How many months of the year do you need to buy a gift? If your family and social circle are like mine, it's all of them. Along with birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries come weddings, bridal showers, and graduations. Luckily, I love choosing gifts, but I know this is not a universal sentiment.
Don't stress—here is some help born of experience. In particular, I've observed that, although at first it may not seem obvious, many appropriate gifts for weddings, showers, housewarmings, and graduations are remarkably similar. They all have something fundamental in common: establishing a new household.
Here are some of my foolproof gift ideas for many occasions:
A beautiful, minimalist nativity set that will become a cherished tradition and fits with any aesthetic. This is my favorite gift for weddings and showers.
Enrollment in one year of masses offered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception gives them something way more impactful than any material gift. Can you imagine any gift greater than the power of prayer?
A photo book gift card or Chatbooks subscription allows them to make physical albums or prints of their adventures, special events, honeymoon, or a new baby. There's something about physical photo books that a smart phone album just can't replicate. Think about throwing in a set of beautiful photo albums they can keep forever (I like these because fingerprints wipe off the leather, plus the pages have space for writing photo notes).
This charming cookbook of monastery soups was first given to me by a French nun (my personal favorite is the Normandy carrot soup—but add some cayenne).
Custom venue art of their wedding church, school, first home, or other significant places (you can also commission me for an original piece)
A beautiful, substantial crucifix: I strongly prefer vintage ones because of the sense of history and the tangible connection with someone else who loved Jesus.
The most versatile French bistro glasses for every kind of beverage: we use these for water, soft drinks, cocktails, wine, everything. They come in tons of sizes, but I recommend a set of the 12.6 oz for water, tea, and soft drinks, and a set of the 5.6 oz for wine, cocktails, and liquor. We also use stacks of these at parties instead of disposable cups.
A stylish, super high-quality French press will be one gift they're still hanging onto 20 years later: it makes excellent coffee, keeps it hot for hours, and is impeccably constructed.
A well-made, roomy bike basket with classic handsome looks (or two for a couple) is one of those unexpected but totally delightful, practical gifts that people love receiving and will actually use.
A set of four fouta-style towels that dry quickly and double as beautiful accessories wherever they're hanging. We use these as beach and pool towels, but they're versatile enough to use as a wrap or a blanket for picnics and concerts.
This rechargeable wine bottle opener is a game changer and looks reasonably attractive on the counter.
Just remember: Always choose something from a registry if one exists. You can add something additional, but the registry represents what your recipient truly wants and needs. We may feel bored gifting a set of potholders or ice cube trays, but the perfect gift is the one they asked for.
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