What is it about weddings and toast? When the last thing you need is a toaster, or a toast rack, what do you do about wedding gifts?

It’s an increasingly common story. Back in the day, when nobody would dream of living together, when you married someone you didn’t have toasters or dining sets, cutlery or pans. These days we move in with each other at the drop of a hat, as a precursor to marriage or just for the sake of it, and we have all the household goods we need well before we marry.

It leaves the wedding gift tradition in a difficult place. What do your guests buy you? The wedding gift list is one way to help your family and friends identify a gift you actually need and want. But not all couples like the thought of presenting their loved ones with a list of stuff from a high street store, even John Lewis or Harrods. It can seem a bit heartless and impersonal. So what are the alternatives?

Here’s our list of 20 alternative wedding gift ideas.

20 alternative wedding gifts

  1. A donation to a charity or good cause you really care about
  2. Everyone brings a bunch of flowers and you absolutely smother your venue with them to create a heavenly bower
  3. For the couple with everything… how about buying them ‘experiences’ instead of stuff
  4. Everyone contributes a set amount towards the honeymoon. When you make it a set amount that’s affordable for everyone, you save embarrassment
  5. Plants for your new garden – if everyone buys you a plant, all you do is plant them out for a beautiful, ready-made garden
  6. Your entire music collection is on CD. Vinyl is the new rock and roll. Can your guests replace your CD collection with cool vinyl, one album each?
  7. A voucher to learn something new – something you can learn together
  8. Visit your local art gallery. Is there a painting or sculpture you adore? Can your guests each contribute towards it?
  9. A bottle of vintage wine often goes down really well, and it gets better with age
  10. How about membership of an online chocolate or wine club? A gift that lasts and lasts, with new treats every month
  11. Do the happy couple love travelling? How about a gorgeous coffee table picture book of somewhere they’ve been and loved, or a place they’d love to go to?
  12. A voucher for a photo session to take at your leisure
  13. Head for Etsy, where they have all sorts of wonderful ideas for a unique wedding gift. The same goes for the notonthehighstreet online store
  14. If you’re creative, make something for the couple: a painting or drawing, a carving, a bottle garden…
  15. Entertainment stuff for socialkble couples and party monsters – how about an aerating wine glass set, a fondue set, or beautiful Himalayan salt tequila glasses, a posh decanter, use your imagination
  16. Classy stuff for the house – say no to toasters and toast racks, yes to a gorgeous chunky knit or faux fur throw for a settee
  17. Spa treatment vouchers for the bride and groom, that they can enjoy any time
  18. Tickets for a theatre show, gig, musical, magic show, panto, play or concert
  19. Membership to the National trust, so the couple can use NT car parks for free all over the country and visit some of the nation’s most stunning stately homes and gardens – so romantic!
  20. A bit of fun if you’re broke – a specially personalised newspaper to mark the big day, or a framed photo of the couple and all their friends enjoying a special occasion – great memories make great gifts

What about your best wedding gift idea? We’d love to know what creative ideas you’ve come up with. Feel free to leave a comment!