Gift from the Sea

Amazon.com: Books: Gift from the Sea Your Store Books See All 31 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help Search | Browse Subjects | Bestsellers | The New York Times® Best Sellers | Magazines | Corporate Accounts | Amazon Shorts | Bargain Books | Used Books | Textbooks Search Amazon.com Books Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . 395 used & new from $0.69 Available for in-store pickup now from $8.95 Price may vary based on availability Enter your ZIP Code: Have one to sell? Don't have one? We'll set one up for you. See all product images See 1 customer image Share your own customer images Look inside this book Gift from the Sea (Paperback) by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (61 customer reviews) List Price: $9.95 Price: $9.95 and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Want it delivered Friday, September 23? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 395 used & new available from $0.69 Customers who bought this book also bought Wisdom from Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Dearly Beloved by Joan Anderson A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson Anne Morrow Lindbergh : Her Life by Susan Hertog Bring Me a Unicorn: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1922-1928 by Anne Morrow Lindbergh No More Words : A Journal of My Mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh by Reeve Lindbergh Explore Similar Items : in Books , in Video , and in Music Editorial Reviews Amazon.com I found a 1955 printing of this book in an old waterfront cabin and was struck by the care with which the previous owner had read it. Eve (the name inscribed inside the front cover and then again above the heading for chapter 3) made pencil marks on nearly every paragraph of the book, underlining a phrase, highlighting many passages with strong vertical marks, scratching out some words that she seems to have found superfluous and even x-ing out whole sections that apparently missed their mark with her altogether. Two rusting paper clips isolate several pages, absent any marking at all. Anne Morrow Lindbergh's lyrical words are still relevant and presage so many of the themes of today's most popular books: simplicity, peaceful solitude, caring for the soul, a woman finding her place in society and life. I heard that the woman who had lived in the cabin had actually passed away some time before. Thank you, Eve, for your gift... from the sea. Book Description modern-day classic. "Gift from the Sea is like a shell itself in its small and perfect form . . . It tells of light and life and love and the security that lies at the heart."--New York Times Book Review. See all Editorial Reviews Product Details Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Pantheon; Reissue edition (January 30, 1991) Language: English ISBN: 0679732411 Product Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces. ( View shipping rates and policies ) Average Customer Review: based on 61 reviews. ( Write a review. ) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,525 in Books (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) Look Inside This Book Browse Sample Pages: Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover Customers who viewed this book also viewed Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh 1929-1932 by Anne Morrow Lindbergh North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Explore Similar Items : in Books Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 143 of 145 people found the following review helpful: A Roadmap for One's Life Journey , February 3, 2000 Reviewer: A reader After watching _The Spirit of St. Louis_ one afternoon, my boyfriend (who is also a pilot) told me that Anne Morrow Lindbergh had written a book, which, as he was told, "every woman should read." The next time I went to his house, _Gift from the Sea_ was waiting for me. What amazed me about this book was its timeliness, or should I say, timelessness. That a middle-aged Caucasian woman, writing during the 50's, could strike such a deeply-felt chord of sisterhood with me, a 30-something African-American woman living at the brink of a new millennium, is truly the mark of a gifted writer. We "enlightened, liberated" women of the year 2000 think, with a fair amount of condescension, that we have "progressed" so much from that time period. And yet, the issues Mrs. Lindbergh addressed are still very much with us today: how does a woman fulfill the roles of citizen, artist, wife/partner, mother, career person, friend, sibling/relative, and balance all of that with the time and self-commitment for spiritual/emotional nurturing? I have a quote from this precious gift posted on the wall at my workstation; it is a state of being I seek as a humble pilgrim on life's journey: "...I want first of all...to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact - to borrow from the language of the saints - to live "in grace" as much of the time as possible...By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony...I would like to achieve a state of inner spiritual grace from which I could function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God..." This is a must read for women everywhere! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 68 of 71 people found the following review helpful: Self-help without the jargon , May 23, 2000 Reviewer: Gregory B. Callahan (Modena, NY United States) - See all my reviews This title was a recent selection for a book discussion group that I helped organize for my library. As the only male in the group, I felt somewhat compelled to offer token protest to the selection of this classic example of a "woman's book," but actually I was intrigued by it. Everything I had read about "Gift From the Sea" praised its meditative quality and I had to admit that the promise of that rather appealed to me. I wound up reading the bulk of the book on Mothers' Day, which seemed quite appropriate, given that among the many issues Lindbergh addresses here is the need for mothers to find a balance between their own needs and those of their children and husbands. The need for time to one's self, a "room of one's own", the need for a spriritual dimension to one's existence--well, it seems so obvious that these needs have to be met if a woman--if any human being--is to be fulfilled and to be able to meet her (or his) responsibilities with joy rather than with dread. But the lessons that Anne Morrow Lindbergh taught in 1955 still need to be voiced in 2000--perhaps more than ever. Lindbergh seems prescient when she speaks of the dangers of the "life of multiplicity" which had already taken root in the immediate post-War era. We know all too well that it has not gotten any better in the past 50 years and that women's lives in particular have become more stressful and, to use Lindbergh's word, "fragmented" in the past half-century. What distinguishes Lindbergh's book from today's current crop of self-help or New Age sprititual books though is its lyrical quality. Her careful, belletristic prose is soothing and, yes, meditative in and of itself. Reading it seems to bring about the very centeredness and balance that she seeks to describe. Although she includes no bibliography (and rightly so, as this is not a tract), I would hope that many of her readers would be inspired to seek out the works of some of the writers she quotes in the context of these essays. She does the world a great service in suggesting how Rilke, for example, whose poetry may seem impenetrable at first, can actually speak to the concerns of our own lives. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. excellent , September 18, 2005 Reviewer: Pamela Cain "Pamela" (KY) - See all my reviews Excellent service; received book immediately and in excellent condition. Would definitely use again. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Truly a gift to anyone who reads it! , August 31, 2005 Reviewer: K. M. Floyde (Colorado) - See all my reviews This is my new favorite book of the summer... when I usually reads books like this, I like to highlight passages that are especially meaningful to me, however, in this case, the entire book would have been filled with highlighting. Every page seemed to speak to my soul in ways that were totally unexpected. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Gift from the Sea: 50th Anniversay Edition , August 25, 2005 Reviewer: Jeanne K. Daly "jerseygirl_books" (Missoula, MT) - See all my reviews This book will appeal to beach lovers everywhere. A great read for all women and this book goes to show the more things change the more they stay the same; the joys and struggles of family life are timeless and the time that we spend on the beach is priceless. I highly recommend it and plan on ordering some additional copies for my special friends and family. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Eloquent & Thought Provoking , August 24, 2005 Reviewer: Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews I purchased "Gifts From the Sea" not sure what to expect, and as I write this I find myself unsure once again, but this time about how to describe it - let me give it a try... This beautifully written collection of "essays" has to do with the lives of women, and how many facets of our lives can be understood through the reflection of the various gifts from the sea - namely sea shells. Anne Morrow Lindbergh takes the reader on a journey with her to a private, and very personal beach vacation that took place sometime in the early 1950's. She went on this vacation by herself, in order to take time to relax & reflect. During this time, she noticed that each type of shell that she picked up had a "gift" - a way of looking at life that helped her to understand herself & other's better. She discusses the various periods in life that we all (or at least most) tend to go through, and what can be learned by each. One of the most important of which is to learn who YOU are. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any woman who feels overworked &/or underappreciated in any area of their life - you may find a better understanding to your issues throughout these pages... Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 61 customer reviews... Listmania! Great Tools to Inspire Women Leaders : A list by Barbara Bellissimo , Women's Leadership Coach Many-Splendored Things : A list by rosedaughter , a music-maker Life: Searching for meaning : A list by Ellen Ferlazzo , Software consultant Create a Listmania! list So You'd Like to... Adventure with the Estrogen Army: Gifts from the Sea : A guide by S. Braiden , Columnist for CBC Radio Canada, Digital Diva &... Help Yourself and Find Wellness : A guide by Annette Weil , Recovery Counselor Create a life of beauty, peace, style, and grace : A guide by JacquelineRose , wife, mother of four, homemaker, and writer Create a So You'd Like to... guide Look for similar items by category Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Authors Subjects > Literature & Fiction > General > Classics Subjects > Religion & Spirituality > New Age Subjects > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Inspirational Subjects > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Personal Transformation Look for similar items by subject Inspiration & Personal Growth Inspirational Inspirational - General Life Literary Literature: Classics Biography & Autobiography / Literary i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... This Book and You Write a Review | Write a So You'd Like To... Guide | E-mail a Friend About This Item | Rate This Item Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect. Propose corrections using our Online Catalog Update Form . The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Restaurants Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Beta Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Pet Supplies Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Scientific Supplies Medical Supplies Indust. Supplies Automotive Home Furnishings Lifestyle Arts & Hobbies for Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France | China Contact Us | Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Releases | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Unique Gifts Gifts For

Unique Gifts & Home Decor - Gift Ideas for Birthday Gifts, Wedding Gifts and Anniversary Gifts Unique Gifts & Home Decor - Birthday, Wedding and Romatic Anniversary Gift Ideas Cart Departments Unique Gifts Gifts For Him Gifts For Her Pet Gifts Wine Gifts Baby Gifts Home Decor Tapestries Bath Products Kitchen Olive Oil Bottles Fashion Accessories Jewelry Also Available New Products Hot Sellers On Sale Estate Sale Gift Wrapping Gift Certificates Online Catalog Gift Search Gifts By Brand Caldrea Cypress Home Glass Act Isabella's Journey L' Erbolario Lady Jane Plum Creek Santa Barbara Gift Departments Home Decor Tapestries Bath Products Unique Gifts Wine Gifts Pet Lover Gifts Dog Lover Gifts Cat Lover Gifts Jewelry Kitchen Items Olive Oil Bottles Handbags Fashion Baby Gifts Gifts For Him Gifts For Her New Products Hot Sellers On Sale Clearance Gift Certificates Resources L' Erbolario Beauty Tips Host a Wine Tasting Party Olive Oil Facts & Tips Advertise on Paisley Creek Fax Order Form Site Map Link Exchange Links Tired of Spyware? Try CounterSpy Welcome to Paisley Creek's Online Gift Shop Sign in to make shopping easier. New visitor? Start here. Pamper yourself with our unique gifts, elegant home decor, wall decor, wrought iron accents, sterling silver, crystal jewelry and fashion jewelry, gourmet and country kitchen decor, Isabellas Journey handbags, kitchen accessories, bath and body products, perfume bottles, olive oil bottles and dipping sets, Caldrea products, wine bottle holders, baby gift ideas, wine gifts, cat lover and dog lover gift ideas. Shop our online gift ideas for wedding gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, holiday gifts, corporate, bridesmaid, teacher and romantic presents. Unique Gifts and Online Gift Ideas Romantic Anniversary, Wedding and Birthday Gifts Shop our great gift ideas at Paisley Creek. For example, escape to the wine country with the great food, wine, and music from this wonderful Menu and Music Tasting the Wine Country Cookbook and Music Set! We have great golf gifts , birthday, wedding, anniversary gifts . Shop our pet gifts for a unique dog gift or cat gift for the animal lover on your shopping list. Baby gifts and newborn gift ideas. Browse our wine gift ideas shop for wedding gifts , anniversary, corporate gifts , christmas, holiday or birthday gifts . Undecided? Choose a Gift Certificate. Shop our unique gifts and gift ideas by clicking Unique Gifts . L' Erbolario Italian Bath and Body Products We proudly offer European bath and body products from L' Erbolario. Popular with Europeans, these elegant Italian bath products have stylish packaging reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside, wonderful fragrances and superior quality. These Italian bath and body products make perfect anniversary or birthday gifts . Shop our soap, bath salts, body and massage oil and delicate newborn and baby bath products. Need a great baby gift idea? Make a unique baby shower, baby gift or baby bath product gift basket. Shop online for our Italian L' Erbolario and other bath products and bathroom decor. Hand-blown Glass Perfume Bottles Bath Products, Bathroom Accessories and Bathroom Decor The elegant topaz and cream swirls of this hand-blown glass perfume bottle make it a delightful bathroom vanity accessory. Created by master craftsmen employing century-old methods, our perfume bottles make great romantic valentines gift, anniversary gifts or a unique birthday gift idea for her. Shop our decorative bath products, bathroom accessories and bathroom decor online here Bath and Body . Elegant Home Decor and Accents Candleholders, Clocks, Lamps, Wall Decor and Decorative Home Furnishings Shop our elegant home decor and accents from decorative pillows to beautiful tapestries and other wall decor and wall hangings. Shopping for a decorating idea for your home or garden? Add elegance to any room with this decorative accent Table, Office or Desk Lamp. Shop online for our home decorating products and house-warming gift ideas in our Home Decor shopping category Home Decor . Fashion Jewelry Sterling Silver, Austrian Crystal and other Costume Jewelry Shopping for romantic wedding, anniversary or birthday gift ideas for her? Check out our quality sterling silver, crystal and fashion jewelry. We offer handbags, unique rings, earrings, bracelets and sterling silver necklaces. Here's a great gift idea for her - this elegant three strand stone necklace and earring set in our Fashion Jewelry shop.. Santa Barbara Ceramic Designs and Cypress Homes Olive Oil Bottles and Dipping Sets This Montalcino Olive Oil Bottle and Dipping Set includes a decorated Italian style glass Olive Oil Bottle, porcelain Dipping Bowl and Recipe Booklet featuring ten bread dipping recipes. Shop our Olive Oil Bottles and Olive Oil Dipping Gift Sets from Santa Barbara Ceramic Designs and Cypress Homesby clicking Olive Oil Bottles . For some helpful hints, additional olive oil information and one bread dipping recipe, click Olive Oil . Kitchen Accessories and Decor Caldrea, Cypress Homes and Santa Barbara Ceramic Design Products, Serving Trays, Trivets, Coasters, Wine Bottle Holders and other Kitchen Accessories Shop online for our unique kitchenware, housewares, accessories and kitchen decor. Caldrea products to freshen your home. Santa Barbara Ceramic Designs and Cypress Home products, like this rooster serving tray, will add charm to your french country kitchen. Find great gift ideas and country kitchen decor onlinefor your home in our Kitchen Accessories shop. Sign up for our periodic Paisley Creek Newsletter Your Privacy is always protected. Paisley Creek Home Decor, Unique Gifts, Bath Products, Gift Ideas, Fashion Jewelry, Kitchen Accessories Home Decor and Accents | Tapestries | Bath, Body and Beauty Products | Kitchen Accessories Unique Gifts and Gift Ideas | Pet Lover Gifts | Wine Gifts | Gifts for Her | Gifts for Him Fashion Jewelry | Olive Oil Bottles | Fashion Accessories | Handbags About Us | Help | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | My Account | My Cart | Order Status | Links | Site Map 2002-2005 Paisley Creek Gifts. All Rights Reserved Online Gift Shop - Gift Ideas for Wedding, Anniversary and Birthday Gifts Testimonials You guys are really thorough. Thank you for the personal touch to your service. It is greatly appreciated. Jennifer, Studio City CA I was quite pleased with the merchandise on Paisley Creeks web site, and will be back there again. Jeff, Havelock NC

Gifts For Women Articles

Golf Gifts For Women - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Golf Gifts For Women Articles Golf Gifts - Find Ideas for Great Golf Gifts Need ideas for the golfer in your life? Or maybe the golfer in your life is you. No matter who you are shopping for, you'll find ideas and recommendations for great golf gifts here....( Continue Reading ) Golf Books, Gifts and Miscellaneous Reviews and News Find reviews and news about golf books, golf gifts and gadgets and other miscellaneous reviews and news....( Continue Reading ) Gifts for Women Looking for Valentine's Day gifts for women? Here are five suggestions to give the perfect gift this Valentine's day for the woman in your life....( Continue Reading ) Five Healthy Tips for Improving Your Score We all know that a proper diet and good fitness can improve your golf game. You might not have known that the way you eat this morning - or even during a round - can improve your game, too. Golf......( Continue Reading ) Phoenix, AZ - TopPicks An index of TopPicks for the Phoenix, AZ guide site....( Continue Reading ) Golf Gifts For Women Directory Links one month anniversary gifts christmas gifts for moms ibm matching gifts horse theme gifts diwali gifts to india gift baskets in michigan mothers day gifts india twelve days of christmas gifts gifts for writers cat lovers gifts ideas for mothers day gifts american sign language gifts gifts for expectant mothers greek gifts teacher thank you gifts gift food baskets what are my spiritual gifts nut gift baskets rakhi gifts to india japanese gifts com traditional anniversary gifts by year country baskets great grandma gifts holiday homemade gifts collectibles and gifts for valor personalized gifts for him irish christmas gifts gifts business 7 gifts of the holy spirit wholesale baskets wedding bridesmaid gifts easter gift baskets special birthday gifts photo gifts easter gifts for babies bachelor party gag gifts send gifts to dubai gifts for wedding anniversaries basket gifts simple gifts shaker texas tech gifts best electronic gifts appropriate anniversary gifts great holiday gifts gifts for teenagers Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

Birthday Gift Suggestions One

21st Birthday Gifts The Very Highest Quality Gift Suggestions... 21st Birthday Gift Suggestions 1984 Jugoslavian Silver Coin 21st Birthday Gift Suggestions One of the most popular gifts for 21st birthdays is a gold sovereign, but we are always being asked for other ideas... Coins as 21st Birthday Gifts Twenty-first birthdays are still considered by many as traditionally marking a young person's coming-of-age, so many parents or grandparents wish to give a very special gift on this important occasion. Naturally, they wish to give something of lasting value that will be kept for the recipient's lifetime. A coin bearing their year of birth is a increasingly popular but unusual and very special gift. How We Can Help You As a leading UK coin dealer, we are often asked for coins or coin sets from particular years as gift items. We have gift suggestions for many different years, but coins are popular gifts for those very special events in people's lives, such as their 21st birthday. We are happy to try to oblige. On this page we list a few suggestions. Because the dates change from year to year, we will keep the body of this page fairly constant, and just give links to other pages for particular years. To see specific ideas for 1984, you may wish to follow the link to our 1984 Coins as Gifts page. Gold Sovereigns Gold sovereigns are the 21st birthday gift we most often get asked about. We keep in stock almost every date of gold sovereign including those of 21 years ago, although in 1984 these were proof sovereigns only. They make great gifts just as they are, but many people choose to have them mounted into jewellery. We can supply a compact selection of quality ring and pendant mounts for gold sovereigns, half sovereigns and other coins. Please see our gold sovereigns website. Half Sovereigns Half sovereigns are the second most common requested item for coming-of-age gifts. They are less expensive than sovereigns, and make are a more suitable size for use in rings, as sovereign rings are too large for many people. Half sovereigns were issued in 1984, although in these were proof only. Krugerrands Although we don't get asked for krugers as frequently as sovereigns, they are a suitable and unusual alternative. They are available for most years since 1967, although some dates are more difficult to find than others. Since 1980, fractional sizes of krugerrands are available for most years. British Coin Sets We stock British coin year sets for most dates. From 1970, there are Royal Mint proof sets available, and from 1984, there are also Royal Mint Uncirculated sets. these are attractively packaged, and many are accompanied by informative packaging about events during that particular year. Other British Coins In some years there are other British coins which can make interesting and unusual gifts which can become treasured mementoes. Other World Coins Although we specialise mainly in British coins, there are many other world coins and coin sets, some gold, some silver, which can make great gifts especially if the person has a particular affinity or connection with that country. World Silver Crowns A selection of dollar sized silver coins of various years from many different countries. I you are looking for a difficult year, this might be worth trying. World Silver Proof Coins Various silver coins, struck as proofs (special high quality finish) from different countries and different years. Order Form - UK Order Form - USA Order Form - EU Order Form - Rest of World 1984 Coins as Gifts Buying Coins We also buy coins, please see our We Buy Coins page. If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth? If you have an enquiry about 21st birthday gift ideas,, we'd be happy to answer you, but please note it may be quicker to telephone us. Please see the Contact Us page of our website. ...at the Lowest Possible Price 521 Lytham Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081 & 316238; Fax 408058; E-mail: enquiries@24carat.co.uk The URL for our main page is: http://www.24carat.co.uk/index.html Web Design by Snoop

Wedding Gift Registry: Charity

CBS News | Wedding Gift Registry: Charity | August 5, 2005 13:00:24 SEARCH: CBSNews.com The Web Home U.S. World Politics SciTech Health Entertainment Business Opinion Sports FREE CBS News Video August 5, 2005 13:00:24 Living HealthWatch Leisure Series The Sat. Early Show Contributors • Section Front E-mail This Story Printable Version Wedding Gift Registry: Charity NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2005 Charitable Couples Aakash Thakkar and Christina Giallourakis (Photo: CBS/The Early Show) (CBS) The latest request at many weddings these days hasn't been for presents at all. With the average ages of brides and grooms today at 27 and 29 respectively, many have all the dishes and bedding they need. So instead of asking for china and crystal, The Early Show contributor Laurie Hibberd reports, they're asking their guests to donate to charity. When Christina Giallourakis and Aakash Thakkar got married this spring, they were actually excited that half of their wedding guests did not buy them gifts. Thakkar explains, "We had sort of tried to, in planning for our wedding, to sort of get the basics that we need. Sure, maybe we didn't have sort of all the toasters and silverware and plates, et cetera, that one might need. But I think, our general thought was we could buy that stuff along the way." Instead, this Washington, D.C., couple asked their friends and family to help start a scholarship fund at Thakkar's high school alma mater. He says, "The thought was to start a scholarship that would be perpetual, and would allow a disadvantaged child in the Washington, D.C., area to be able to go to St. John's College High School." And they're not the only ones to forgo presents for charity. The trend has grown in the last few years, with a number of high-profile celebrity couples, including Billy Joel and his wife, Katie, setting the example. "I don't think we ever considered asking our friends to buy us gifts," Katie Joel says. "My husband and I were really on the same page when it came to this issue. We wanted to have charity donations for the wedding from the beginning. I got a lot of feedback from different friends saying, 'It's great that you chose to give to charities, instead of asking for gifts. We don't want to buy you a coffee pot'." Kara Corridan, executive editor of Modern Bride magazine, notes, "Over the past few years, couples may donate the unused food from their reception to a local food bank, or they'll print their invitations and their stationery on recycled paper. Or instead of giving favors to guests, they'll tell them that they made a donation to their favorite charity." Bethany Robertson is the executive director of the I Do Foundation , a non-profit organization that helps couples incorporate charity into their big day. Roberts says, "We have seen a phenomenal increase in the number of couples who are participating. In 2004, we had about 20,000 couples in the program. And this year, we're on track to have over 200,000 couples choose a charity through either the I Do Foundation or one of our partners. This is money that did not currently or before exists in the charitable pipeline. This is money that was being spent on cake toppers and garter belts. Now, it's being used for children's health or for community development, things like that. I kind of think of it as icing on the cake, really." Experts say it makes sense that this trend is on the rise with couples waiting longer - and until they're older - before walking down the aisle. Corridan says, "I think now because we have more couples who have been living together before they get married, they literally just don't need the stuff that would end up on a traditional registry, or they may live separately, and so, they might end up with two sets of everything going in to setting up their home." For couples like Christina Giallourakis and Aakash Thakkar, who are tying charitable giving into the day they tie the knot, they say it makes all the difference. "I think it made our wedding better," Giallourakis says. "There was that much more interaction with all of our guests before the wedding. It wasn't they just went to a Web site and bought a gift and that was it. It was: How's the fund doing? Where are you up to now?" And Robertson is hoping that more and more people think of those less fortunate while planning for their own futures. She says, "The I Do Foundation's vision is really that in 10 years, when someone comes back from a wedding, people will say, 'What did the bridesmaids' dresses look like? Who was the best man? And what was the couple's charity?'" If you're wondering how much money can actually be raised like this, so far Giallourakis and Thakkar's scholarship fund has raised about $8,000. What's This? MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Rita Exodus Texas Gov. Reverses Southbound Interstate Lanes To Aid Evacuations • Passengers Watched Drama Unfold • New Orleans: New Flood Risk • Democrats Split On Roberts Wedding Gift Registry: Charity What More Engaged Couples Are Asking Of Wedding Guests • 'Jaws' Set To Scare Anew • Getting These Blues Can Help • Trend Report: Bright Ideas • Leo DiCaprio On 'The Aviator' Back To Top Bios | Contact Info Help | Advertise | Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CBS News Bios | CBS.com | CBS SportsLine.com | Internships ©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Love Is In The Air Here are some showy proposals and weddings that got attention. Celebrity Circuit Hollywood's elite turns up at Toronto Film Festival This Is His Life A look at award-winning "Piano Man" Billy Joel. Video Instead of registering for wedding presents, many couples are asking for donations to charity. The Early Show's Laurie Hibberd reports on this rising trend. Story Piano Man A Married Man Again Link I Do Foundation - Web site Link The Wedding Salon - Web site Link American Cancer Society's Wedding Scroll Program Link Modern Bride Magazine Sign up: E-Mail Alerts RSS Feeds Podcasts Contributors Bobby Flay Susan Koeppen Emily Senay Minna Lessig Steve Hartman Danny Lipford Debbye Turner Bob Vila -- Laurie Hibberd Colin Cowie Dayle Haddon -- Christy Ferer Tracy Smith Ray Martin Charlie Dimmock Regina Lewis Melinda Murphy Martha Stewart -- Face The Nation CBS Morning News Up To The Minute -- close [x]