Weddingbee Blog

I loved Miss Powder Puff’s post on inexpensive wedding gifts, and it got me thinking about other gifts that I’ve loved to receive that weren’t terribly expensive: magazine subscriptions! This year for Christmas, each member of my family is getting a magazine subscription - less pressure than picking out a book, less expensive than clothing they won’t wear anyway, and they’ll get a little gift every month all year long! So, here are my contributions to the list of inexpensive gifts…

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As an engagement gift, give bridal magazines: Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings, Brides… or all three! For $24, you get 6 issues of Brides, 6 issues of Modern Bride, AND 4 issues of Elegant Bride. Throw in the other two ($16 for four issues of Martha Stewart, $5.99 per issue for In Style Weddings) and you’re still under 50 bucks. This would also make a fabulous holiday gift for an engaged friend.

As a wedding gift, how about nesting or shelter magazines: Domino, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living or Food. Domino is only $10 for ten issues!! Real Simple has two subscriptions for the $24 price of one (send one to yourself)! Martha Stewart Living and Food are $24 and $12, respectively.

And, as someone who likes to cook but loves to eat, I can’t leave out the food magazines: Food & Wine…$20 for 12 issues, Gourmet… $12 for 12 issues, or Cook’s Illustrated… $25 for 6 issues. I love all three (in fact, am drooling now from going to the websites), and I’ll mention that while CI seems expensive, it’s the most detailed of the bunch, with very easy to follow how-tos. You can throw in a second subscription for the non-cook of the couple, or consider it a joint gift (while I may be cooking, Mr. Cheese is certainly benefiting from the results!).

Or, for the couple: Money magazine… $15 for a year. While there are quite a few financial magazines out there, this one consistently offers great topics for couples to discuss.

I’d buy the current issue of the magazine, include a card noting the gift subscription (and a list of my favorite relevant links… like Weddingbee!) and wrap it up with something useful - a mixing bowl or recipe box with the food mags, a throw or pillow with the shelter mags, or a pretty file folder (to hold clippings and inspiration photos) with the bridal mags. Or, you could go simple: just the current magazine and a card.

{If you’re related to me and reading, consider this a hint!}

Do you give or receive magazines as gifts? Do you have any other ideas for inexpensive and thoughtful wedding (or holiday) gifts? Share with the hive!