Well I didnt get it as a gift, but bought one for myself, its called a rocket grill, walmart sells them. I had looked at them for quite awhile, and decided to get it.....we absolutely love it, its the best thing i have ever bought for myself, plus no clean up when your done cooking in it.

We got the usual assortment of sheets, cash, this that and the other. But 2 things that I still remember and cherish--35 years later--are a milk glass pedestal serving dish from a neighbor of my in-laws. And a lovely, huge punch bowl set (24 cups/ladle, huge glass tray under bowl) from my mom's best friend. The milk glass plate thing probably wasn't even that expensive, but it's just lovely, and I've really enjoyed using it. The punch bowl is truly spectacular, and just a joy to use.

Probably the most useful was an electric skillet. I remember thinking, "When on earth will I use this giant dust collector?". Well, I've used it and used it, and am now on my third one. The heat setting is adjustable, easy to clean, portable, and can be used to keep food warm during a party. My current one is a round, stainless steel Farberware.

For me, it was a box of really neat Christmas ornaments. That just tickled me to pieces.

I just took pictures of my two favorite wedding gifts. They are old but I use them all the time and just love these. The batter bowl & wisk was made by a local artist and the platter is thick glass with little feet. It's perfect for bundt cake or a batch of cupcakes.

These are two things I would have never bought for myself. I don't think you can go wrong with something from a local artist.

~Betsy

If your young man is the delight of your family, I would select a gift for his pleasure. We gave DD and her DH a housewarming gift from all the aunts and uncles and us on our side of the family as a house warming gift--an elaborate propane BBQ. 'Twas one uncle's idea, and the rest of us helped pay for it while he researched it, bought it, assembled it and delivered it in his truck.

Another time, for a young couple who were marrying and I knew the groom (2nd marriage), I sent a hard back copy of The Joy of Cooking...figured he'd get some benefit from it as meals on the table or a source of recipes if he liked to cook.

Another male gift could be some neat tools for the new head of the household--drill, electric saw, etc. that can fit into a nice, large toolbox. If they will live in a house and not an apartment, the tools could be bigger for installation in the garage.

We were given a nice quality stainless steel mixing bowl and large roasting pan. Still use them both to this day.

Also, we were given a lovely picture frame. Our wedding picture is still in it, decades later.

I got a beautiful set of candle holders from an older couple. It came with a poem about when there is very little money left, buy a loaf of bread with some to nourish the body and something else to nourish the soul. They said sitting in candlelight with your loved one was good for nourishing your soul.

I love my roasting pans as well.
I would agree that something that would be especially meaningful to him is a great idea.

Probably from my sister. It was a wine, crackers, cheese basket and other stuff I don't remember with a nice glass plate, fancy knife to slice the cheese, and a nice corkscrew.

Several times when I didn't know what the couple's taste was, I would get a large basket and fill it with kitchen gadgets like paring knives,potato peelers, timers, and that sort of thing. The couple usually likes it because they never think of this stuff until they need it.
Nancy

This is a little different from what you might expect as a wedding gift.

Whether they will be living in a house or apartment, they will have furniture and personal belongings. Young couples don't always think of this, but they will need to have Homeowners (or Renters) Insurance. A good wedding gift is a policy for their first year, with a reminder that it will be up to them to continue it.

My parents did that for us when my DH and I got married. We would never have thought of it, but always kept it in place.

Sue

If they have had their own places to live and have the usual stuff, a gift cert from either a mall, large dept store, or even Target. If you want to make it special, a nice artificial arrangement with a card and gift card tucked into it.

A big, nice, picnic basket with everything that's needed for a picnic, except for the food -- large tablecloth that can be spread out on the ground or used to cover a picnic table, napkins, plates, cups, flatware, cutting board, knives (cheese and bread), good corkscrew/wine opener, containers for food, etc.

A "AAA" membership, which we have renewed every year since. Membership includes a lot more than roadside assistance, there are travel discounts, trip planning and travel agent services, free maps of anywhere in the world on request, a great travel magazine subscription and more. Their website is a great resource for members.

Part of the "practical" gift could be a kit to hang pictures with. I bought that for a friend and she said when she opened it - she wondered what I was thinking. After she moved into her house she thanked me and thought it was a wonderful gift.

Was it someone here who recieved a moving in box? If they are moving into a new place, put in some nocook foods, paper plates, plastic cups, wet ones and a great bottle of wine. Even a gift cert for pizza would be nice. Pack it in a box and say "Unpack me first when you move"

why not three ornaments for their christmas tree? one engraved with his name and year, one hers and year and the other their last name.

if they purchased a home already, why not an engraved door knocker - their name 'established 2008.

maryanne

All great ideas.....Im still undecided. I read an article about wedding gifts and one of the favorites of the author was a big basket of games, with a note about having fun with each other. I like that idea.

When I moved to FL 10 years ago & then got married-we both had everything that was needed to run a household (and then some). A family member & my best friend from PA-gave me a year's subscription to my 2 local weekly newspapers from PA..I LOVED that! Thought of each of them every week when the papers arrived in the mail!

My most memorable wedding gift was a silver heart box engraved with a special message . But I think that something "personal" is always a good choice.(of course I am a sappy person ) Perhaps a family heirloom of some sort??? It is so hard to buy gifts nowdays as people have everything they need, etc. Do they have a registry ?

I grew up across the street from a friend whose parents gave us a copy of "Leaves of Gold" as a wedding gift. Four decades later, I still pick it up from the coffee table in my living room, and read the thoughtful words from whatever pages open first.