Over the weekend I went to a wedding shower for Jake & Maggie. I took a gift that is becoming a standard around here….a monogrammed market tote filled to the brim with free cleaning supplies from my couponing adventures.
While it wasn’t exactly on their gift registry, I think it’s pretty useful. I’m wondering 3 things:
- Is it ok to give things that aren’t on the couple’s gift registry? (Especially if they have really expensive taste?)
- Is it considered tacky or smart to give things I get for free with coupons? (They don’t have to know I got it for free, right?)
- If it is considered tacky, does the adorable monogrammed market tote cancel out the tackiness? (I’m really hoping you say it does.)
Feel free to share your thoughts!
I would love to get one of those bags!! I think it's completely fine to give something that's not on the registry (especially if it's really creative or helpful) =)
I think it's totally fine to give something not on a registry – we got a lot not on our registry for both our wedding & baby shower.
I think that it's fine to get something free as long as it's useful or beautiful (like art). I think you're right – they don't have to know it's free. I've given baby gifts & wedding gifts things I've won off of my blog. I won a really adorable dress I had monogrammed and gave it to friends for their new baby.
Personally, I think it's all okay! Gifts like yours are more personal and I think they're appreciated and remembered more, too!
Come over and see me sometime.
I try not to stray from a bride's registry, but if I was going to…I would definitely go with a monogrammed gift like those adorable bags! I think the monogram adds an elegant and personal touch. May I ask where the couple was registered at? Did they use MyRegistry.com? That's been where I've been directed to for shopping for the past few weddings, and had no problem finding the right gift to get!
I think it is totally fine. Saves the couple from having to go out and buy all sorts of cleaning products!
I think it's completely fine to give a gift that isn't on a registry. (I've never been married, but I have given a LOT of wedding gifts.) I think as long as it's thoughtful and practical (i.e. no concrete cupid statues), there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. And this basket is certainly very practical. The monogram makes it very personal. And unless you tell, no one will know you got it for free.
That's just my two cents…
Are you kidding? That's a fantastic gift!
It's personal and practical. I love it!
I just came across this post and though I know that I’m a wee bit late to the game I thought I would tell you that most “etiquette” people think that wedding registries are tacky because it’s basically like saying, “You can’t pick out a gift for me, just buy me this.” (I should mention I am not judging anyone, I had registries back when I got married.) So you’re gift sounds awesome!
I think the tote is fabulous. And the cleaning supplies are a brilliant idea, no matter how you collected them. It’s the gift that counts, not whether you spent money or not! Love this idea! (In fact it’s so pretty and practical I may have to keep this in mind for the next wedding I attend!)