’Tis the season for engagements!
I don’t know about you all, but it feels like more than half the couples I know were engaged between Christmas and Valentine’s Day (is there a stat out there about this, Penguin?). The TV commercials and jewelry stores definitely encourage the behavior, that’s for sure.
Anyhow, with all these engagements come great opportunities to shower a new bride (and groom) with love and attention (and presents)! I thought the timing might be right now to share some of the Turkey favorites for engagement gifts. This is a combination of both gifts given and received.
1. Planning Gifts
As a new bride, you’re basically a sponge trying to absorb as many ideas as possible. Blogs, Pinterest, magazines, TLC…you name it. I found some of my most helpful gift to be in the planning realm.
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| A gift for a recently engaged friend—some bridal magazines + subscriptions for 1 year
I had 2 friends gift me magazine subscriptions when I was engaged—love the fun mail! |
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| I recently gave this to a fellow list-loving friend and its received RAVE reviews
You can find the book here |
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| This was a gift to me from Brother Turkey – HIGHLY recommend (if you want to keep your mind).
Book can be found here |
2. Personalized & Commemorative Gifts
This is where Etsy comes in handy. Here were some of my original finds, but below is my most recent purchase for a friend (especially perfect for those engaged around the holidays).
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| Engagement ornament
Etsy seller sunshine ceramics |
And who doesn’t want a place to display a photo of the big day?
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| Pottery Barn has silver-plated frames that can be personalized |
Besides commemoration of your engagement, it’s also fun to begin embracing a new monogram, if you’re going that route. There are 100s of ideas in this category—towels, glassware, knickknacks, etc.
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| We received these (nice and heavy) coasters for our engagement
Can be found here |
3. Experience Gifts
It seems as though, after the wedding, one of the things couples complain about is the lack of time reserved for “them” during the planning process (more on this topic another time). After hearing this for the 100th time, Mr. Turkey and I decided it might be fun to give an “activity” as an engagement gift.
One of our favorites? A wine class. Because, hey, what’s better than a night out together than a night out together…with wine?
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| In Philadelphia, we can vouch for positive reviews of Tria and Philadelphia Wine School |
One of the couples loved their engagement gift so much, they actually gave the same gift to their parents after the wedding. Success!
If you’re not into wine, one of our personal favorite gifts came from the same couple mentioned above. It was a cooking class – wine optional. We really enjoyed this night out (and learned that Mr. Turkey CAN cook…if he tries).
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| Totally posed photo at La Cucina @ Reading Terminal Market |
So brides, tell me, what have been your favorite engagement gifts to give…or to receive?
Lol, I love the amount of gifts you got. Is not a thing in my culture to gift the engaged couple, but a bridal show made sure I recieved a stack of over 10 bridal magazines, total waste of paper for someone who doesn’t like those.
I got a ton of wedding magazines once we got engaged. Although to be honest, they were mainly from girls who had just gotten married, and used it as a way to get rid of all their wedding stuff.
I’ve actually never heard of “engagement gifts” before!
I love giving engagement gifts, I think I just get so excited! I like to give out Mindy Weiss’ “The Wedding Book”, it’s full of so much great stuff and bridal magazines, after I’ve peaked at them 
You give the best gifts! I have never heard of “engagement” gifts before either, although we did get a lot of cards.
We got what turned out be be our cake topper although it wasn’t intended that way when given. A good book to give to friend’s getting engaged would be Meg Keene’s book “A Practical wedding”.
I have The Knot book. It’s been really helpful. And I love that ornament.
Hmm my favorite is probably split between a restaurant giftcard to a nice steakhouse and John Rocha Waterford toasting flutes. They are gorgeous, can’t wait to use them!
I’ve never heard of giving engagement gifts either… I guess it’s just not a tradition here. I did receive a ton of old magazines from my recently married friends though! It’s funny, in my areas EVERYONE has a stag and doe (a huge, laid back party where you have games, gambling, alcohol and prizes to make some money for the couple).
They’re even listed in the local paper so anyone in the town can go and many people buy tickets even if they can’t go just to give support, and yet I’ve seen so many negative comments about how horrible people think they are (people who aren’t from where it’s normal of course). It’s just the norm here, but if I had an engagement party people would think I was rude to ask for presents when I’m already having a shower and a wedding! It just goes to show that it’s all about what’s normal and tradition for a culture or region 
There are so many great ideas here Turkey!! My MOH bought us a custom engagement ornament… It’s one of my favorite things ever!
I love the engagement ornament. It kind of makes me wish I had gotten engaged in the winter rather than the summer!
@Coffee cup: A lot of these were actually gifts given! As for bridal mags, 10 is A LOT.
@Miss Ariel: haha – I never thought of that!
@Blondetourage: I don’t know how traditional they are, but Mr. Turkey and I have given them to a lot of our friends and family over the years.
@Mrs. Pony: “The Wedding Book” is a fabulous gift.
@Miss Mole: Thanks! It seems from all the comments that the “tradition” must not be everywhere.
@kayakgirl73: That’s fantastic! I have actually given “A Practical Wedding” before as well.
@Miss Hawk: They’re very fun – highly recommend.
@Future Army Wife: My friend is loving it so far – haven’t actually read it myself!
@CarolineM: both are fabulous gifts!
@zippitydoodah: Wow – the stag and doe sounds like SO much fun! Never heard of that before.
To clarify, no one has ever “requested” engagement gifts from us…they were usually something we gave to show the couple how excited we were for them!
@Miss Coyote: Thanks! I hope you had your ornament displayed this holiday season!
@szaerpoor: You should still be able to get a fun ornament, despite being engaged in the summer.
Oh I gathered that! I was just pointing it out that it’s funny that there’s all this negativity towards stag and does, but no one bats an eye to engagement parties or engagement presents… but it’s all just what’s normal in each location Even our parents didn’t give an engagement present, it’s just not done here. Oh and stag and doe’s ARE super fun!
@kayakgirl73: I was totally reading through the comments to make sure this book got a mention!!! I just got engaged after the new year, but had already been reading the blog for a while to help myself deal with being in the “pre-engaged state.” APW FTW!!!!
Mrs. Turkey, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 29, Brand Management Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Consultant Engagement Date: February 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: The Rittenhouse Hotel About Me: I'm a marketer who loves a good glass of wine, anything pumpkin-flavored, every crime drama on TV and, of course, Mr. Turkey. It's funny to say out loud, but we're former coworkers turned betrothed---now planning a wedding in the city of Brotherly Love. For three years, we've been eating our way through Philadelphia, playing tourist at home, and cheering for every sports team in the 215. Although we've hit some unplanned snags along the way, we're determined to have a rocking party this spring with our loud, fun families and friends.
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