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Choosing that oh-so-special gift for the woman you love
Your bride has been busier than she will ever be in her life. Yes, even busier than post-birth – and we are seriously not kidding (there’s instinct involved in the baby thing, the wedding planning is all adrenaline, bridal magazines, maternal pressure and… well, you get it).
The average bride will spend every day for 12 to 18 months pre-occupied with her wedding to you. It will be the first thing she thinks of when she wakes up and the last thing she thinks of as she’s finally nodding off, going to bed nightly an average three hours later than she did pre or will post event.
So what does that mean for you? Well, mister, it’s high time you gave some (ok, a lot) of thought to a gift to the woman who may or may not be taking your name, may or may not be bearing you children, but has agreed to plan the biggest party of your (and her) life.
Jewelry may be the obvious gift, but give it an original twist. Here’s a look at a range of some of the hottest gifts for your fiancé-soon-to-be-wife. (Just FYI, there was a time [yes, a few years ago] when we were a young, hopeful bride-to-be, so we do know some of what we speak. We’ve also polled a range of women to get their feedback.)
Jammin’ Jamah
Jamah, an exclusive Marina del Rey accessories company that makes some rockin’ purses, features the Jamah Wedding Collection, which is not only a nice little gift set, but practical, too, especially for the couple who are honeymooning. The collection includes Travel Accessories: Brides Bag, Weekender, Toiletry Kit, Passport Wallet, Luggage Tag, ID tag and more. These beautiful pieces retail from approximately $40 to $780. Jamah Products are sold at Kitson and Fred Segal, among others. To view the latest collection, www.jamah.com
Designer for a Day
Treat your beloved like a princess, at least for a day. Kathlin Argiro of New York have a groom gift package, in which grooms buy a “Shopping and Champagne” private appointment with Argiro herself. During the consultation Argiro helps your bride choose the most flattering dress. The groom can purchase this as a package for his bride and up to 10 bridesmaids. Contact Courtney Zellmer (212-268-8774)
Hang Up
Luxe Link: If your bride is fond of purses (and there are few of us who don’t) and more notably, pricey purses, she probably doesn’t want to put it on the floor. Consider Luxe Link. You may remember your mother having some version of this, hanging her pocketbook off a church pew, perhaps. But when Luxe Link brags that it keeps “your pricey purse pristine,” they’re not kidding. And Luxe Link isn’t just a trinket; it’s a really pretty accessory that’s a kind of jewelry in itself. Styles include flourished initials, crystals designs, mod, floral and more. So you’d be presenting your bride with something both practical and pretty, and in a price range from $35 to $75.
Yes, Virgilio, You Can Shop On-Line
Bride appropriate gifts can be found here, at groomsonline.com, as well as ice.com.. The latter recommend a bracelet to represent a groom’s love, a 1/2 Carat Diamond 14K White Gold 7 1/2 Inch “Circle Of Love” Bracelet at $295 or the 1/4 Carat Diamond 14K Gold Journey Heart Earrings to symbolize their next journey together as husband and wife. For a gift at a higher price-point, one of our bestsellers is a 10k white gold two-carat tennis bracelet at $795.
Channeling Brangelina
If you’d still like to get some jewelry, but have a philanthropic side, consider Zavida Gemstones, which gathers handcrafted jewelry worldwide and donates 25% of their profits back to the areas where they obtained the items. Your bride may love a Mother of Pearl and Sterling Silver Necklace with Pearl Dangles, Double Strand, 18 Inches in Length Designed in Indonesia for $206.00.{mospagebreak}
Good Timing
We believe that everyone should have one really nice watch. A truly good watch, featuring some engraving on the underside from groom to bride seems like a pretty good – and timely – choice. Conside Tourneau Timepieces Lady Oval in White – Stainless steel case, mother of pearl dial with pavé diamonds on white strap $1,250. www.tourneau.com for a retailer near you.
Scent of Love
Why not create a custom scent? One of our favorites is Ajne – and we’re not alone. “Private Practice” star Kate Walsh and Paris Hilton were among the luminaries at Kate Somerville Skin Care Clinic in West Hollywood, Calif.’s Oscar suite last year – who were treated to a custom blending by Ajne owners Jane and Rex Hendler. They offer custom blending at their beautiful Carmel, Calif. More info, www.ajne.com. To make a custom scent even more special, consider the vintage and/or antique perfume bottles available at Manhattan Art & Antiques Center, Ken Leach Gallery, NYC, NY. $100 - $4,000 each.
Alternative Gift Car
A long-time alternative to a gift card (which to some may seem to an after-thought type of gift) is Ribbon, which lets recipients choose the gift, and now available online at ordermygift.com. The gift purchaser chooses from 19 Ribbon Gift Collections available to meet every occasion, budget and event. It offers brand names such as adidas®, Sony®, Cuisinart®, Ghirardelli®, and Coach®, just to name a few. One collection is called the I Do! Collection A groom can choose which collection, his bride chooses the gift and redeems it and it is delivered for free.
Budget Boyz
The budget conscious groom can try iStorz.com, which not only has a special section for grooms to peruse, their “thing” is that they only promote specials from retailers.
Put it in Writing
Even if your bride isn’t lazy, isn’t suffering from carpal tunnel or tendonitis, a dreamy gift a groom can offer up his bride is a RedPig service that handwrites and sends all of the couple’s post-wedding thank you cards. www. Redpig.com
Here’s the Rub
For relief of wedding stress, and a super-quick gift, there’s Spa Emergency (spaemergency.com), which can give a bride a spa vacation in minutes (the gift certificate can be printed out right when ordered). A generous groom might also give one to her bridesmaids.
Monthly Celebrations
If your bride loves presents, consider the “Give her a Year of Romance” gift from Blue Top Hat, thebluetophat.com. For $250, this choice presents her with a keepsake book and a themed gift each month on the day of the couple’s anniversary; each gift is recorded in the book.
Sleep on It
How about a gift that’s ideal for the bride, but the groom benefits every night. It may not be something you can put in a jewelry box (unless you want to put a little “you’re getting…” note in it. We’re talking about a high-end sleep system. If your bride has always dreamed of a Tempurpedic memory foam bed, now may be the time to gift her with one. There’s also the new Sealy Posturpedic PurEmbrace, made from Smart Latex, and is, say reps, designed to eliminate pressure points that lead to tossing and turning – one of the biggest inhibitors of a good night’s sleep. http://sealy.com
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Bride’s Bracelet
"The Bride's Bracelet" by Start-to-Finish Diamond Link Bracelets are available in two price points based on diamond size: a .07 ct ("Haley") and a .10 ct ("Jessica"). The bracelets range from $1075 to $1525.
Modern Twist
Since many grooms are going to gift jewelry and many brides are going to want it, here’s another idea, Prismera Design, founded in 2006 by New York designer Laura Su, with jewelry made in stainless steel and modern botanical motifs, including The Hopewell necklace ($96), a romantic floral pendant, and The Sedum necklace ($75) with a hanging blossom. http://www.prismeradesign.com.
Perfect Pearl
A classic, heirloom gift is undoubtedly a string of pearls. PearlParadise.com sells pearl jewelry exclusively and up to a third off from other retailers. The owner co-owns a pearl farm in Asia and thus can really negotiate. Prices range from less than $20.00 to $1 million. Bride appropriate choices we like are Freshwater Baroque, $250; Lotus Collections 7.5mm White Akoya Pearl and Diamond Pendant, $278 and the newest in their line, Chocolate Pearls, $495.
Soul-ful Gift
Check out our site (groomsonline.com) and search for the Large What Is In Your Soul Pendant and Chain. We love this. Not only is is only $90, Fill it with charms or select a few charms for an open look. Charms will move inside your pendant giving it a different look each time it is worn. Circular large “Soul” pendant is made of sterling silver with a rhodium finish, about the size of a quarter with a clear front and back and will hold four to six charms, depending on the size. The coordinating sterling silver chains in various lengths – 16, 18 or 20 inches long are sold separately. That makes us particularly happy because we like the option – and the longer chain!
Whatever you end up selecting for your bride, just bear in mind that she loves you, she married you (or is marrying you) and she’ll love whatever thoughtful present you choose.
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