You have so many people to thank for being an important part of your day, and they deserve something more than just one of your wedding favors. Especially if your parents have paid for the wedding, or have devoted their time, energy, contacts, ideas and skills (by crafting or cooking or hooking you up with their great contacts for a friendly discount) to help you get more wedding for less money, it’s a must to show them your appreciation with a great gift. In addition to the work they did for your wedding, you’re thanking them now for everything they’ve done for you in your lifetime.

How can a gift capture all of that? By making sure the gift you choose has plenty of meaning, a tie-in to your relationship and family history, is indulgent, and spoils them just a bit. We’ve come a long way from the traditional gift of a photo in a frame or a photo album. Those are a given. Every parent gets those as a Must. Your thank you gift to your parents, and step-parents, is a sentimental gesture all in itself. So make room in your budget.

This is not an area where I’ll encourage you to cut your expenses way down low. A Magic 8 Ball or a baggie of chocolate dipped Oreos is not going to cut it in this section. Prepare to spend more to give this important gesture its due. Some couples wisely scale down other areas of their wedding budget so that they can give better gifts to their families. They’re worth it!
 

Big Ticket Items:

•A weekend getaway at an all-inclusive resort, with rented luxury car
•A gift certificate for a lovely, romantic dinner out at a five-star restaurant, taken there by limousine
•Tickets to a concert, play or special event
•Tickets to a sporting event they’ll love (such as the U.S. Open)
•A weekend at a spa or bed and breakfast
•Monogrammed robes in 100% Egyptian cotton, with matching slippers and a pampering basket
•A fine bottle of wine or champagne
•A gourmet gift basket, with champagne, truffles, snacks, and other goodies
•An extravagant floral arrangement, or several dozen roses
•An item for their home that they’ve been wanting, such as a big-screen TV or a new patio set
•A Wedding Vow Renewal Celebration, paid for by you and planned by them (It’s their turn to share in the fun, so get them a copy of my book Renewing Your Wedding Vows for ideas and planning smarts.)
•What not to give them? Any portion of their wedding money back. It’s a thoughtful gesture with good intentions, but some parents do get offended. So if you have the cash, spend it on something great for them.

Lower Budget

•Floral arrangement or a dozen roses with a beautiful note from you
•A photo album filled with family pictures throughout the years, culminating in your wedding photos, with a note from you
•A gift card to their favorite restaurant
•Tickets to a concert or sporting event (the cheaper seats still give a great view!)
•A spa day for Mom and a round of golf for Dad
•A great bottle of wine or champagne – check www.winespectator.com for ratings and great budget choices
•A tree seedling to plant in their garden
•An edited video of footage of them throughout the years (You can make this on your home computer, or bring it to a video editor friend)
•A beautiful piece of jewelry or a mother’s ring bought during a jewelry store’s holiday sales
•Gift certificate to a great brunch
•A piece of artwork for their home
•An addition to their existing collection, such as collector’s plates, sailboats, angels, etc.
•A coffee table book featuring a location, artist or theme that’s important to your family or personal relationship with your parents
•And of course, a lengthy ‘love letter’ that you’ll write to your parents, thanking them for their years of support and encouragement, mentioning favorite family moments, the lessons they taught you, what you appreciate about them, and more. That will thrill them.