Engagement gifts from parents of the groom

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When a couple gets engaged, among the first people to hear the happy news are the couple's parents. Later, when the couple begins to plan their engagement party, the parents often offer their congratulations with a gift. Although presents aren't always the norm for an engagement party, the parents can give something practical or sentimental, or might choose to host the engagement party themselves as a form of congratulations.

Gift-Giving Etiquette

A couple that gets engaged shouldn't expect the gifts to come flooding in. Although many people do present the couple with an inexpensive gift, many well-wishers choose to save their gift until the actual wedding. People close to the engaged couple, including the parents, often present a gift to express their best wishes. It's acceptable for the parents of the soon-to-be bride or groom to give the couple a gift soon after learning of the engagement or during the eventual engagement party.

Sentimental Gift Ideas

Many parents choose to present the newly engaged couple with a sentimental gift that has a family connection. For example, a mother could give her daughter a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or pair of earrings, that were presented to her by her own mother upon getting engaged or married. A father might give his son a watch that's been handed down through the family, a ring with the family coat of arms or a piece of jewelry such as a tie pin or cuff links.

Planning and Practical Gifts

The parents of the engaged couple can opt for a gift that helps the couple plan their wedding or a gift the couple can use in their home. For example, the parents may buy the couple a wedding-organizing book or donate their time by taking the couple around to visit prospective reception halls and caterers. If the parents wish to buy the couple something useful, they can opt for a household appliance, such as a new toaster oven, barbecue or even a washer and dryer set.

Hosting the Party

If the engaged couple plans to have a party to celebrate their happy news with family and friends, it's often customary for the parents of the bride to host the affair. In this case, the hosting of the party serves as the gift itself, given that the parents can spend considerable money on food and decorations. The parents of the groom can host the party if the bride's parents decline, or contribute to the bride's parents' party by donating wine and beer or splitting the cost down the middle for the whole event.

Here’s The Skinny On Gifts Mom Will Approve And Children Will Love

Congratulations! Your son or daughter has just agreed to marry the love of their life. Time to celebrate! We know that buying meaningful engagement gifts can be tough, but we’re here to help. No matter your budget, here are some mom-approved things you can gift to celebrate the special couple in your life.

For their relationship: Lasting app

In the bustle of planning for the wedding, wouldn’t it be meaningful to help the couple plan for their marriage? Gift your son or daughter a subscription to Lasting, an app that offers engaging assessments and 5-minute daily coaching sessions that help couples build stronger relationships. There’s even a pairing feature, so both partners can see each other’s progress and work together on the exercises.

For their kitchen: The Newlywed Cookbook

Creative activities like cooking are some of the best ways to keep the spark alive. If the bride and groom are foodies, grab them the The Newlywed Cookbook by Sarah Copeland. Written when the author herself was a newlywed, this book offers more than 130 recipes that will feed and delight couples for both day-to-day meals and special occasions.

For after the big day: HitchSwitch

For the practical couple, gift a service with HitchSwitch, a company that helps you change your name in 3 easy steps–because waiting in lines is sure to kill the honeymoon high. You can choose from a variety of packages, all of which cover a range of services and make the name-change process less stressful. Check out the gift card options here, and give your kids the precious gift of time.

For the holidays: A Custom Ornament or Holiday decoration

The first holiday season as newlyweds is always so special, so make it one to remember by engraving an ornament or other holiday decoration for them that includes the date of their engagement. Everyone remembers their wedding anniversary, but a keepsake to remember their engagement date by will keep that special day top-of-mind as they celebrate the holidays for years to come.

For the memories: A Keepsake Box

As you know, the engagement season flies by, and amid the whirlwind of wedding planning, sweet moments and details can get lost. Give your kids the gift of memories with a keepsake box, where they can keep photographs, invitations, menus, and other sentimental items from this time. We know they’ll love to look through it all as the years go by.

If you’re a mom looking to celebrate your newly engaged kids, check out more of our favorite engagement gift ideas. And if you’re a newly engaged bride, share this article and tag your mom!

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