Engagement Gift Ideas

Looking for engagement gift ideas? We have a few that you may find interesting but first let's learn a little about the tradition and history of engagement gift giving.

As we've stated before, engagement gifts are not traditionally given, nor are they necessary or expected. This is equally true if you just received an announcement about the couple's engagement or if you're invited to an engagement party (you can learn more about engagement party gifts and etiquette here).

If you'd like to give a gift, as many people do, keep in mind that you are expected to give a wedding gift so factor that into your overall gift budget.

Historically, engagement gifts were given by very close family members as a way of welcoming the newly engaged into their family. They usually consisted of some form of family heirloom with great sentimental value and were viewed as a welcoming gesture and a means of carrying on family tradition.

Other than a family heirloom, the teapot is sometimes thought of as a traditional engagement gift. This likely comes from ancient Chinese culture where a tea ceremony was held in honor of a wedding engagement. Similar tea rituals for bringing people and family closer together are also found in 18th century America and were likely imported from Britain.

Regardless of the origin or the authenticity of the tradition, we like the idea of a teapot or tea set for two as an engagement gift—it's a sweet, romantic gift for a couple starting out their lives together.

The reality today is that there are no rules when it comes to engagement gifts. Anyone can give a gift of any kind if they want to, so let's take a look at some categories of engagement gift ideas.

Unique Engagement Gifts

Couples love to receive unique gifts for both an engagement and wedding because it shows that the gift giver gave some extra thought to their selection. The buzz and excitement that surrounds a unique and unexpected surprise is a memory that will be cherished for years to come.

Our Top Picks for Unique Engagement Gifts
 

Personalized Engagement Gifts

Personalized engagement gifts are great for showing your support for the upcoming nuptials. Having an item personalized with the couples names or monogrammed with their initials makes it extra special.

Top Picks for Personalized Engagement Gifts
 

Practical Engagement Gifts

Many couples, especially those that are younger and starting out in life, appreciate practical gifts for their engagement and items that every new home would need.

These may include: Small Appliances, Household Items, Photo Albums, Luggage....

 

Wedding Related Engagement Gifts

These are engagement gift ideas that relate to the big day.

Appropriate to this category of gift would be items such as: Wedding Planners, Name Change Kits, Books on Wedding Planning and Weddings, Bridal Magazines, Spa Gift Certificates (a great idea for a couples massage just prior to the wedding to relieve the tension and stress of the upcoming nuptials).

Our Top Picks for Wedding Engagement Gifts
 

Relationship Bonding Engagement Gifts

These are gifts that help strengthen a relationship and build on its foundation and can include:

Gift Certificate to a favorite 'date' restaurant.
Couples Cooking Class (A fun bonding experience for them and useful as they start out their life together.)
A Couples Gym Membership.
 

Monthly Engagement Gifts

These are fun, thoughtful gifts that remind the couple monthly how excited you are over their union and if timed correctly can countdown to the wedding itself. There are so many possibilities here including:

Wedding or Travel Magazine Subscriptions (To help plan the big day or decide on a honeymoon destination.) Fruit/Food/Wine of the Month Clubs...

Our Top Picks for Monthly Engagement Gifts

Ultimately, engagement gifts are to congratulate the couple and let them know that their friends and family are excited about their upcoming union. Engagement gift ideas can run from a simple handwritten card sent through the mail, to a bouquet of flowers, to much more elaborate and expensive items like gifting them their honeymoon.