Food has a unique way of connecting people. It brings together families and friends, joins people in reminiscing or in experimenting, and is the center of celebrations, memories and friendships. With this year’s wedding season approaching, more nuptial presents will include desserts, entrees and specialty foods than ever before.

Food gifting, for both weddings and in general, is one of the few areas that has increased despite the down economy over the last few years. Edible gift sales rose nearly 10 percent in the United States from 2007 to 2009, according to the report “Food Gifting in the United States, Second Edition,” and experts say those numbers continue to grow.

This rise is marked by both an increased demand for specialty foods, like truffles, gourmet marshmallows or artisan granola, as well as the rise in smaller food companies adding ecommerce capabilities to their websites. With these boutique delicacies on the web, gift shoppers not only have convenient access to foods from across the country, they can also easily send these tasty treats directly to the recipient’s door.

More than anything, food offers a unique way to personalize gifts – after all, it’s easy to warm the heart when you fill the stomach!

When shopping for a bride and groom, food is a perfect addition to an item off their registry. Buying an oversized pot? Complete a date-night package with fresh lobsters straight from Maine. Getting the dessert trays she asked for? Add a selection of oatmeal cookies and sweet candies. Can’t make it to the shower? Send a bouquet of cake pops for the bride and guests to enjoy.

The bride herself has a number of gifts to buy as the big day approaches. With online food vendors she can now find gifts for the wedding party, typically made up of people from all different stages of the couple’s life, with a personalized touch.  You can buy ice cream for your sister from your favorite shop in the town you grew up in. For your college roommate, the soup you had on your spring break ski trip.  And for the parents of the couple, share your wedded bliss with a romantic evening of their own complete with steaks, all the fixings and a bottle of wine.

As wedding season approaches once again, be prepared with a food gift whether you’re at the altar or catching the bouquet.

About the author: Lynn Steinberg started Goodies For Gifts as a food review blog. As it built in popularity and realizing people were increasingly looking for food to give as presents, she expanded it into an online resource. Today, Goodies For Gifts is the first and only website providing consumers a free resource to find, buy and share unique, edible “goodies” to give as gifts. Visit it now at www.goodiesforgifts.com.

Anderson Woodcrafts offers custom wooden jigsaw puzzles.  The puzzle can be deconstructed and signed on the back of the pieces for a unique wedding guestbook.  The puzzles are made with defect free 1/4″ plywood.  You choose what picture is affixed to the puzzle utilizing glue with a vacuum press.  Finally, each puzzle is treated for protection.

The wooden jigsaw puzzles are offered for guests from 50 to 200.  Wedding couples can also purchase a wooden storage box to display the puzzle after the wedding.  The average piece size is 3 to 4 square inches.  50 guest can be supported with a 11×14 puzzle.  However, larger weddings can be supported with a 24×24 puzzle for up to 200 guests.

For more information about the wooden jigsaw puzzles, please visit Andersonwoodcrafts.com.

We found a unique product that we thought we would share with everyone.  We are not paid for this article and we will not profit from it.  However, we definitely like to promote small businesses that create hand-made products for weddings.

While planning and preparing for a wedding, every couple wants to make it perfect and one of the most memorable days of their life. They not only want to look their best on the most important day of their life, but also want their family, friends and other guests to enjoy the entire wedding to the fullest. However, in order to make the wedding ceremony a grand success, the effort put in by the bride and groom alone, is not sufficient. They also need a lot of help and involvement from their close friends and relatives.

Among the different people involved in making the arrangements for the wedding, the groomsmen and bridesmaids chosen by the bride and the groom themselves, have a very special and important role to play. At the same time, it is the responsibility of the bride and groom, to acknowledge their efforts and thank them for the same. One of the best ways to appreciate the groomsmen and bridesmaids for their efforts and thank them is to gift them something, which they will treasure for a lifetime.

While the brides are very keen in selecting the best and most suitable gifts for the bridesmaids, the grooms most of the time are confused, as they are not aware what would delight the groomsmen. If you too have been looking for gift ideas for your groomsmen, this article will provide you with some ideal gift ideas.

While shopping for the groomsmen gift, you always need to remember that it is not a ritual, but a way to show your gratitude towards them for all the effort that they have put in to make your wedding day a success. Therefore the gifts that you pick up must be such that these are cherished by your friends for the next many years to come. At the same time you need to remember that your groomsmen might not have a common taste. Therefore, you need to choose the gifts according to their personality and likes and dislikes.

Before visiting the stores looking for the most suitable gifts for your groomsmen, it will always be wise to estimate your budget and then look for gifts within your budget. This way, you can make your friends happy, without making a hole in your pocket. Also, you should remember that the worth of the gift that you give them will not be estimated from the price you pay for it, but from the feelings attached to it. Therefore, to gift something that will be cherished, doesn’t mean that you need to overspend.

When you visit the stores you will find that, right from decorative items to useful products, there are numerous things that you can buy for your groomsmen. Some of the most popular items that make groomsmen gifts include cufflinks, sports bags, pocket watches, money clips, travel bags, perfumes, shaving kits, cigar accessories, and lots more. The best thing is that you can also get these personalized.

Therefore, choose the perfect gift for your groomsmen within your budget, and tell them how much you appreciate all that they have done for you.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding gifts for today’s weddings.

Bridesmaids play a very important role throughout the wedding. Right from counseling the bride, helping with all the preparations and wedding planning, to providing emotional support to the bride, the role of bridesmaids can never be ignored. To appreciate their presence and effort to make the wedding successful and a memorable event, nothing can be better than gifting them something that they will treasure and remember lifelong. This article will provide you with some great ideas for bridesmaid gift.

When you check out the shops or online stores, you will find that there are numerous bridesmaid gifts available in the market. Some are fun gifts, while there are others which are practical and useful. While selecting gifts for your bridesmaids, there is only one thing that you must remember. Your bridesmaids should love the gifts that you have chosen for them and at the same time, the gifts should reflect the relationship and the strong bonds that you have shared for all this time.

Bridesmaids are the dearest friends of the bride, who have stood by her through thick and thin, provided a shoulder to cry and also made her laugh numerous times. Therefore while selecting gifts for them, the bride needs to be very selective, because it is one of the best ways through which she can reciprocate the feelings and express them what they mean to her.

The traditional bridesmaid gifts are usually something which can be used in the wedding ceremony itself. The most common bridesmaid gifts include fashion jewelry or purses, which complement the bridesmaid dresses. If you too are planning to buy some nice jewelry for your bridesmaids, you should select something according to their personality, and not only according to the color and design of the bridesmaid dresses. Instead of buying a single ring or a bracelet, it will be better if you buy a complete set of necklace, earring and bracelets for your bridesmaids and make them feel special. However, if your bridesmaids don’t like to wear too much jewelry, then you can go for some nice and fashionable bracelet, anklet or ring.

Nowadays the handmade jewelries are very much in. If you are creative and have sufficient time in your hands, you can design and make some beaded jewelry for your bridesmaids yourself. It will be definitely more valuable for them, then any fashion jewelry. You can always take the help of the internet or handmade jewelry catalogues for design ideas.

If you want to gift something unique and new, you can gift your bridesmaids a complete makeup kit, so that they can get ready in your wedding and also in the future. If your bridesmaids are more into books and music, then you can gift them books written by their favorite authors or a nice music album. Another unique bridesmaid gift idea is to gift them a gift coupon of a spa or massage center, where they can go, relax and get themselves pampered after the hectic wedding schedule.

No matter what you choose, your bridesmaids should cherish and remember your gift for a lifetime.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding reception songs for today’s weddings.

Your wedding day will be all about “happily ever after.” But how did you get to that point? There are joyful and significant moments you may want to share with your wedding guests, the special times that led to “I Do.”

Preserving your courtship story can revitalize the magic and memories of those special times. You and your groom will bond more as you crystallize the reasons you fell in love by creating a story booklet or video to share with your guests.

Your story is the beginnings of your family history. It will be read or watched by you and your children generations from now.

Many wedding guests want to know how you met and got engaged. I remember wishing that I had a handout at my wedding for everyone who asked us about the strange new way we had met — on the Internet. We were pioneers in the mid 1990s.

Most important, two families will get to know each other through the story of how you came together. One family knows the groom, the other knows the bride. By learning your story, they will know “us.”

Here are some ways to preserve your love story to share with family and friends.

Have your videographer produce a seven to 15 minute love story to be projected on a large screen at the reception. You and your groom are interviewed separately in a place of your choice. It might be where you met. The video can be edited so you alternate telling your story in a running dialogue. The videographer often incorporates music and a montage of photos going back to your childhood.

A professional writer or journalist can write your love story by interviewing you separately. The text of the story can be printed in a ceremony program or designed with engagement photos and snapshots in a magazine style booklet. Guests will be surprised and delighted when they discover this unusual keepsake at their table.

Try writing your own story. One approach is to alternate passages so both of you tell the story. You can signify who is speaking like this: John: Mary: or just make you’re your transitions clarify who is speaking. Carefully edit your story and keep it family friendly. Show it to at least one or two people in your family before putting it in print.

Another option for sharing your story is to have your DJ interview you live during the reception. Make sure the DJ is well familiar with your story.

The story should focus on what interests guests the most – the first meeting and the engagement. In between, stick with significant events in your courtship that moved you closer. Keep that part shorter so guests can get to the juicy part – the proposal.

Another approach is to have a wall of framed photos of you and your groom from childhood to the present. Showcase your engagement portraits on the wall as well.

Lastly, you can have a friend or professional artist draw cartoon sketches of your courtship. They can be printed in a program or other keepsake for the guests.

Or, if you have the time at your wedding, don’t hesitate to talk up your story to anyone who pops the questions.

About the Author: Ellen Braunstein is writer and creative director of Courtship Stories www.courtship-stories.com. She writes the magazine style stories of how couples met and got engaged for their wedding guests. They are professionally designed and printed in 12 to 16 page booklets.

Don’t Forget the Guys: Groomsmen Gift Ideas

Bridesmaids get showered with fun little gifts to thank them for their participation, so why not the guys? Your groomsmen are your right hand men during all of the festivities, and it’s only fair to give them a little something thanking them for their help as well!

The gifts for your groomsmen need to be a little more durable though – and useful to boot. There’s nothing frilly here, monogramming is certainly not necessary, and gift wrapping is an afterthought. The best way to thank your best man and groomsmen? Give them something they’ll use time and time again; fortunately, there are groomsmen gift ideas that make everyone happy. The only challenge is the purchase. If the issue is budget, there are groomsmen gift ideas that won’t break the bank. If the issue is creativity, simply use this list to decide on the best gifts for your groomsmen!

Top Gifts for Groomsmen

Here are the top groomsmen gift ideas and picks for 2010:

1. Cooler chairs: What’s better than sitting down to enjoy a nice, cold beverage? Perhaps having that cold beverage within arm’s length of your chair! This chair/cooler combo is perfect for tailgating and other sports events as well as fishing, hunting, and outings that your best man and groomsmen might attend.
2. Silver flasks: A man’s ideal companion to a night on the town, a flask is one of the best gifts for groomsmen who are hard to buy for. Sterling silver prevents discoloration and rusting, plus it’s discreet enough to be tucked away in a jacket or pants pocket for later use. Monogramming is optional; just make sure to pre-fill them with the liquor of choice.
3. Tankards, Mugs, & Beer steins: Whether you want thick metal or hand-fired ceramic, tankards, mugs, and beer steins are great groomsmen gift ideas. Personalized or not, a beer stein can hold up to 22 ounces (or more) of cold, refreshing liquid. And whether or not your best man or groomsmen choose to use them, they make great catch-alls on top of bureaus, desks, and tables.
4. Cufflinks: A classy approach to groomsmen gift ideas, cufflinks can be customized or simply chosen with a fun design already engraved. Silver is the traditional choice, though they are available in flashier options, such as gold, pewter, and bronze. Give the cufflinks before the ceremony and your groomsmen can wear them during the big event.
5. Keg-A-Que: The ultimate in outdoor grilling, the keg-a-que, one of the most popular groomsmen gift ideas available, is just what it sounds like. A mini grill made from a keg! It’s small and portable enough to be taken on tailgating events or on camping trips, and is ideal for a quick steak dinner. The opportunities are limitless with the durable, completely metal, and fun Keg-A-Que at your groomsmen’s disposal.
6. Cigar tools: From a humidor to cigar cutter or even silver Zippo lighter, the cigar smoker in your life will thank you. In terms of humidors, the options are limitless: choose from classic cherry wood or mahogany, or even a pocket-sized cigar holder/flask combo. Now your groomsmen and best man can enjoy a cigar after the ceremony.
7. Golf accessories: Ideal gifts for groomsmen, golf accessories remain a popular choice. After all, an afternoon on the golf course may be just what your friends love to do to unwind. So, give them something they’ll appreciate: mini-golf divot tools, a golf bag with their initials, or even a pewter golf ball marker set. Now, they can hit the links in style.
8. Poker pieces: A great way to celebrate a guys’ night out! On Poker Night, there’s nothing but good food and good friends. Highlight these memories with unique gifts for your groomsmen, such as top-of-the-line Vegas-style poker chips and professional cards or a fully-equipped poker set in a durable wooden case! The poker aficionado will love being able to host his own Poker Night.

Purchasing Gifts for Groomsmen

Oftentimes, you can find the best deals online or in specialty wedding catalogues. Another option is to hit your local sporting goods store when there’s a sale running. Deciding on groomsmen gift ideas may be the farthest thing from your mind, but they’re important purchases. Surprise your friends and show them that you appreciate their help with the wedding events – from grill accessories to Poker Night festivities, your best friends will get a kick out of their gifts! Groomsmen now have a reason to celebrate too!

About the Author

Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Wedding Favors, the premier site for unique anniversary, baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, and wedding favors. Her wedding ideas have also benefited readers of many websites, including Women Of, Wedding Lenox, and The Wedding Guide. Before establishing Creative Wedding Favors in 2006, she worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing all the special moments of the nuptials and ceremony. Search for fun, festive favors by visiting www.CreativeWeddingFavors.com.

Online bridal registries are a great idea for brides and grooms to put together a list of items they would like to receive and need as a wedding gift. Guests from all locations can visit an online store’s web site to view and select items chosen by the bride and groom. In most cases, after the wedding is conducted, brides and grooms are offered a percentage off the sale price to purchase the items not purchased themselves.

WeddingMuseum.com has accumulated a list of our favorite 40 online bridal registries. Our list includes sites for charity like the I Do Foundation and Just Give. We’ve included major department stores entailing the likes of Macy’s, Dilliard’s, Kohl’s, and JCPenney. You will also find a few “green” offerings like Green Feet, GreenSage, Vivaterra and Branch. The list also comprises of specialty registries as Marriott, HoneyLuna and Tupperware. Finally, we’ve included many kitchenwares wedding bridal registries like Sur La Table, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and Bed Bath & Beyond. However, we cannot forget the largest online bridal registry: Targert.com.

It’s hard to believe how much the online bridal registry scene has changed in the past several years. May companies have discontinued their online bridal registries altogether like Pier 1 Imports, Lowe’s and Home Depot. In addition, many companies have gone out of business who did offer popular bridal registries like Sharper Image and Linens and Things. As a result, do some research before creating a bridal registry at 10 different online stores. There are many specialty bridal registries from outdoor life to green living that can fit into many particular lifestyles.

WeddingMuseum.com’s list of our favorite 40 online bridal registries is alphabetical by company name.  All online bridal registries are also linked directly to the store’s web sites for a quick reference guide.  Finally, each online bridal registry is given a brief synopsis to help visitors find the right fit for anyone’s lifestyle.

Surprise Your Bridesmaid with Gifts that Delight

Bridesmaids, usually special friends or relatives, are chosen to be an integral part of planning your wedding day and to help make your day a little easier, which is why presenting them with beautiful, thoughtful bridesmaid gifts is vital. Planning a wedding is a time-consuming endeavor, and this is exactly why the role of bridesmaid was created. There are many perks to being a bridesmaid, including bonding with the bride on her special day and helping her make the necessary choices about colors, themes, food, and apparel.

The downside you ask? Being a bridesmaid can be expensive. Your bridesmaids must purchase a number of items just to be included in the wedding party – from her dress and jewelry to her travel expenses, your friend will have to foot the bill. And not only does she take care of the many menial tasks involved in planning a wedding, but she does them gladly. One of the most important decisions you have regarding each bridesmaid are the gifts you’ll give to each friend thanking them for their participation, assistance, and patience in planning the wedding day and the entire event.

Personalized bridesmaid gifts are always an excellent choice, but there are a number of other thoughtful items you can present your bridesmaids with that they will cherish. Just remember to keep in mind the type of girl you’re purchasing for, and by all means, don’t buy the same kind of ‘cookie-cutter bridesmaid gifts’ for everyone. Think about what each girl likes, and you’re sure to find something she’ll love.

Thank Her for Her Help in Planning Your Wedding

Here are some time-tested bridesmaid gifts that continue to be crowd-pleasers no matter the season!

A cosmetic bag is incredibly practical for the bridesmaid who loves her makeup and grooming tools. Available in all sizes, fabric options, and shapes, cosmetic bags can be personalized as well. Plus, they’ll not only come in handy later on, but your bridesmaid can carry her makeup here and there while planning your wedding and getting ready for your big day.

Nothing is more useful than a personalized tote bag. Popular in any season, personalized totes come in every color, shape, and size under the sun. Whether you choose a smaller polka dot tote bag ideal for running errands around town or a large canvas duffel or laptop bag, you can choose to have the bridesmaid’s initials embroidered on the front in a variety of different thread colors and font choices.

What’s better than enveloping yourself in a plush, luxurious robe? Few things are as comforting as a warm robe on a cold night, and your bridesmaid will undoubtedly love the little details, like her name or initials embroidered on the front pocket, and the cozy warmth of terry cloth or velour. You can also pair this gift with comfy bathroom slippers that match the robe and give her the gift of pampering so she can wind down from the busy time spent planning your wedding.

For timeless, elegant bridesmaid gifts they’ll be able to use long after the ceremony, you may want to consider the understated sophistication of an engraved compact. With different shapes (the classic round to the fun, contemporary heart) and finishes (satin, silver, and embellished), even the hardest-to-please bridesmaids will find compacts useful companions in their handbags.

Whether you go bright, bold, and chunky or dainty and chic, costume jewelry not only looks great but is wonderful for those special occasions. From hip, vibrant brooches to rhinestone encrusted hair combs, the bridesmaid who loves to dress up will appreciate a new or vintage piece of sparkling faux finery.

No longer an ideal gift just for a groomsman, colorful, feminine flasks are gaining popularity as bridesmaid gifts. Discreet enough to be tucked in a pocket or purse, flasks can be engraved and often come in more feminine colors and patterns, such as pinks, blues, and plaids. Your outgoing, fun-loving bridesmaid will get a kick out of her new flask and appreciate your inventive way of thanking her for her help in planning your wedding.

Stationery is always classy and always in style. There are literally thousands of card stock options, such as note cards, lined note pads, correspondence cards, and letter sheets, as well as colors and fonts to choose from. Personalized stationery is a professional, stylish way to say thank you or let someone know you are thinking of them regardless of the situation. Creative bridesmaids who love to write will certainly appreciate these types of chic bridesmaid gifts.

For the reflective bridesmaid, a photo album is an excellent choice to thank her for her assistance in planning the wedding day. Engraved with her initials (or name) or by simply selecting a pretty, leather-bound album, she can store her memories for years to come. If you have time, you could fill it with pictures of you and her at fun events in the past or leave it blank so she can make her own memories.

Finding a Gift She’ll Cherish

If you’re still not sure which direction to go, look to the bridesmaid herself to get inspiration for the right kinds of bridesmaid gifts. But most of all, do not give the same bridesmaid gifts to everyone; make it special and personalized and she’ll appreciate it that much more. With all the help they’ve been giving you throughout this hectic time, it should be an honor to present them with a unique gift they’ll cherish long after the time spent planning the wedding is over.

About the Author: Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors, helping countless couples and families make their big events a success. Before she launched the company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and groom’s big day. For more information on Creative Bride or to find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.