The New Guide to Wedding Gifts
During the pandemic, weddings—along with graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and major holidays—were put on pause. Many who had spent the past year meticulously planning their ceremonies, receptions, or destination celebrations had to postpone, massively scale down, or altogether cancel their nuptials. On the brighter side, being kept inside with only each other helped love bloom for some, and a whole host of new engagements are ready for celebration.
As the world slowly opens up again, here’s what we’re working with: A year (or perhaps two) that will be absolutely jam-packed with weddings. We’re calling it now: 2021 will be a big year for weddings—and you’ve got to be prepared, whether you’re the couple creating the registry or the repeat wedding guest who will have to manage buying so! many! gifts!
So, here’s the all-new Epicurious Guide to Wedding Gifts. This is the cook and food lover’s ultimate guide to registering or buying a wedding gift right now. It takes into consideration that many engaged couples are coming out of this pandemic different—as better cooks, more dedicated to properly mixing a cocktail, or really enthusiastic about camping all of a sudden. This guide answers questions like: Do I send gifts for people who had to cancel or postpone their weddings? (Definitely!) Is it ever okay to go off registry? (Not really!) And, Can I go in on a gift with a bunch of my friends to save money, but still get something awesome? (Preferably!) Find all of our advice compiled in one place here, and check in for updates and new stories in the days to come.
Read the stories:
A jar of fancy nut butter, a bottle of peppery olive oil—these are the gifts to send to couples who love to cook, even if they don’t want a traditional registry.
Two experts weigh in on the cooking gear that will enhance all your fire-cooked dinners outside.
Give the gift of food, month after month.
Maybe they just started cooking during the pandemic. Maybe they’re working on their omelet skills. Maybe their knives need an upgrade. These are the best wedding gifts for couples who are just learning to cook—or honing their basic skills.
Prepare for a glowing thank-you card.
Give the gift of a stellar cookbook collection: A mix of books that cover cooking fundamentals, weeknight meals, dinner party mainstays, and…dessert, of course.
Married chefs, food writers, cookbook authors, and more dish on the best things they added to their registries—and what they’d ask for if they could do it all again.
If you’d rather something green than something blue, this is where to shop.
If your budget only allows you to buy the most boring gift on the wedding registry, why not get a group of friends together and go in on something more impactful?
What to get the people in your life whose big weddings got canceled or postponed.
These are the bottles worth putting on your wedding registry—whether you’re learning the cocktail basics, really getting into classic cocktails, or devoted to bitter drinks.
You’ve got the appliances and spendy cookware covered. Fill out your list with these lower price-point but just as vital kitchen tools and accessories.
How to harness the giving power of your guest list to do a little good.
Originally Appeared on Epicurious
