Shopping·8 min read

12 Practical Wedding Gifts That'll Make Life After 'I Do' Easier

Personalized cutting board with fruit on it
Design: theSkimm | Image: UncommonGoods
April 12, 2022

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The scenario: You're looking to gift the happy couple something that's a little more original than an envelope full of cash — and a bit more thoughtful than what might be on their registry. But you also want an item that they'll get a lot of use out of and not just throw in the back of their closet after their nuptials. Enter: these practical wedding gifts that are anything but boring. Plus? They'll think of ya every time they use 'em (which will be a lot, promise). And if you're looking for wedding gifts that won't break the bank, we've got you covered there too.

Key chain holder for pup and newlyweds
GratefulHeartandSoul via Etsy

A wedding gift for the newlyweds who bring their pup everywhere…  

They can hang this hook board in their entryway to hold their keys, leashes, and any other essentials they’ll need on their way out the door. It measures 10.5 x 10.5 inches, all of the wood is handpicked, so no two holders are the same, and you can customize the stain and hook and paw-print options. Pro tip: If you want to change the color of the text, just add that in the description box before check out. Paw-some. ($38+, GratefulHeartandSoul via Etsy)

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Sonos speaker in black and white
Sonos

A monster sound system to recreate their first dance... 

Sound has come a long way since the Discman days. This Sonos smart speaker promises clear listening anywhere, anytime. Setup takes minutes, and both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built in. It’s designed with smart speaker capabilities and it’s humidity resistant. Perfect for singing in the shower — or an impromptu dance sesh at their next gathering. ($219, Sonos)

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Charging tray
Courant

A charger that doubles as a tray for treasures… 

What is it about a charging tray that feels so much fancier than just plugging a phone into a charger? This leather tray disguised as decor can charge multiple items at once and looks great on a nightstand. For 10 extra bucks you can even have their initials engraved. And you'll receive 25% off your first purchase with code SKIMM25. ($175, Courant)

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Deep our place pan in white
OurPlace

Cookware that will bring them closer one morning at a time...

This impossibly cool-looking pan comes in nine colors. And can replace eight other pieces of cookware in the kitchen, including a frypan and a steamer, to name a few. Basically it’s more eye-catching and takes up way less room than whatever their current kitchen situation looks like. And it makes everything from omelets to steamed dumplings. Aka a foolproof gift. ($145, Our Place

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Whiskey decanter engraved
Swanky Badger

A personalized wedding gift for the couple who enjoy a stiff drink… 

This one’s a stunner, and perfect for the whiskey-loving newlyweds. It comes with a ton of customization options, like front and back engraving and even adding on two or four glasses. There are seven design options, and you can deliver it in a standard box or a wooden one. It's the gift that keeps on…pouring. ($49.99+, Swanky Badger)

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Touchless pet vacuum
Grommet

The perfect gift for the newlyweds with a house full of pets… 

This pet touchless vacuum is a cross between a robot vac and a standard one. It stays in one place while its infrared sensor picks up the debris left in front of it (but make sure not to vacuum up any liquids or ash). All they have to do is plug it in and sweep dirt and pet hair over to it. It also comes with a particle-removing filter that minimizes allergens and can be hand-washed. The gift of a sparkling-clean home = priceless. ($159, Grommet)

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Breville coffee maker
Breville

A splurge-worthy option for the ones who can’t live without their morning brew… 

It’s an espresso machine that’ll have them whipping up coffee shop–caliber drinks in the comfort of their own kitchen. It comes with tons of functionalities, like the ability to choose from three heat settings and three milk texture settings. The machine also has a hands-free automatic steam wand and a heating system that’ll produce optimal espresso temperature within three seconds — aka a morning latte without the wait. Choose from a classic stainless steel design or eight other colorways. Saying goodbye to their local barista in 3, 2, 1… ($499.95, Breville)

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Wine and Cheese carousel
UncommonGoods

The perfect wedding gift for the couple who love to entertain… 

This wine and cheese carousel is basically a cheeseboard, wine bar, and lazy Susan all in one. It has four indentations big enough to fit a couple thick wedges of cheese and some sliced fruit. There’s a center space for a wine bottle, and six slots for hanging their stemmed wineglasses. For an extra-special touch, add a laser engraved monogram or family name. Cheers to the newlyweds. ($125+, Uncommon Goods

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Personalized cutting board
UncommonGoods

A classic kitchen essential with a personal touch… 

This personalized cutting board is made from maple wood and measures 16 x 12.5 inches. Customize it with up to 12 characters — you can choose from their names separated by a lil’ heart or one family name. It also comes with the option to add on some mineral oil to keep it in tip-top shape. And when it’s not in use, it makes for the perfect kitchen centerpiece. ($169+, Uncommon Goods)

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Wedding keepsake box
UncommonGoods

A place where they can keep all their cherished wedding-day mementos organized… 

So they can relive the big day over and over again. This wedding keepsake box has got plenty of storage for all the mementos they’ll want to keep safe, like dried flowers or special accessories. Its library-style system makes everything easy to find, and helps preserve items, with acid-free drawers, vertical files, and fabric bags with stitched envelopes. Oh, and it comes in a cloth-covered casing that’ll make opening it a memorable occasion every time. ($100, Uncommon Goods)

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Handpainted jewelry dish
ThePaintedaPress via Etsy

And a tiny wedding gift keepsake perfect for their new rings…

They’ll use it every day and be reminded of their special day. The jewelry dish is approximately 3 inches wide and features the newlyweds’ initials and the date of their wedding in gold. You can customize the dish by adding on hand-painted greenery and white florals. The best part? It’s not made of ceramic so it won’t break if it drops. Best wedding gift giver? Check. ($17+, ThePaintedaPress via Etsy)

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picnic backpack
Amazon

The ultimate picnic accessory for the outdoorsy bride and groom… 

This “Mr and Mrs” picnic backpack comes with all the essentials needed for a chill day at the park. The monogrammed bag comes stocked with dishwasher-safe cutlery, glasses, printed napkins, insulated tumblers, and so much more. Gift it with a bottle of their fave wine and all they’ll need to do is pack the snacks. ($85.99, Amazon)

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