It’s wedding season, folks, where almost every weekend is blocked off for celebrations. It also means that you’ll need plenty of incredibly thoughtful wedding gift ideas on-hand.
Of course, you could always go the registry route. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if you’re more of a mind to give unique and personal gifts that may not be on the registry but that thoughtfully reflect your relationship to the recipients — as well as bring a welcome surprise — then read on.
Something for cuddling: I doubt the newlyweds need any encouragement to snuggle up, but a soft-as-can-be blanket big enough for two (60 by 80 inches) can’t hurt. The brand new Lightweight Blanket ($125 on chappywrap.com) is the New England-based company’s latest, and it provides all the warmth the couple will want when hanging out together by the fire pit or porch swing, without the heaviness. Each one is made of machine-washable jacquard-woven design and resists shrinking or pilling, and they come in a bevy of gorgeous reversible designs — from florals to trellis patterns.
Something to get them fired up: You know they already have an oven. But do they already have a pizza oven — especially a snazzy one that can fit everywhere from their tiny back patio or balcony to their campsite? Probably not. The Ooni Karu 12G Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven ($399 on ooni.com) uses either wood, charcoal, or a gas burner to fire pizzas up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit in about a minute.
Something delicious to read: Part cookbook and part food memoir, “The World Central Kitchen Cookbook” ($35 on penguinrandomhouse.com) is a New York Times bestseller. It’s also your key to unlocking all kinds of scrumptious dishes for the newlyweds to cook together. At the same time, it’s chock full of stories they can read together about chef friends of José Andrés — all to benefit his nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK), which feeds communities impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Something both culinary and romantic: The Famille Rose Picnic Basket ($199.95 on williams-sonoma.com) checks both boxes, and will inspire plenty of outdoor relaxing and poetry reading together. The classic basket hamper holds everything you need, plus an insulated cooler. And the vintage floral patterns of its plates call to mind the “famille rose” of Chinese porcelain designs from the 18th century, while the floral lining is festooned with colorful leaves and blooms.
Something to set the mood: Candles can be a dime a dozen, but certainly not the absolutely transportive Three Sisters Candle Set ($192 on flamingoestate.com). Made from intensely scented vegetables grown on the company’s California property — these are three cult-favorite candles in euphoric Rosemary, calming Sage, and the blissful Roma Tomato. The three candles come in long-lasting vegetable wax and fully recyclable glass. They’ll perfume the whole house, and are simply divine. Oh, and they come packed in a beautifully decorated box with a hand-written note. So you don’t even need to think about wrapping.
A good night’s sleep: Every couple needs fantastic bedding, so opt for something a little unusual — and unusually luxurious. As in a Linen Sheet Set ($195.30 on buffy.co). I love how they get softer with every wash and are naturally light and extremely breathable — and come with buttons to keep everything neatly in place. What’s more, they come in pretty and calming colors, like a soft gray “Rain” and the butter-yellow “Shortbread.”
Something musical and personal: Made-to-order songs written specifically about and for the couple can be commissioned by professional musicians. For example: Tell singer/songwriter David Morgan a few of the couples’ memories and milestones and he’ll turn it into an original piece of music. ($100-$250 on uncommongoods.com). The resulting custom-made song (one-minute or three-minute track) is then delivered to the couple via MP3 audio file, and its lyrics are delivered on a PDF document.
