“An envelope does not necessarily have to contain money – a gift voucher can be a great alternative. If guests know the newlyweds’ hobbies or long-held dreams, they can give a voucher to a favorite store or service location. For example, if the couple plays padel and plans to update their equipment, such a voucher can be a practical and personal gift. Therefore, the phrase ‘the gift must fit in the envelope’ should not be taken literally – the most important thing is not what is put in the envelope, but that the gift is thoughtful and useful,” says wedding planner Teresa Ulozienė.
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How to choose the right gift?
To avoid misunderstandings about unwanted gifts, newlyweds sometimes use technology, for example, creating a list of desired gifts in special apps or websites. In such systems, guests can choose one of the listed desired gifts, which is automatically marked as reserved.
However, in Lithuania, this practice is not yet widespread, so wedding guests usually have to find a gift themselves. As the wedding planner advises, when choosing a gift, it is important to consider not only your financial capabilities but also your relationship with the newlyweds and the nature of the celebration.
Although the value of a gift should not be measured only in money, according to T. Ulozienė, a gift of about 200 euros, when giving an envelope from the couple, is often considered a guideline minimum. The final amount can increase depending on closeness to the newlyweds, financial capabilities, and other reasons.
“When planning a cash gift, especially from the couple, it is often recommended to think about how much you would spend for an evening for two or a similar occasion. Such a guideline helps to choose an amount that fits both your capabilities and the situation. Still, the most important thing is not the exact amount. You need to assess your possibilities, your relationship with the newlyweds, and give what you can sincerely afford,” notes T. Ulozienė.
Creative gifts also remain appreciated. According to the wedding planner, friends or relatives often unite and give a larger joint gift or a memorable experience, but such decisions need to be prepared in advance – implementing an original idea a few days before the wedding may be too late.
“The invitation indicating a gift in an envelope is also not a prohibition on giving items. If a material gift is thoughtful, useful, and meets the newlyweds’ needs, it can even be more appreciated than money,” adds the specialist.
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Guests tend to surprise
According to sales data from “Gift Island,” the biggest peak in wedding gifts, as one might easily guess, is recorded during the summer period. At that time, various entertainment options are most often purchased, regardless of their seasonality. Among the most popular categories remain overnight stays and various relaxation offers.
“We notice that with each year, sales in the wedding gift category grow – over the past year, this category grew by about 14%, and the most popular gifts become experiences – romantic SPA weekends, tastings, dinners for two. Instead of money or items, time together and impressions are given,” says “Gift Island” manager Vainius Žalimas.
According to him, those looking for a more interesting gift that fits into an envelope as requested by the newlyweds like to turn to personal experiences, for example, choosing gift vouchers or experiences they have tried themselves and really liked.
Still, on the occasion of a wedding, people are not afraid to surprise with unique ideas. Sometimes these are very unexpected experiences, such as a hot air balloon flight or more extreme entertainment like parachute jumps.
According to the speaker, although the amount spent on a wedding gift often varies, these are usually higher-value gifts than on ordinary occasions. Company data shows that the average value of a wedding gift is about 120 euros, with a modest annual increase observed. “From customer choices, we see that for this amount, universal gifts are more often sought that safely meet the expectations of the newlyweds,” adds V. Žalimas.
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