What an honor! A gathering of friends and family to witness the commitment of two people to each other is an important event to celebrate. In addition to finding the right attire, the next thing to check off is a thoughtful gift for the happy couple. 

Weddings and traditions have evolved over the years, and many gifts that would have been a part of a registry 50-100 years ago don’t make the cut any longer. For instance, a happy couple in the Appalachians might have a “pounding” to help them set up housekeeping. Friends and neighbors would bring a pound of the essentials to help them fill their pantry with butter, coffee, flour, sugar, cornmeal, and the like. Come to think of it, that might still be a great idea! But, it can be a struggle to strike the right balance when selecting your gift.  

The perfect gift will be based on many factors, like did they live together before their wedding, are they moving into a new house, are they staying in the same community, what are their mutual interests, what do they do for fun, etc. To help you make a selection sure to warrant a coveted thank you note, we visited with our associates who work on the floor to get their ideas. Some will be in a more traditional vein, while others will be useful, fun, and a little “outside the home.”  Follow this LINK to a page filled with gift ideas.

On the Traditional Side 

Starting off with a few traditional items, you can’t go wrong with cast iron cookware. The Lodge selection at the Mast Store includes skillets in different sizes, griddles, Dutch ovens, and more. This gift is an heirloom that can be passed from generation to generation with the proper care. It is very versatile and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the campfire. Add in a few accessories, like scrappers and hot handle holders, and a cookbook or two for a complete package.  

While china may not be on the registry, a new set of dishes shouldn’t be totally off the list. Fiesta Tableware is made in the USA and is the most collected dinnerware in the history of the tabletop industry. We like to say, “It’s a party for your table.” You can’t deny that spirits are lifted by Fiesta’s colorful palate. It’s fun to mix and match colors and shapes when you lay a beautiful table. Add in a set of placemats and cloth napkins for a nice touch.  

If the happy couple is setting up new housekeeping, a few things for the kitchen are always appreciated, especially if either or both of them enjoy cooking. Might we suggest a wooden cutting board, mixing bowls by Mason Cash, a pottery bread maker (with maybe a couple of mixes to make it even easier to enjoy fresh bread), and a nifty set of measuring cups that look just like batter bowls?  

Something’s Brewing 

How about coffee and tea drinkers? We love the idea of giving consumables! Mast Store has a great array of coffees – both flavored and blends – that are roasted for us in Greenville, South Carolina. You might pair it with a Classic Perfect Brew Pour Over Set by Stanley. For the tea drinker, check out the blends from the Asheville Tea Company. Match any of them up with a tea kettle, wildflower honey, and some Lavender Lemon Sugar from Spicewall for a tasty box of thoughtfulness. Of course, you may also consider including one of our top-selling Handwarmer mugs, too. 

Raise a toast to the end of the day or the beginning of the weekend! For budding mixologists, give the gifts of the trade – a cocktail shaker, reusable swizzle sticks, ice mold sets, and cocktail recipe cards. An insulated wine bottle and tumblers from Hydro Flask and YETI are great accessories. 

Think Outside 

Help the newlyweds outfit the outside! If they love to go camping or attend lots of music festivals or just like to sit outside and gaze at the stars, a gift that gets them outdoors is a wonderful option. Start out with a Loveseat from Kelty Pack, then add in an Original Puffy Blanket from Rumpl, a Flip 12 with reusable ice blocks from YETI, and some Luci Solar String Lights from MPowerd to set a romantic mood.  

Then, there’s a garden setting that could also be considered. Choose a beautiful, handmade birdhouse, windchimes that are made in the USA, and a DoubleNest Hammock and straps from Eagles Nest Outfitters to relax and unwind.  

Making Holiday Traditions 

The holiday season may be a bit different once the knot is tied. It’s an opportunity to begin their own celebrations.  

For a traditional holiday centerpiece, pick the Creche from Willow Tree. It has three parts to its ensemble including the stable, Nativity figurines, and the three wise men.  

The Christmas Tree is an easily recognizable symbol of the season. For a throwback to childhood wonder, a gift of a lighted ceramic tree is a treat or if the couple will be hosting many family events at Christmastime, a pine tree cutting board is the perfect foundation for a holiday charcuterie spread. 

Ornaments are terrific gift toppers. Just tie one into the bow as you wrap up the gift. They can become the main gift itself, too, particularly if you are seizing on a couple’s interest in the glorious outdoors by giving a tree’s worth of feathered friend ornaments. 

These groupings are just a few thoughts on finding the perfect gift for the soon-to-be-wed on your list. You’ll find a number of additional suggestions on our Wedding Gifts page. And if you still don’t see something that’s just right, well, there’s a suggestion for that, too… A Mast Store gift card. Happy gifting!