One of the most memorable days in our lives is when two people commit their love to one another through marriage. Wedding gifts are traditionally offered to the newlyweds as tokens of affection and love as well as a means to provide the new couple with starter home supplies.

In days of old, couples did not live together until they were married. After being wed, the two typically would start building their lives together, including moving into their own home and starting their own family. Wedding gifts allowed friends and family of the pair to provide the newlyweds with some much needed home supplies and gifts of good luck and fortune that hopefully the couple would carry with them for many years. In colonial times, traditional wedding gifts might include home made quilts, food and perhaps even furniture for the new home.

In contemporary times, more and more couples are marrying after having lived together for many years. While many wedding gifts still have a characteristic theme of supplying the new couple with home goods, a majority of couples already have much of the things they would need to supply a new home. Thus, wedding gifts have taken on a sentimental twist. Many wedding gifts today embody creative themes that take into consideration the personality and lifestyle of the couple being wed. Personalized wedding gifts are a popular selection among many guests. Some wedding gifts incorporate photos of the husband and wife in their single days.

Many wedding gifts are also created to offer luck to the bride and groom. In the past, many brides were considered vulnerable to evil wishes, thus customs and traditions of old were aimed at providing protection to the bride. Many gifts are crafted to bring luck and prosperity and to ward off evil.

Some of the most popular of wedding gifts include:

-untraditional items such as books and collectibles from exotic lands
-gift certificates
-house cleaning offers

Yet another unique idea is providing a gift that correlates with the month the wedding occurs in. There are several superstitions regarding the time of year a couple weds. For example, folklore suggests that when a couple marries in September, their love and life will be filled with riches. A great wedding gift to bring added luck to a September ceremony might include a token treasure chest or similar paraphernalia. Tradition also holds true that December brings true love that will last. Perhaps a gift engraved with "forever" will make help communicate this sentiment. Rest assured, if your wedding gift comes from the heart, it will be appreciated and held in high regard.

Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. You can find Wedding Shower Favors and other great ideas for your Bridal Shower at her site. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for Gift News her free monthly newsletter.

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