What Is the Proper Engagement Gift?

Everywhere you look, there are couples announcing their engagements. With so many people getting engaged and you being the popular person you are, chances are you will be called with an invite to the engagement party. Your happiness for the couple might turn to panic, however, when you find yourself wondering, “What do I get them for an engagement gift?” Don’t worry; you’ll be able to handle this task with ease after reading my top three tips for the proper engagement gift:

Engagement Gift Tip #1: Don’t Break the Bank

Getting someone an engagement gift usually assumes that you are close enough with them that you’ll be invited to the party. 

When it comes to time to pick out a present, remember that you will also be buying them a wedding gift down the line, so don’t break the bank. Think of an engagement gift as an appetizer and the wedding gift as the main course.

Now, I’m not going to say how much you should spend because every person has different finances and really money is not the issue here. Presents are not about money; they are about the thought, and I will argue that until I’m blue in the face.

For example, my one friend took my wife and me out for dinner when we got engaged. We had a great night with him and his wife and it was a perfect way to congratulate us. He didn’t splurge on the nicest place in town, but then again it wasn’t McDonald's. His gift was a way to spend some time with us and share our excitement about the big day—it was just what we wanted.

What about if you're going to an engagement party? Again, engagement gifts are a way to say “Congratulations!” They’re not a competition. Keep it simple with a nice picture frame, a photo album, or a gift certificate to the couple's favorite restaurant.

If you need more guidance on the engagement gift, you can buy something small off the registry.

Engagement Gift Tip #2:  A Group Gift

I had eight groomsmen in my wedding party and I have been the best man in five weddings, so I’m used to hanging out with a tight group of guys. One way we like to give engagement gifts is by doing a group gift. We pool our money together and get the...

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