At 32: Gift Ideas for Wedding Congratulations I’d Still Love to Receive or Give (Even After the Honeymoon Phase) – Budget-Friendly Options!

A Wave of Weddings is Finally Settling Down *

Hello, I'm Haruno Tsuzaki, the editor of marry! *

I am currently 32 years old, and it seems that the wave of weddings among my friends has calmed down a bit.

In the past 5 to 6 years, I've been picking out wedding gifts for my friends and receiving wedding gifts myself, but I've recently realized that there is quite a difference between the things I chose back then and the things I would want to give or receive now that I've aged a bit.

(There are things I thought, “I wouldn't choose something like this now,” that I picked back when I was younger....)

In this article, I'll introduce what I believe are "gifts that adults appreciate long-term" based on my own judgment. *

@yuih_wd

Budget 3000 yen

First of all, a budget of 3000 yen is challenging....!

When it comes to consumable gifts like cosmetics, they tend to feel more like "a thank-you gift" or a birthday present, right?

Wedding gifts are often thought of as "things that last," such as interior items or kitchenware, so when considering "practical, non-consumable, good brand, quality items" within a budget of 3000 yen, it feels quite difficult to pinpoint something specific.

However, surprisingly, when I visit department stores, I often find plenty of items I would be happy to receive myself! ♩

For example, *

☑︎ Two 16cm Palace Plates (about 1500 yen each)

☑︎ Sugahara Glasses

Sugahara Glass is a Japanese glass manufacturer. It has a slightly higher price image, but...

You can purchase glasses suitable for water or tea that hold about 300ml for around 2000 yen. Even if you buy a pair, it's under 5000 yen! *

☑︎ Iittala Glasses

These glasses from Iittala are a bit thicker and seem more suited for everyday use. Simple designs (not the "Kastehelmi") can be bought for just over 1000 yen each! *

If it's Kastehelmi, it’s about 2700 yen each.

☑︎ Yumi Ko Ihoshi's Small Plates

This popular tableware brand has a simple yet warm and gentle impression.

Yumi Ko Ihoshi’s items like “Unjour” and “Bon Voyage” are standard, with main plates ranging from 3000 to 5000 yen, but individual or small plates can be purchased in the 1000 yen range! *

☑︎ Initial Handkerchief

A handkerchief with embroidered initials that can be used as a bridal handkerchief on the wedding day. At Barneys New York, it can be purchased for about 2000 yen each. ♡

Budget 5000 yen

☑︎ Chilewich Place Mats

Chilewich's popular gold and silver dahlia place mats. Each mat costs about 2000 yen, so two would be 4000 yen.

By the way, coasters are a bit cheaper, with sets of 4 to 6 for about 3000 yen!

@yuih_wd

☑︎ Arita Ware Small Dish

It feels like everyone stylish has these Arita ware small dishes. A set of five is about 10,000 yen, but you can buy them one by one! (about 2000 yen each)

Arita ware feels luxurious, and the name “Musubi” along with its design is perfect for wedding gifts! ♡

Budget 10,000 yen

☑︎ Cutipol 6-Piece Set

Cutlery items such as forks and spoons are popular from Cutipol. This Portuguese brand has an ergonomic shape that is easy to use and looks stylish! ♩

There are several series, but the "Gore" series is popular in Japan.

You can choose handle colors and opt for silver or gold, which is nice for matching the recipient! ♡

☑︎ Afternoon Tea Experience Gift Ticket

I often give this as a present! It’s an experience ticket for afternoon tea (for two) at places like the Ritz Carlton, Conrad, or Four Seasons.

It's from Soexperience and comes as a card type.

When gifted as a wedding gift, it counts as a present worth 10,000 yen, suggesting "Let’s go for afternoon tea together!" when used as an invitation can mean it’s effectively a 5000 yen gift, making it handy when you want to treat a friend to about that amount.

There aren’t many places that sell it, so purchasing online is convenient.

➡ Purchase the Catalog Gift Here＊

☑︎ Royal Copenhagen Plates

Royal Copenhagen's plates are stunningly beautiful just to look at, but even an initial mug costs around 8000 yen, making it a high hurdle to buy for oneself. These are the types of items that I want to actively choose for celebrations! *

The famous "Blue Fluted" series has cake plates costing about 5000 yen each. With a budget of 10,000 yen, you can gift two plates! ♡ It seems like it could be a lifetime treasure.

☑︎ Two Large and Small Palace Plates (4 total)

If you're looking for something more suitable for everyday use yet stylish than Royal Copenhagen, the Palace Plate set of two large and two small plates is about 10,000 yen, making it a good recommendation! *

With these four plates, you seem equipped for daily life. If I had received these when I was newly married with no dishes, I would have found them truly helpful.... and they'd be durable for a long time.

I want to give items that can be used for life! ♡

The timing when everyone gets married often coincides with being young, while many around them are newlyweds or still single.

When choosing wedding or engagement gifts, we tend to lean towards fashion brand items or casual brands.

Such items might be fine when newlyweds since people are young then, but thinking about items that can be used even after a few years of marriage as tastes settle down,

indeed, items from long-established brands or globally recognized brands feel timeless and provide a sense of reliability, which is different! *

@yuih_wd