When invited to weddings, the two most common questions that instantly come up are: what do I wear and what do I give? But with most events held online nowadays, guests no longer fuss over their outfits as much. Finding the right gift remains to be a dilemma though.

 

Picking a wedding present shouldn’t be much of a burden. More than anything, it’s your presence that matters. All the couple wants is to share their joy with you, not to cause you problems. Of course you know that, still you would like to commemorate the special occasion with an appropriate token.  We totally understand. 

 

As you rack your brains for ideas, allow us to guide you with these questions.

 

 

How much can you afford? 

 

The first thing you need to determine is your budget. Forget the rules about how close you are or spending based on the estimated cost of the reception meal. Bottomline is, how much money are you willing to spend? 

 

Start with something small. The Smeg kettle is a very practical gift. It can boil 500 ml of water in 1.5 minutes so it’s very convenient for quick drinks and instant meals. Its Italian heritage and distinctive 50s design make it very impressive. Depending on the color you choose, its charm can go from cute to sophisticated. If the newlyweds receive ten other kettles, you can bet it’s the Smeg kettle they will keep.

 

If you prefer a bigger item or if there’s something in particular that you want to get but is beyond your means, you can split the expense with a few others and give it as a group gift. 

 

 

What is something they can use? 

 

To have your gift gathering dust is a sad thought. Obviously, you’d like to get something that the couple can use, preferably very often. Profile their personalities - what’s the couple like? Try to imagine what their daily routine will be. If you’re not too close to them, it won’t hurt to scroll through their social media accounts. For sure, their posts will reveal their lifestyle. Are they techies? Do they have pets? Do they like to cook? Are they fitness buffs or health-conscious? 

 

The Smeg citrus juicer can help them spend more time together in health than in sickness by effortlessly providing much-needed nutrition from freshly-squeezed oranges, lemons, or grapefruit. Its motor turns on and off as you hold down the fruit half, and the extracted juice flows through the juice collector and non-drip stainless steel spout, straight to the glass. No sweat!

 

 

Similarly, the Smeg blender is a useful tool to concoct healthy drinks. It is equipped with a powerful motor that can breakdown even tough and fibrous ingredients. Its four-speed settings allows control over the consistency of the preparation. Aside from its regular 1.5-liter BPA-free Tritan jug, it can be fitted with an innovative Bottle to Go accessory. This handy 600-ml container has a dedicated blade unit which makes it possible to blend directly inside the bottle. Once done, all you need to do is just remove the blades, cap the bottle, and you’re good to go. 

 

 

Where is home sweet home?  

 

It is important to know where the couple intends to settle after the wedding. If they’re migrating to another country or moving to a faraway city then bulky items are a no-go.  If they won’t be staying in their own home yet and will be living with extended family, consider giving them things that can be used by more than two people. The Smeg drip filter coffee machine and its versatile capacity comes to mind. It has settings from four cups to ten and it’s very easy to use. With only four buttons, anybody can figure out how to operate it.  

 

While the motif of their home would be a nice detail to know, it’s not really an issue if you’re getting a Smeg small appliance because its retro style fits into any theme. The pieces look classy and make a statement no matter the design genre.  

 

 

What does the couple want? 

 

If you really can’t make up your mind on what to get the couple, just pop the question! Skip the guessing game and directly ask what they want. But don’t send them a completely open-ended query that might put all of you in an awkward predicament. Provide them with options. Maybe two or three items that you are choosing from. For example, if they’re coffee aficionados and you’re thinking they might want to take their beverage game up a notch, you can ask, “I’m shopping for your gift, would a Smeg milk frother or a Smeg coffee grinder be something you’d be interested to have?”. Then you can add, “or do you have something else in mind that I can get for you?”. This way, you’ve established the type of gift that you’re considering for them and you’ve given them an idea how much you are willing to spend. So if there’s something else they want, they would know the limits of your pocket.  

 

After you’ve made your purchase, don’t forget to devote effort into writing the message on the gift card. A thoughtful or funny note can make your present priceless. If you buy from Smeg, we can take care of the card and gift wrapping for you. Delivery can be arranged as well.

 

Shop for wedding gifts at the Smeg Experience Center at Park Terraces in Makati or Design Center in Mandaue. Or online at www.smegphilippines.com, Lazada, BeautyMNL, and Abenson. For inquiries, message the Smeg concierge at sales@smegphilippines.com or @smegphilippines on Instagram and @smegph on Facebook.