I just got a wedding inviation in the mail, and it got me all excited to attend our first wedding together as a married couple*.  I’m sentimental about random “firsts” as man and wife.  Some firsts I could care less about, and others penetrate my old, married hag heart and get me…right there.  Anyway, I love giving a creative gift, so I’ve already started scouring their registry and website for gift ideas.  I’ve found the “about the bride/groom/us” sections can give you some hints into what the couple might enjoy if you dare to give off registry and not cash.  Which then led me to think to share some of the more creative gifts we received from our awesome guests, since I’m sure most of us will be on the guest side at some point in our lives if we haven’t already. 

First, a bridal shower gift from a dear, old high school friend.  Keep in mind that the “theme” was entertainment, guests were to bring a movie clip that they felt expressed and/or imparted some insight to the meaning of love and what makes marriage work, and finally shower us with gifts that would provide us entertainment as a couple.

The packaging:

It opened up to reveal not a stale, crusty pizza, but a nice envelope.

Oh, what was enclosed?  “Dinner and a movie.”  As in a gift certificate for dinner at CPK and movie tickets.  The movie gift certificates were even the ones that work for special engagements.  The whole thing was even home delivery…whee!  Har har.

One of the bear’s childhood friends called us the week of the wedding asking us what we really needed of the registry.  At the time, it was a fan. Yes, a fan.  Hey, we were in the midst of weathering a Southern California summer without central air and a useless A/C unit.  So not only did I know what he was giving us, but we had straight up told him what to get.  I wasn’t expecting any surprises.  However, he threw in a sentimental something extra that was really touching, especially coming from one of the bear’s, well, very guys’ guys. 

Background:  We had a very informal get-together for OOT friends and any friends that wanted to stop by at a Dave & Buster’s a few nights before the wedding.  The bear and his guys’ guys friends also have made and forgotten many a memory at multiple locations of that establishment way back when.

It’s a copy of The Los Angeles Times from the day of our wedding, wrapped up in a hand-drawn little cover combining our initials and wedding date a la the infamous D&B. Awwwww!  If the giver ever stumbles upon this, sorry to embarrass you, dude, but I just had to!!! 

As grateful as I am for each and every gift we received, it’s the little, personal touches that made these gifts stand out from the rest.  What are some of the more creative gifts you’ve received?  What have you given that has made you think, “Dayam…I’m an awesome friend!” or that you were most proud to give?  

* edited later to add:  CRAP!  We have already been to an at-home reception together, and I forgot.  I am really turning into a hag. .  Ah well, it’s the first real wedding, including ceremony, that we will attend together and married.