called a bridal registry, picking out a perfect gift should be a snap.

It’s so easy; it’s like picking out something in a menu at the drive-thru. There’s a list, pick out an item for a gift, and that’s it. But then, there’s a problem. Your best buddy and his equally clueless soon-to-be-bride did not think of getting a bridal registry service, so it’s every man, woman and wedding guest’s choice as to what to give them for a wedding present. Hence, expect a pile of toaster ovens and vacuum cleaners at the wedding reception. What do you expect? This was the same friend of yours who came rushing to you to ask for help picking out those antique engagement rings. If he could not figure that out something that simple, then how do you expect him to think about hiring a wedding planner or a bridal registry? Ah, but wait a minute. That’s his problem, it’s his wedding. You were invited as a guest, so be a gentleman and go there with a proper gift. Yes, there will be time for the food and the wine after the wedding, after presenting your gift. Now, what will you give them? Ah, maybe antique jewelry since you helped him pick out that antique , and his soon to be wife was so pleased with it she decided to marry him right there and then. But antiques are expensive and you would not be caught dead inside another antique shop. Think of it this way when giving a gift when you do not have a clue as to what to give. Give them what they WANT, and not something they need. Yes, they need a percolator to make coffee, but they WANT something more exciting, like maybe a ticket to the that concert of their favorite singer, the kind whose songs you don’t even hear on the air anymore. Yes, they need a blender, but since they are both car fanatics, a ticket to that NASCAR Race will make them smile. If they, both soon to be man and wife, are gaming fanatics then buy them a PS3.Get the picture? Know what interests they have, then buy them the object f their dreams. Easy.

THE BRIDAL REGISTRY

When a woman’s family and acquaintances see that she is already wearing an engagement rings, then that means that the wedding bells are not far behind. And, it is time to start saving up to buy a wedding present. Unlike any other occasion, a wedding is a very special one. So it is therefore important to bear in mind that such a special occasion merits a very special gift. So, what exactly does one give as a gift for a wedding?

Well, giving a gift for a couple who are getting married is a lot easier these days, thanks to this thing called a bridal registry. To those who haven’t heard of it, the concept is so simple that there also ought to be a birthday registry or something of the same sort for any other special occasion that demands giving a gift. A bridal registry is simply a service provided by a store as to the items the couple wishes to receive, and these are all neatly listed out. All one needs to do is select a gift from the list, and buy the item from the store. Nowadays, this service is also provided online. The logic behind this is rather practical. Newly weds who are starting out in life need all sorts of home appliances and other things to make a house a home, so this is a rather efficient method for them to receive one item for every kind of appliance they need, and not end up with a mountain of toaster ovens and pots and pans. Sometimes, unique items show up on the list, like antique jewelry or a plane ticket to the Bahamas for their honeymoon. This is one of the advantages of having a bridal registry, since gift giving will not be left to chance and the things they honestly yearn for and need can be easily bought for them.

SUITABLE WEDDING GIFTS

Buying a suitable wedding gift these days is not as complicated as it used to be, thanks to the ever popular bridal registry service. Now, newly married couples will no longer face the nightmare of receiving a pile of toaster ovens and plaid pot holders, since the items which they wish to receive is all neatly laid out in a list.But there must be item or two which they may have missed out and would want to receive, the kind most department stores do not have on stock or do not sell as part of their merchandise. It would be hard to imagine something which cannot be bought at those mega sized malls with their warehouse sized department stores, but there things which one simply cannot find there.  Take for example antique items. When a woman was presented and is wearing antique engagement rings that are a sure sign that she may also want something else other than a tennis racket or a microwave oven. Yes, she most certainly is fond of antique jewelry; otherwise the man in her life would not have gone through all the trouble to buy her antique engagement rings.

An antique shop is definitely the best place to start when looking for antique items. An antique bookshelf or china cabinet is nice, but perhaps a much smaller item would be more suitable for a wedding gift. Bear in mind that the size of a gift is not always proportional to its value and taking into consideration the couple’s lifestyle and interests, may also not be what they exactly want. An antique jewelry box to safely keep precious antique jewelry is much preferable than an antique vase, for instance.  An as an added touch, a pair of antique rings for the couple would definitely complete the package. This combination of items would not only be a unique wedding gift, but also one which will perhaps stand out from the pots and pans and cutlery which the newly married couple will definitely receive.

A HALLOWEEN WEDDING PRESENT

Love chooses no time, and getting married during Halloween is not that unusual. Bridal registry items aside, there is a wealth of Halloween related gift items out there which can be more fun and enjoyable to give and to receive other  than the ubiquitous microwave oven or  coffee maker. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind when presenting Halloween-themed gifts in good taste would be antiques.

Antiques have a certain charm and an air of mystery about them, and this is what makes these items special when these are presented as gifts. Antique gifts are like instant heirlooms, and for this reason the value of these are perceived to be much higher than regular items which are purchased from department stores . Antique silverware and porcelain dishes are among the better items suited as wedding presents. And budgetary constraints aside, an antique bed would not only be a fitting gift, but also a romantic one. However, other than furniture, one may also present pieces of antique jewelry as a wedding present. Most fitting among antique jewelry as a wedding present for a Halloween wedding would be those made during the Victorian era. These pieces were crafted in the 1800’s, an age often associated with romance and a touch darkness and mystery. Jewelry stores which specialize in antique jewelry present a wide variety of pieces to choose from, and there are also several reputable antique jewelry dealers online. Another unique wedding gift idea would be a packaged tour to a European country with dark and mysterious medieval castles or perhaps to a local town with a landmark hotel with a reputation for being haunted. This would be perfect for a newly married couple’s honeymoon. This experience of romance tinged with a touch of mystery and excitement is surely an experience that will not be easily forgotten.

A DUDE’S GUIDE TO WEDDING PRESENTS

So after you slaved away helping your best bud select an engagement rings, he has finally mustered enough guts to get married. Despite the fact that he totally ignored your advice and instead of buying a classic diamond solitaire engagement ring, he instead bought some old ring which he proudly refers to as an Art Deco antique engagement rings, you still consider him your best bud and want to buy him and the missus a nice wedding present. No, an Xbox360 or a PS3 is not a cool wedding present, nor is a pair of tickets to the midget car races a good idea either. So how are you supposed to know what to buy them for a wedding present? Fortunately, you don’t have to consult an online astrologer or your best friend’s barber to get a clue as to what to give them for a present.

The answer lies in what is called a Bridal Registry. A bridal what? A bridal registry is a service which provides a list of items to choose form when buying a present, and is hosted either by an online service provider or a certain department store. Now, once you spell it all out, it’s simple. There is a list. Go over the list. Choose an item. Buy it .No, don’t worry about the gift wrapping because they often do that for you. And you don’t have to carry the gift wrapped microwave oven home, because it will be delivered at the reception. Simple, right? Easy as pie. Now, if the list includes a toaster oven, rejoice and buy them the toaster oven of their dreams.  If not, then choose an item which they like, or they might need, or they want, as long as it is in the list.  Now, that wasn’t so hard. Now what if they weren’t wise enough to get a bridal registry? Well, look forward to the next topic on wedding presents.