We're Polish living in Germany and were invited to a wedding in India by a friend of ours. The groom is Indian and the bride is Mexican, to make things more complicated. It's planned at the end of November. That's the first time going to India for us, we don't know much about the culture. We don't know what we should get them as a gift. What would be a good idea for a gift? What's traditionally gifted there?
There's supposed to be another wedding in Mexico next year, to which we'll also be invited, so in case you have any ideas for that wedding - feel free to chime in already!
Thanks for all the responses!
I’m not Indian or Mexican, but they’d probably love a polish gift! Make sure it’s the right price point, but a super traditional polish wedding gift, especially if you can write a note explaining it, would probably be a lovely gift. Extra points if it involves some tradition or a marital check in at a year or six months or something.
Definitely we’ll think of something Polish, thanks for the suggestion!
I agree about a German or Polish item; such a good chance for a bit of international flair. I don’t know anything about Poland, but I spent time in Germany a long time ago. My mind went to cuckoo clocks for fun, and other fine and classy looking clocks (I brought home a chime clock that I loved). Could be towels embroidered in a traditionally Polish way. Or a set of Polish or German stemware.
I’m not Indian, but I’ve got a few Indian friends and have attended a few Indian weddings as well. From what I’ve seen, there’s no “traditional” gift - most of the gifts I’ve seen are something which would be useful for the couple or their house, eg a dinner set, clothes, jewelery, maybe even a gadget or appliance. But this really depends on the couple - younger couples these days may explicitly say no to any physical gifts (because they may just end up becoming clutter) and would prefer accepting cash or gift cards instead. So if you’re close to your friend, I’d say ask them upfront what sort of gift they would prefer or if there’s any type of gift they wouldn’t want - and that should help you narrow it down. Beware that they may say not to worry about bringing a gift and just your presence alone would be a gift (I’ve heard this dialog a few times…), but regardless, you shouldn’t back down, and insist that you will gift them something irrespective of what they say, so this should make them back down if they’re being stubborn. :)
As someone else said, a Polish gift might be a good idea - doesn’t have to be a “useful” thing, but something symbolic to remember you would be nice.
so… a blender is probably off the table?
I’d suggest just straight up asking. if they insist on nothing- and you still want to, something small and fun. maybe a gag gift that’ll make everyone laugh, or just something that’s ‘you’.
American here, but I agree with a traditionally Polish or German gift. I’ve always thought Polish pottery is lovely.
I went to a Sikh wedding a while ago, the groom’s family was Sikh and the bride’s family was from Vancouver. After the service the bride and groom sat on the floor while people talked to them from behind. As they were turned to talk to the people behind them everyone else would pass in front of them and leave money in their laps. There were no gifts.
They also did a North American type reception a few days later and there were gifts for that but they were registered.
You reminded me about my neighbour wedding. She get together with Scottish guy and tradition was that theyr fathers have to wear national dress of the other one.
So my neighbour had a kilt and the Scott had something like this:
Link broken, must say I have never seen that interpreted as clothes, but you can definitely do some fun stuff with it.
It may be blocked by your browser. Some of our sites can’t get their heads out of the butt and switch to https.
Probably why. I did however managed to get some pictures of the clothes by search for the link instead, so it worked out in the end.
Does the couple have a gift registry?
Not that we know of. There was also nothing mentioned on the invitation. We’ll most likely just ask them as some has suggested.
Mexican here. Gifts are a must in mexican weddings, but I know nothing about Indian culture. As the actual wedding taking place in India, one must assume it’ll be tied to Indian weddings protocol, so I would suggest you ask your friend about this.
Money for indians. Im in the UK and depending on how close you are you we typically give anywhere from £20 upwards. Theres a tradition of giving an extra£1 though so it would actually be £21, £31, £51 ect.
Mexican gifts are usually money. They’ll even have a dance where guests pin money on the bride and groom while they dance.
An Ikea gift card is the traditional wedding gift of modern times.
