Being a wedding guest is exciting. You don’t just get to see two people tie the knot. You also get to celebrate - to dress up, drink up, and hit the dance floor.
Along with doing your best Electric Slide, you also need to score a thoughtful wedding gift and you’re determined to make the couple proud.
You’re not about to settle on silicone spatulas or toss-able hand towels. But then again, you’re not about to exceed your credit either - even if you have your heart set on a pricey wedding gift.
You’re not alone. Big-ticket wedding gifts are out of many guests’ budgets, but you can get around that uncomfortable fact with group gifts.
This article explores the 13 best wedding gift categories, along with enviable gifts in each one.
If you’re late to the game or the gift registry is already picked over, there’s a good chance these categories will inspire you to give a group gift that makes the happy couple even happier.
You’ll also discover the easiest way to collect contributions for group gifts using Braid Money Pools.
So, without further ado, here comes the bride - and the coolest group gift you’ve ever given.
3 reasons to feel fantastic about group gifts
There’s a good reason why group gifts are gaining traction in the burgeoning wedding industry. In fact, here are three reasons why you and your friends should feel fantastic about giving one.
1. Give a gift that matches your joy
No one wants to look like a cheapskate - especially if you’re a big fan of the couple. But when your budget is tight, it’s hard to find a gift that does a good job showcasing your enthusiasm.
With group gifting, you don't have to settle for something you feel sheepish about. People with every budget can pitch in and give a splendid gift they feel proud of.
2. Most couples live on their own before marriage
Whether people live together or separately before marriage, most already have the basic home goods they need.
Therefore, couples may not list lower price point items on their registry; they don’t need them. Instead, many couples prefer fewer, pricier items that they might not buy on their own.
But they don’t expect any single guest to buy them either. Rather, they encourage their guests to go in on a group gift.
3. Collecting contributions is easy with Braid
Going in on a group gift sounds great in theory: everyone pitches in so no one has to break the bank. But without the right tool, it doesn’t always go smoothly.
Usually, one person has to collect all the contributions and purchase a gift before the big day. But there are at least two dilemmas here:
- Keeping track of everyone’s contributions gets confusing when you juggle them with your own budgeting and spending
- You may have to shell out more than your fair share if someone can’t cough up the cash in time
With the right tool, however, it’s easy to collect, manage, and spend everyone’s money. And that tool is none other than Braid Money Pools.
You’ll learn exactly what they are, how to set them up, and how to use them for the perfect group wedding gift here.
Before then, keep reading to see what the 13 best wedding gift categories are, along with fantastic group gifts from each one.
Sign up for the waitlist to start your free Braid Money Pool for your group wedding gift here.
13 best wedding gifts to give as a group
Since many lovebirds start married life with all the home necessities they need, group gifts are a thoughtful way to make their home more exciting and meaningful. Here’s a curation of special gifts that bring joy and delight.
1. High-quality kitchen and cookware
Ideal for natural chefs or cookbook addicts, high-quality kitchen and cookware is a great gift for newlyweds.
Not only are these the kind of gifts people use regularly, but they also come in handy when couples host their first Thanksgiving dinner or summer barbecue.
Ideas:
Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven
Nespresso Gran Lattissima Coffee and Espresso Machine
2. Furniture
Is the couple moving into a new home or renovating their residence? You and your friends might consider giving them a special piece of furniture.
It can elevate indoor and outdoor spaces and give the couple something to enjoy for years to come.
Ideas:
West Elm Mid-century side tables
3. Artwork
When a couple already has everything they need, finding the right gift might feel extra challenging. But look at it this way:
When you don't have to limit yourself to basic home goods, you get to explore one-of-a-kind art pieces that the couple will treasure.
Ideas:
4. Extra special home items
You and your friends might want to give a gift that takes the couple’s home to the next level. What can you afford as a group that the couple would never splurge on themselves?
You know the answer better than anyone else. Here are some ideas to assist your brainstorming session.
Ideas:
Hand Embroidered State Pillows from Uncommon Goods
5. Luggage sets
Although luggage sounds boring on its face, a good-looking, reliable set adds comfort, convenience, and peace of mind to any trip.
Whether you’re buying luggage for seasoned travelers or for people eager for their first passport stamp, here are some classy options to consider.
Ideas:
Mark & Graham Vegan Leather Carry-On Luggage and Weekender Set
Cuyana Triple Zipper Weekender
6. Home appliances
Is the couple planning a home renovation once the wedding day dust settles? Help them improve their living space with a new refrigerator, washer, dryer, or furnace. It’s a thoughtful way to give them something they’ll use every day.
Ideas:
7. Experience gifts
For the couple who has everything and wants nothing, pooling your money for experience gifts is a wonderful way to celebrate their wedding.
There’s so much to choose from: dance lessons, pottery classes, cooking classes, spa services, snorkeling lessons, sailing tours, etc.
Ideas:
Pottery classes
Scuba diving lessons
8. Luxury bedding
We spend 70% of our time sleeping. Why not take something as commonplace as bedding and take it up a notch - or two?
Ideas:
9. Subscription boxes
Similar to experience gifts, subscription boxes are awesome for people who already have everything they need or want. And rather than give them one gift once, monthly subscriptions add joy and delight throughout the entire year.
Ideas:
Piquant Post Subscription
Bloomsy Box subscription
10. Gardening gifts
Whether the couple identifies as a green thumb, gardener, or horticulturist, giving them garden-centric gifts is a winning idea.
And there’s so much to choose from! Whether you score an exquisite ceramic vase or plants to cultivate for years to come, gardening gifts are perfect for botanical enthusiasts.
Powys concrete fountain from Wayfair
Make it easy for people to pitch in with a free Braid Money Pool. Click here to start yours today.
11. “Smart” vacuums
Vacuums might seem droll because vacuuming is boring for most of us. But that’s exactly why a smart vacuum is a great gift for couples sharing a home: it does the boring housework for them.
For the couple who’d rather spend their time doing everything but cleaning, this is a smart gift.
Ideas:
Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum and Mop
12. Outdoor gear
Does the couple like to spend time in the great outdoors? Consider giving them presents that help them face the elements and explore this big, beautiful world.
Ideas:
13. Fitness equipment
Are both spouses workout buddies? Why not give them fitness equipment and support a lifestyle they’re already invested in?
Ideas:
Start a free Braid Money Pool today and buy the perfect group wedding gift
How to set up a Braid Money Pool for group wedding gifts
There are so many fantastic wedding gifts to give as a group. By now, you probably know which kind of gift you want to give. And that means you need an easy way to collect everyone’s contributions. Enter Braid Money Pools.
What is a Braid Money Pool?
Braid Money Pools are a new way to collect, manage, and spend money with friends and family. You can use them for one-off expenses, like big-ticket wedding gifts.
With Braid, you collect everyone’s contributions into one dedicated pool. This pooled money always stays separate from your account.
When it comes time to buy the group wedding gift, you can purchase it directly from the pool using the Braid debit card that comes with it.
3 steps to set up your Braid Pool
You and the other wedding guests will like Braid. It’s easy to set up and easy to use. And once you’re done, you can start collecting everyone’s contributions within minutes.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Customize your Pool Link
We often refer to money as “cold, hard cash” but your Money Pool doesn’t have to feel that way. With Braid, everyone can feel like they’re putting money in a cool place, and you get to make that happen.
As pool admin, name your pool, add a photo, and briefly describe what the pool is for, along with any other relevant information, like contribution suggestions and deadlines.
You also get to personalize your Pool Link so it doesn’t look like a random mix of letters and numbers. It can be something your family and friends easily remember and recognize.
2. Share the Pool Link
The Pool Link is what people use to contribute. So, once your pool is set up, share the Pool Link wherever you and your group communicate most: in text messages, WhatsApp group chats, social media posts, emails, etc.
Once people have your Pool Link, they can contribute with their debit or credit cards. Contributions from bank transfers or debit cards are free. Braid does, however, charge a 3% fee for contributions made with credit cards. The contributor pays this fee.
People don’t need a Braid account to add money to the pool - just the Pool Link.
If you want people to join the pool, however, they can. Just send them a special invitation link. Once they create a Braid account, they can join the pool.
As pool admin, you can set permissions so they can view pool transactions, share the Pool Link, purchase the wedding gift with the Braid card, and more.
3. Buy group wedding gifts with your Braid card
Whether your group gift is a custom-made neon sign, a Smeg refrigerator, or a deluxe waffle maker, buy it directly from your Money Pool with the Braid debit card.
It’s a virtual debit card that allows you to spend pool funds wherever Mastercard is accepted. With zero transaction fees, maintenance fees, and overdraft fees, you can spend 100% of your pooled funds.
You can also track spending, adjust spending permissions and limits, and freeze the card from the app. You never have to call customer service or wait on hold to make these changes. You can do it all from the app.
Group wedding gifts take the cake. They make it possible to give a fabulous gift you’re proud of. They also elevate the newlywed’s life in an extra special way. And the best part? You can do all this without draining your savings.
