RNmom did a topic about this container, I like the idea but maybe a bit longer for the DR table.

Container/Cache pot

An experience they will always remember! What do they love to do? Can you sponsor an event around that? If nothing comes to mind, how about a romantic train ride, or a hot air balloon ride, etc.

My go-to gift for the newly-married is a very nice-looking clock. It's practical, and not usually something they would have/buy for themselves (other than an alarm clock). And it is unlikely to be a duplicate gift!

You would need to know a bit about the style they like, but mantel-type or wall-type are what I have done. And for "romance", it will count the happy hours they will enjoy together!

How about some monogrammed towels? Everyone can use some fresh towels.

I also suggest a nice, memory making experience.

Until you know her really well try not to give them something that may not fit her decorating vision of their home.

Congratulations to the new couple!

Tickets/Certificates for different fun, romantic monthly outings/activities/dates for the next year...snowtubing or Opening Night tickets for this month, Warren Theater Tickets for February, and other such events throughout the year and state.

Ooooh, I love the Warren Theater! Especially their Directors Suite. A gift certificate to a romantic restaurant? B&B or hotel suite?

Without knowing your budget or their taste it’s hard to say, but my first thought is a long weekend at an upscale B&B or resort. I’d vote for an experience over stuff, unless they say “we’d really love a new______.”

A hastily planned/unexpected wedding, especially at this time of year, often means no or a delayed honeymoon. Treating them to a weekend away whenever convenient to them to privately celebrate their wedding I think would be a very much appreciated and remembered gift.

Definitely an experience thing...spa weekend including a couple's massage maybe

How wonderful Oakley! Hire a limo to take them out to the nicest restaurant in their town. Pre-order a bottle of champagne to be waiting for them at the restaurant. Gift them the meal and also arrange for the limo ride home. Maybe the limo service would stock the limo with a pre-dinner toast and you could buy engraved champagne flutes (if they don't have some!) Oh, you must be so happy for them.

I'm totally thrilled, although I've only met her a few times. My guess is after the holidays they'll want to chill at home for awhile. Tomorrow they're taking a little family-moon to her parents who live out of state in a nice area with lots to do. They'll be gone for 5 days. My first Christmas without DS1. Maybe I don't like her. lol

I do like the idea of a nice clock. DS has a beautiful french style bedroom and the granite top of his large dresser is empty. I could see a pretty gold or silver clock sitting on it. Surely she won't want to get rid of the bedroom furniture?

Keep the suggestions coming. One thing I know about her is she grew up with the finer things in life so I kind of want to impress her but not necessarily doing that by spending a whole lot of money. I kind of go crazy at Christmas anyway.

". Surely she won't want to get rid of the bedroom furniture?"

If another wife picked it out and used it she might. I would.

Take it slow. Get to know her. Be happy your son is happy. Let them find their own style.

Maddie, the furniture was used for only one year & DS had a hand in picking it out. I mentioned it only in jest because it's so pretty. Taking it slow is probably the best course of action, especially when I see how she likes to decorate.

If I got remarried the bedroom would be the first thing that would be redone in the house. The bed would absolutely go. The whole thing.

My vote is for a great experience for the two of them.

Congratulations to your son and his new wife! Congratulations to the whole family!

Me too. The bedroom furniture, maybe all the furniture, maybe even the house itself - O.U.T! Only a year is a year too long. Would you want to sleep in that bed, Oakley?

I wouldn't buy anything for the house. My guess is It's not long till they move. A romantic experience is a lovely idea.I

Enjoy this time, and congratulations to all!

I agree on an experience gift.. but I also like to give something to mark the occasion. One of my niece's was married with little advance notice this fall -- and she also requested no gifts. Still, I got her an engraved cheese slate board from Brooklyn Slate -- she is very much a cheese enthusiast so it seemed like the perfect small gift to celebrate their new life.. and name. These are not "fancy" as some engraved items can be.. but it fit their style and the type of entertaining they do.

I actually made a custom gift.. the cheese board starter kit with an engraving (at the time, they didn't offer this on their site). Here are some examples:

Agree the bedroom furniture would be the first to go! Along with the experience ideas, I love Funky's idea. Not knowing her taste and not wanting to give something that she might feel she has to display that she hates, this is perfect.

Gorgeous slate boards! Thanks, Funky-I think it may be the answer to one last gift I needed.

Oakley, I ordered that cache pot but am sending it back. The small detailing in the beads is uneven in some areas, and the finish is spotty in places as well. Looks much better in the photo.

Sorry this is long. My son built a house on an acre we had next door, out in the country. Over my dead body will he move! lol He loves his house & has only been in it for 3 years, two of them by himself and the kids half the time. We have a family garden going and a large greenhouse. His new wife has already declared she loves the country and our small town, and likes to get her hands dirty in the flowerbed/garden. One of her Christmas gifts is box with a garden apron, gloves, kneeling pad, and the proper pruning sheers for flowers.

The nice thing about the bedroom is it isn't decorated except having furniture in there. No accessories or anything. After DS and his ex moved in they decided to divorce. That's the room new DIL used to put her wedding dress on with all the ladies hovering. Good memories have already been made in there, professional pictures taken, and some unmentionables taking place. ;)

Here's a cute story, a tiny bit long but everyone breathed a sigh of relief. DS has a 9yo boy and a 7yo girl. A month ago they were to meet the 6yo daughter of my son's then girlfriend. DGD was at my house one afternoon and it was just me and her in the kitchen while she was sitting at the counter having a snack.

Me: Aren't you excited about having a new friend?

Her: I have a friend.

Me: But it's better to have a LOT of friends.

Her: I have a lot of friends.

Miss snotty pants!! lol

A few days later they met for the first time, and DS told his daughter to show the girl her bedroom. They took off and have been inseparable ever since! Her new step-sister spent the night several times a week (mom didn't, big no no), and the night of the wedding DGD slept in her new sister's bedroom to keep her company. They are even wearing each other's clothes. I love it!

They were the bride's maids in the wedding, and they look like sisters. The girls know that and it makes them happy.

Just a few minutes ago they left to DIL's parent's house for Christmas, and while I know they'll have a lot of fun like a horse and carriage ride & the women are going to the American Girl Store where you have to have reservations for lunch. I miss them already and it will be my first Christmas without DS1 and the grands. It's harder than I thought it would be. I'm kind of sad.

Congrats to your son, Oakley! Don't be upset if your new DIL chooses to refurnish the bedroom. That would be expected under the circumstances.

What happened to your thumb?

That is such a sweet story of the little girls meeting and becoming fast friends.

You may now get to invite them for a cookie party so they can tell you all about their Christmas trip!

Funky, adjusting will be the hard part. I hope after the holidays when things settle down I can really get to know her.

Maddie, that sounds like fun!

Cindy, I have Stenosing tenosynovitis , aka trigger thumb. It's more common in fingers. After the new year I'll be getting corticosteroid shots and hopefully it will get a lot better so I don't have to have surgery. Strangest thing ever.

I've had that in a finger. Fortunately, never needed the shots. Why are you waiting till the new year?

Wishing your son and his new wife every happiness. You never know how things will go with the house. One of my close friends still lives in the house her husband bought with his ex-wife. They have been there 27 years now. She loves the house and the neighborhood. However, the house was gradually totally redone to her taste. I think it all depends on both the ability for your son to allow the house to become her house and his new wife’s ability to accept that the house can truly be hers. Another friend it was the opposite they had to move for her to feel the home was “theirs”.

Congratulations to you Oakley on your new DIL and Granddaughter!

Cindy, in case there are any side effects at the shot site and the soreness afterwards. With the holidays here I have a lot to do. You're lucky the finger healed. Mine's at the severe stage so I expect more than one shot to see if it helps. It went to severe one week after the clicking started. What a pain. I'm on my third roll of medical tape and use two different types of braces. I had to hide my thumb during wedding pictures. lol

Don't wait too long, Oakley. I had a trigger finger (middle finger, at that) and let it go too long. The surgery took care of it, but because it had been frozen in place for so long, it won't go totally flat. No problem with usage, just a slightly bent finger. And the surgery was nothing. I just let other things take precedence.

Lizbeth, I plan to get this taken care of asap. It's driving me bonkers! I was lucky the thumb froze for only a few hours until it unlocked on it's own. I happened to have a doctor's appt. the next day and she immediately put the thumb/hand in a brace. Sometimes that will heal the problem, but it's only gotten worse for me.

Hopefully a round of shots will take care of it. I can't imagine not using my right hand for awhile.

I wanted to give an update on the gift which I haven't bought yet, and I'm glad I didn't. But I will. DS and DIL finally moved all her things to his house and put her house up for sale. When I was in their house the other day I noticed some of her decor items from her old house were set in place. So I need to wait until she's all settled in to see if there's anything they could use. I still like the mantel clock idea.

About her maybe wanting to move, no way. She has made herself lady of the manor and loves the country. DS said she acts like she's lived there forever which makes him thrilled.

DIL told me a couple of weeks ago the first change she'll make is buying new bedding. LOL.

When I went over there yesterday to let their Golden's outside for a bit, I saw a lot of various packages of Ralph Lauren bedding. From pillows to comforters. I like her tastes. I think I'll tell her I need new bedding for Christmas this year. :)

This is such a wonderful story. I remember well when you first told us your son was moving next door. You had such high expectations but the marriage fell apart fast. It has been a tough three years for you and your son so I'm sure you are well pleased with this new turn of events. I'm so glad the two girls are becoming fast friends. That will make everything go so much smoother. I have two grandkids about the age of yours. Their dad remarried a few years ago and now they have two stepbrothers. Fortunately, they love their stepmother and new little brothers. Even my daughter likes the new wife. It just makes a tough situation so much better if everyone gets along. I hope you'll keep us posted on how it goes with the bedroom furniture, etc. Like it is any of our business. ;-)

Peace, thank you. I love my new DIL, but I'm still mourning the loss of his first marriage. Did you ever feel like you were in mourning with extreme sadness? It came out of nowhere for us, but now everyone is happy.

The little girls decided to share a bedroom instead of having their own. Never having a sister, I love that!

I understand the feeling of mourning. The first two or three times I saw my son in law after their separation I cried. And this was in public places. So embarrassing for both of us.