Wedding Party Gift Guide

Dear H,

My wedding is coming up in July and I have almost everything prepared.  The one detail I am stuck on is what to get our bridesmaids and groomsmen.  We have a small wedding party- all of whom are family members.  Therefore, I am definitely willing to splurge on these gifts.  I received a beautiful home made box filled with goodies from my sister when I was in her wedding that obviously took her a long time to make.  It has been a wonderful keepsake- I feel I have big bridal shoes to fill.  I want the gifts to be personalized but I am hesitant to take on a large project. My time is very limited, since I have already spent most of it brainstorming ideas, only to come up with the cliche monogrammed jewelry boxes and cuff links.  What gifts would be very unique and thoughtful?

Yours in York

 

York,

First: congratulations!  Both for your upcoming nuptials and also for seemingly handling all of the wedding details, big and small, with so much thought.  It is rare to find a bride who is not scrambling for a last minute gift for the wedding party. 

I’ve got several ideas for thoughtful gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen that don’t require you to be crafty and involve minimal monogramming.  I’ve included three options below—one that is traditional and two that are a bit more fun!

Traditional Bridesmaid/Groomsmen Gifts:  Vintage Scarves, Ties, or Pocket Squares

Vintage gifts are great because they can be as unique and customized as you'd like them to be.  You can get scarves and ties or pocket squares for all of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, but also customize the pattern or colors of each to fit each person’s personality.  If you have time to scour vintage clothing stores or consignment shops, you’ll have better control over the selection and quality.  Otherwise, there are plenty of online options:  eBay, Goodwill, and even The Vintage Scarf!  

Fun Bridesmaid Gift:  Forget-Me-Not Rings

This is a fun twist on an old wives’ tale (or a young wife’s tale, in your case!):  give your ladies this ring as a way for them to always remember your special day and their role in it.  These whimsical knot rings come in gold, silver, and even red:

Forget-Me-Not Rings, UncommonGoods.com, $48-198

Fun Groomsman Gift:  Monogrammed Steak Brand

If your fiance’s groomsmen are real “guy’s guys,” a personalized branding iron is a great gift.  Men don’t want keepsakes and trinkets; they want almost-useless-but-strangely-awesome gadgets, and this definitely qualifies in the latter category.  While it is by no means an essential grill tool, every man would would welcome the ability to show off a perfectly grilled steak branded with his initials.  This set from Williams-Sonoma also comes with a “branded” carving board—perhaps the most manly form of monogramming I’ve seen.

Williams-Sonoma Monogrammed Steak Brand and Carving Board, $69.95

If you want to up the ante a bit, throw in some meat with the gift as well—it may not last forever but it will always be remembered (“Dude, my buddy gave me steak for being a groomsman!”)  With the growing trend of local and sustainable food, you should be able to find local suppliers that can make home deliveries to the guys;  otherwise, Omaha Steaks is a decent option.

Hopefully your wedding party will enjoy your big day and their mementos by which to remember it!

Cheers,

H*

 Readers, what is the best or worst gift you've been given for being in a wedding? Leave a comment.

Salute to Sangria

Dear H,

Flag Day is fast approaching and I'm already gathering enthusiasm for Independence Day.  I've spent years trying to perfect the vodka watermelon and once cleverly tried to layer red, white, and blue alcohol infused Jello into a mold; both of these things caused much mess and disappointment (though my brother and his college friends were suitably impressed). 

I had thought about a big pitcher of Pimm's lemonade, but a British drink will never do for the Fourth of July.  Do you have any suggestions for a properly American beverage that appeals to a more adult crowd this summer? 

Cheers!

Allegiance to Alcohol        

 

Allegiance,

If you want a properly American beverage, providing a variety of craft beers would make for a fun July 4^th.  However, it seems you are looking for something sweeter, and I’ve got an idea that may not be purely American, but will be just as patriotic.

Sangria is a great summer beverage to serve a crowd, and although the drink originated in Spain, the Spanish-American War wasn’t until over a century after the first Independence Day, so you’re in the clear.  

Here are three recipes for a red, white, and even a blue! sangria:

 

Red Sangria:

(I love that this one incorporates green apples for tartness and some color)

3/4 cup simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water

2 bottles red wine

3/4 cup brandy

1/2 cup triple sec

3/4 cup orange juice

2 oranges, sliced into thin round

2 green apples, cored and sliced thin

2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds

Boil water + pour over sugar to dissolve. Cool. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice.

Credit:  Bobby Flay

 

White Sangria

(I like my white sangria full of the sweetness of peaches, like a bellini)

1 Bottle of white wine  (H says a “big” bottle, 1.5 L)

1/2 cup Peach Schnapps

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer your Sangria)

2 sliced peaches (frozen peach slices work well)

1 sliced orange

1/2 mango peeled and sliced

1/2 liter of ginger ale

Pour wine and Schnapps in the pitcher and add sliced peach, orange, and mango. Next add sugar and stir gently. Chill mixture for at least one hour. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.

Credit: About.com

 

Blue Sangria

(There are plenty of recipes that call for blue curacao as the pigment, but I came up with this recipe that uses natural ingredients.  It will produce more of a purple color, so if you are dying for a bright blue tint, sub in the curacao for  the blueberry vodka)

To make Blueberry/Blackberry Simple Syrup:  Warm 1 cup of sugar, 2 cups of water, and a ¼ cup each of blueberries and blackberries  over medium-high heat, until sugar dissolves, about 5-6 minutes.

1 Cup Blueberry/Blackberry Simple Syrup

2 Bottles of white wine or a light-bodied red wine (such as a pinot noir)

1 Cup blueberry vodka

1 package blueberries

1 Package Blackberries

Juice of  2 lemons

1 lemon, sliced

Seltzer to taste

Muddle half of the package of blueberries and half of the Blackberries in the bottom of a pitcher with a wooden spoon.  Pour in the simple syrup, wine, vodka, and lemon juice and stir to mix.  If it is too sweet, add seltzer to taste. Chill mixture for at least one hour.  Garnish each glass of sangria with some of the berries and lemon slices.

 

Doing a dry run on Flag Day will ensure you'll perfect them in time for a great 4^th!

 

Cheers,

H*

 Readers, anyone have a favorite sangria recipe, or a favorite patriotic beverage? Leave a comment.

*Ask A Question Now*

Email ask.h.blog@gmail.com