wedding gifts you really

MSN Money - Get the wedding gifts you really want MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping Money People & Chat Sign In W eb Search: Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Planning Home Retirement Savings Insurance Family/College Resources Decision Centers Commentary Index More Tools Related Links My Accounts Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Get market news by e-mail See if refinancing works Personal finance bookshelf Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site map Related Sites Association of Bridal Consultants The Honeymoon Casa de Oro Travel wedding registry Honeymoonforyou.com HoneyLuna.com The Basics Get the wedding gifts you really want advertisement Traditional registries can prevent you from getting 5 identical bun warmers. But some couples really want camping gear, home down payments or honeymoon contributions. What would Miss Manners say? By MP Dunleavey It's relatively rare these days for people to get married right after graduating from college. The average age for first marriage among women has risen steadily to more than 25, from less than 21 in 1970; for men, the average is now more than 27. My fianc and I were about a decade or so past our mid-20s when we got married recently, and like a lot of people, we had accumulated a lot of stuff during our unmarried years. The last thing we wanted was more stuff. At least that's how we felt when we considered doing the standard newlywed thing: i.e. registering for china, linens, monogrammed silver, matching PDAs and a small, well-behaved child. Nah. What we wanted, more than anything, given the stress of modern wedding planning, was to go lie on a beach somewhere and pretend we were still happily dating. Don't let retirement sneak up on you. Create a perfect plan. But like most couples we found the cost of the wedding taxing enough -- even though our parents did pay for most of it. There was no way we could afford a honeymoon, too. So we got this crazy idea. If our loved ones would be willing to shell out for glassware and new pots, would it be terrible -- crass, rude, self-serving -- to ask for contributions toward what we really wanted? Financial wedding etiquette To be honest, I've never liked the idea of a traditional registry. No matter how fancy the store (or your china pattern), you're basically telling guests what to buy you. Miss Manners, aka Judith Martin, pointed out in a recent column that commercial gift registries used to be kept ONLY in the event that customers inquired about a bride's china or silver pattern. Now, she says, all sentiment is being stripped from the gift-giving tradition. People turn to registries, she says, "to put generosity under the control of its beneficiaries." And, she concludes sternly: "These practices are no less vulgar for having become commonplace." Her point is well-taken. Some couples seem to equate "getting married" with "shopping spree" and use the registry system to shamelessly upgrade every item in their home. On the other hand, there is a financial reality that cannot be avoided. Custom dictates that a gift must be bought, so for most people the financial sanity (and sheer convenience) of bridal registries outweighs the inherent crudeness of this system. Guests don't waste their money buying gifts couples don't want or can't use. Couples get what they need, so they don't have to buy it themselves. Stuff -- who needs it? Increasingly, says Peggy Post, author of "Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette by Peggy Post", many couples would rather skip the stuff anyway. "So many couples come to the marriage with so many things," she says, noting that 40% of marriages are "encore," i.e. repeat, unions, for one or both partners. "These days you see people registering for all kinds of non-traditional items." Among them: camping gear, a down payment for a house, stock certificates and, yes! . . . the honeymoon. According to the Association of Bridal Consultants (see link at left), a wedding guest will spend an average of $85 on a gift. The average cost of a honeymoon is about $4,000. If a couple has no need for flatware and linens, why not encourage guests to contribute to a honeymoon registry like thehoneymoon.com, casadeorotravel.com, honeymoonforyou.com or honeyluna.com? Guests can contribute to airfare, romantic dinners, massages, picnics, guided tours, etc. To drool over a sample registry for a honeymoon in Hawaii, click on the link at left under Honeymoonforyou.com. For one in Greece, click at left under HoneyLuna.com. And to send in contributions for my honeymoon, click . . . oh, never mind. The etiquette of alternative registries Peggy Post, the great-granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post, thinks using these offbeat registries can be fine "with a big IF attached." Here's some guidance: 1) Wait until you're asked. It's impolite (and annoying) to include a card announcing where you're registered. Wait for guests to inquire, and let the word spread discreetly through friends and family. "Let your parents, siblings, wedding party and close friends know -- IF they've asked," suggests Bobbie Izeman, a bridal consultant and advice columnist for blushing-brides.com. "But don't announce it in a formal way." 2) Do not dictate. As Miss Manners points out, a gift, above all, is a gift. It is not up to you to decide what your guests should give, no matter how badly you want contributions to your down payment, help with your airfare or even traditional items like cookware. "You should leave your guests the option to give you what they want," agrees Post. 3) Say thank you. It may seem obvious, but sending a prompt, enthusiastic thank you note -- for every gift, no matter what the gift -- is essential. "The key thing is to remember to be appreciative," says Post. The honeymoon fund Since we didn't know about these honeymoon registries a few months ago, my fianc and I set up our own impromptu "honeymoon fund." We made a small gaffe by alluding to it in the instruction sheet for our weekend wedding (oops!), but it was in the context of asking guests please not to give presents. Apparently, that is also a faux pas (eek!), but we hadn't consulted all these etiquette experts then. To our surprise, a small number of friends (and a couple of relatives) protested. They wanted to get us A Real Gift. I can say with some relief that at least we handled that properly -- encouraging people to give whatever sort of gift they wanted. And they did. We got a lovely mix of gifts and honeymoon fund contributions. Just enough so that we can restore our sanity on some sandy shore -- without going into a penny of debt. What greater wedding gift could there be? Editor's Choice 3 legal papers you can't live without Your own business, your tax shelter Brush: The 5 most overpaid CEOs Are seniors gambling away retirement? Cut your taxes by going solar Readers' Choice Ratings Top 5 Articles 9.34 Zombie debt collectors dig up your old mistakes 9.33 10 ways to stop identity theft cold 9.31 10 ways to avoid outrageous hospital overcharges 9.22 The tricks and traps of debt consolidation 9.17 Safeguard your Social Security number View all top rated articles More Resources · E-mail us your comments on this article · Post on the Your Money message board · Get a daily dose of market news S earch MSN Money tips advertisement MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. 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Shower Gift Bingo [TKB2430]

Shower Gift Bingo -- Largest Selection of CLICK HERE Product Search Categories BOOKS & MUSIC Books CDs and Video Planner COLLECTIONS Hortense & Kerenza Beverly Clark CEREMONY Aisle Runners Baskets Candles & Holders Purses & Money Bags Ring Pillows Tussie Mussies FAVORS Boxes & Bags Bubbles & Bells Candy Wrappers/Seals Favor Tags Personalized Favors Sweets Unique Favors GIFTS Accessories Anniversary Bar & Glassware Bridesmaid Gifts Childrens Gifts Groomsmen Gifts Key Chains Parents Gifts Wedding Keepsakes INVITATIONS Carlson Craft Regency JEWELRY Gem & Rhinestone Jewelry Boxes Pearl Jewelry Silver Jewelry Tiaras JUST FOR FUN Bridal Accessories Bridal Shower Games Clothing Novelty Items RECEPTION Albums Cake Serving Sets Cake Tops Cameras Centerpieces Decorations Garters Guest Books Pen Sets Placecard Holders & Frames Toasting Glasses STATIONERY Bookmarks Invitations Marriage Certificates Other Stationery Placecards Programs Thank You Other Useful Links Wedding Stationery Helpful guidelines on how to select your wedding invitation ensemble Login | Order Tracking | View Cart SHOWING PRODUCT FROMS FROM: WEDDING SOLUTIONS JUST FOR FUN » Bridal Shower Games Shower Gift Bingo [TKB2430] $31.50 Click to enlarge Break the ice and get shower guests involved with this bridal edition of the classic bingo game. The rules are simple: As the bride opens her gifts, one bridesmaid serves as the "caller" while the other guests mark their pre-printed bingo cards with corresponding names of possible gift items such as "Bakeware," "Coffee Grinder," "Bath Accessories," or "Lingerie." The first person to get five in a row and yell "Bingo" wins! Set includes 50 unique bingo cards, 1 caller card, and instructions. White-and-red cards measure 5 1/4" w x 6 3/4" h each. Policies | Contact Us | View Cart | FAQ's | Home Wedding Accessories | Wedding Favors --

Wedding Gifts Family Portrait

Unique Wedding Gifts, Wedding Accessories and Ideas Wedding Guest Books Ring Bearer Pillows Flower Girl Baskets Wedding Accessories Wedding Pictures Create Account | My Account | My Shopping Cart | Checkout | Order History | Logoff Wedding Keepsakes Wedding Guest Book Platters Wedding Pictures Personalized Signature Frame Kit Signature Photo Quilts Custom Photo Quilts Family Tree Platters Custom Wedding Figures Personalized Photo Pillows Wedding Gifts Family Portrait Platters Personalized House Pictures Recipe For a Happy Marriage Wedding Accessories Ring Bearer Pillows Flower Girl Baskets Crystal Bouquets Wedding Tiaras and Bridal Headpieces Bridal Jewelry Resources Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Shower Ideas Relationships Gift Ideas Tips & Advice About Us Our Team Company Info Testimonials Shipping Privacy Return Policy Product Templates Contact Us Proud Supporters of CCI and puppy raisers of Gretchen IV Welcome to Wedding Shower Gifts! Wedding Gifts , Wedding Accessories , Ring Bearer Pillows , Flower Girl Baskets , Bridal Jewelry , Wedding Cake Toppers , Wedding Tiaras and More! Wedding Keepsakes Ceramic Wedding Guest Books - Signature Platters Ceramic signature platters make unique wedding guest books . Guests sign a hand painted, personalized platter with a special black marker. Fire in your home oven for 30 minutes and you're done! We currently have four wedding guest books available: an oval platter, an extra large oval platter, a heart shaped platter, and a round platter. Great for wedding anniversaries , bar mitzvahs , retirement parties , family reunions and more! 3D Peeps™ Family Prints NEW!!! Brand spankin' new for 2005! A new concept in personalized gifts. Our 3D Peeps™ Family prints allow you to create an adorable shadow box using our large selection of hand drawn characters and accessories. Each figure is carefully created, cut out and layered using small pieces of foam for dimension. The finished product is sure to create smiles! Family Portrait Platters - Personalized, Hand-Painted Ceramic Platters NEW!! You are going to love our Family Portrait platters - everyone does! We custom paint up to 20 family members to your specifications on our lovely Italian platters. We personalize with names, inscriptions and personal details to make every figure look just like the real person. Select from our Family Picnic Portrait platters or our Bridal Party Portrait platters. Personalized Signature Photo Quilts The "Our Life Together" personalized signature photo quilts have space for up to 45 of your favorite family snapshots. Each photo is artistically altered and tranfered onto our lovely, soft cotton, handmade 53" x 70" throw quilts. The couple's names and dates are added to the center square which can be signed by all of your treaured wedding guests. Quilts are ready to ship between 2-3 weeks once we have received your photos! Custom Photo Quilts NEW!! You've been asking for them and now they're here! Custom photo quilts are made to order just for you in your choice of four sizes, many photo configurations, three photo treatments and twenty different fabric selections. Our largest king sized quilt holds up to 117 photos! These quilts take 4-6 weeks to be created and shipped once we receive your photos but they are well worth it. The perfect personalized gift for any member of your family. Family Tree Platters - Up to 26 Family Members NEW!! With space for up to 26 family members on our largest platter, the Family Tree Platters are a great way to display your growing family. Makes a great gift for parents, grandparents, or the bride and groom. Watercolor Paintings Based On Your Wedding Pictures Created using wedding pictures or engagement pictures sent in by the bride and groom, watercolor paintings make a unique and sentimental wedding gift idea. Watercolor wedding paintings make a great gift for the groom or gift for your parents . Wedding gift certificates are available! A great, last-minute gift idea! Purchase a gift certificate and let the recipient choose the pictures to recreate. Enter our gallery for samples of our work. Custom Wedding Figures Based on your Photos! NEW! We are pleased to bring you our new line of custom sculpted wedding figures. These adorable sculptures are hand created with polymer clay. Each head is maticulously sculpted to reflect personal facial characteristics. Simply provide us with detailed facial photos and our team of talented sculptors will do the rest! Personalized Signature Mat and Frame Kit Everthing you need to create a treasured wedding keepsake. Our large 16" x 20" frame comes in three color choices. Select a black or silver archival gel pen. Display a favorite 8" x 10" photo at the reception and collect the signatures and sentiments of your friends and family. When the big day is over, pop in the glass and hang! Personalized Photo Pillows Create a decorative accent pillow using your wedding or engagement pictures. Our custom personalized photo pillows make a creative gift for weddings, engagements, anniversaries and wedding showers. Gift certificates are a great last-minute wedding gift - allow the couple to choose their favorite wedding picture. Custom Photo Pillows NEW! So many choices! Our new line of Custom Photo Pillows allow you to select a favorite photo and have it printed in black & white, color or sepia tone on a handmade quilted pillow. The finished accent pillow is 18" square with a 2" ruffle in your choice of 20 fabric sets to match our custom quilts. Wedding Gifts Personalized 3-D House Pictures With room for up to 22 family members, the family name, street address and even the family pets, artist Elaine Rock's adorable handmade house pictures make perfect wedding gifts! These special creations also make unique wedding anniversary gifts. The whole family can be represented - right on down to the grandchildren. A Recipe For A Happy Marriage - Personalized Framed Print Created by artist Elaine Rock and personalized just for you! Our adorable 3-D Recipe For a Happy Marriage print is a recipe for success! This is a special gift perfect for anniversaries, engagements, bridal showers, housewarmings, weddings and birthdays. Personalized with the couple's names and wedding date, this handcrafted framed art will last a lifetime. Photo Shadow Boxes NEW! We start with your submitted photo, size it to 5 x 7, unsaturate it to black and white and print it on our dye-sublimation photo printer. Next, we add a touch of fun with a glossy, 3D heart placed just over the hearts in the photo. You select the inscription for the banner. Tiny hand drawn hearts adorn the mat. The photo is framed in our 8 x 10 black shadow box frame for a great gift. Wedding Accessories Ring Bearer Pillows We specialize in unique, handcrafted wedding accessories for the untraditional bride. Our wedding ring bearer pillows are custom sewn-to-order. Select your fabric, colors and accents to match your wedding colors . We have 20 styles to choose from or let your imagination run wild and let us create a one-of-a-kind style just for you. Wedding Flower Girl Baskets Sewn to match your wedding colors, our custom wedding flower girl baskets are almost as adorable as the little girl holding them. Our flower girl baskets can be made to match our wedding ring bearer pillows or created in your own unique style. Select from our huge assortment of colors, fabrics and accents to create beautiful keepsake wedding accessories you can pass down through the generations. Wedding Tiaras, Bridal Headpieces, Halos, Bridal Combs and Hair Sticks Our line of designer wedding tiaras, halos, combs and hair sticks will delight you. Available in a wide variety of styles and colors, you are sure to find a piece that is truly unique to you. Our hair sticks make great wedding accessories for your bridesmaid or flower girl. Swarovski Crystal Bouquets and Boutonnieres New for 2003, our designer crystal bouquets are available with many different configurations. Choose waterfall or straight handheld. Add creamy silk flowers for a touch of elegance. Select your wedding colors. Crystal bouquets make the perfect wedding accessories for the bride with allergies. When flower bouquets have been thrown away, crystal bouquets stay! Designer Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Bridal Jewelry for the Bride, Bridesmaids and Flower Girls Our line of designer bridal jewelry is made with genuine Swarovski crystal, Czech Republic glass, fresh water pearls and sterling silver. With a large assortment of gemstone colors including ruby, emerald, amethyst, diamond, peridot, sapphire and aquamarine, you are sure to find the perfect piece to match any wedding theme. Make sure you check out our line of designer Swarovski wedding tiaras and bridal headpieces to match. Our wedding accessories are created to order just for you! Wedding Accessories Bridal hair accessories, handbags and garters for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls and the mother of the bride. Create your own unusual wedding accessories by selecting fabrics in your wedding colors . Our unique wedding accessories can be found no where but here. Thank you for visiting WeddingShowerGifts.com Wedding Guest Books | Ring Bearer Pillows | Flower Girl Baskets | Wedding Pictures | Bridal Jewelry Wedding Tiaras and Bridal Headpieces | Wedding Garters | Wedding Accessories Signature Photo Quilts | Personalized House Pictures | Personalized Signature Frame Kit Bridesmaid Gifts | Wedding Gifts | Wedding Shower Gifts | Flower Girl Gifts Fresh Cut Wedding Flowers | Wedding Hairstyles | Wedding Colors | Wedding Reception Ideas | Bachelor Party Ideas Related Links | Awards *** We sell Anniversary Gifts , Birthday Gifts and Christmas Gifts Wedding Gifts and Wedding Accessories Home Our Company | Shipping | Privacy | Returns | Contact Us Reach us Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Pacific Standard Time at (888)216-GIFT (4438) or email us _

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Golf Gift Certificates available

LastMinuteGolfer - Father's Day Golf Gift Certificates TOUR TUESDAYS Schedule/ Details VIP MEMBERSHIPS Now Available TELL A FRIEND Win Masters Badges LASTMINUTEGOLFER SPONSORSHIPS Now Available FATHER'S DAY GOLF GIVEAWAY Share Your Favorite "Dad Golfing" Story and Picture Our Favorite Submission Will Win 5,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! Favorite Submission Winners! Um, Dad... You Mean He's Not a Real Tiger?? Dad on Ice Teachers of the Game Growing Up a Golfer We are proud to present the favorite submission winners of our first annual Father's Day Golf Giveaway . Thank you to everyone that submitted their "Dad Golfing" stories. We hope you enjoy these as much as we did. -Rick Hargett LastMinuteGolfer.com It's Never Too Late to Reward DAD! We have Golf Gift Certificates available in many of our markets. Please click on your city below to buy Dad golf this year and save up to 25%! ATLANTA CHARLOTTE DETROIT JACKSONVILLE RALEIGH SEATTLE Last Minute? Our Golf Gift Certificates can be printed or sent via email !! DADS - Be sure and drop the hint that a golf gift certificate would make the perfect gift. DAD GOLFING STORIES - PAGE 1 Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 A Young Golfers' Prayer When I took my 4 year old grandson on his first golf outing, we had a grand time playing his ball beside mine after we each hit. We practiced on the putting green (the little course) and rode the cart on the big course. That evening when I put him down to bed and had him say his prayers the normal prayer was modified somewhat to include the day's activities. Here is the modified prayer. Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep, the golf ball on the tee. Thy love be with me through the night And keep me safe till mornings light to ride the cart. Larry Kappel Grandfather of Micah Kappel (now 5+) LMG Comment: I'm sure many of us have said our own little prayer on the course! Teachers of the Game Favorite Submission Winner - 1,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! I don't have a favorite story, just a favorite experience with those that led me to this game and the lessons it teaches to all those that take it seriously. Two photos of the men that introduced me to golf are attached - they are George R. Tolar, my father, and George H. Tolar, my grandfather. Like so many fathers have done, my Dad had his old clubs cut down for my first set of "sticks" as he often calls them. I was around 11 years old. However, my father was not the teacher my grandfather was back then, so it was my grandfather that taught me the game during countless rounds on a short cut cow pasture called Red Oak Country Club in Red Oak, Texas. Twenty five years have passed since I took up the game, and I often wish I was a better golfer - or at least as good as my grandfather tried to teach me to be. But he was there to experience my first par, my first birdie, and my first sub-90 round. In turn, I received a lifetime of memories, timeless lessons, and experiences that will always be treasured. I can't stand over a putt without conjuring up that simple statement uttered by my grandfather so many times, "You can't make it if you don't get it there." They don't roll short very often because of that phrase echoing in my head. I snapped these photos in 2001 on the 17th hole of that old cow pasture course in Texas. My father is now 63 and my grandfather 87 - I knew this outing of just the three of us was something special. In fact it was, as the failing health of my grandfather has kept him off the course for quite some time. This was the last time we played the game together. Without their support, instruction, and time, I would not have such an appreciation for the game or the memories I carry with me every time I get my "sticks" and head out for the course. They are great fathers, teachers and friends. Bryan Tolar Douglasville, GA Father Figure I'm not sure if this will count as a true "Dad Golfing" story, but the person who truly introduced me to the game I have grown to love and could not live without was my "father figure" growing up. Because of a somewhat complicated family situation, I grew up with an absent father figure at home. My Uncle Tom gave me my first set of clubs. They were a set of Wilson clubs that his father had passed down to him. After about a month with my new clubs and some plastic practice balls, my Uncle Tom took me golfing at Pine Valley Golf Course. This was a 9 hole course in central Wisconsin with lots of pine trees. You didn't make tee times, you just showed up and put your ball in the rack. I remember using an orange ball, so it would be easier to see when our turn was up. I had really never taken a full swing with a real golf ball until I stepped up to that first tee. I didn't know much about golf etiquette and I was so new to the game that I wasn't even nervous off the first tee. I think I might have actually swung and missed on my first attempt, but I'll never forget the feeling I had of hitting my first golf ball off the first tee at Pine Valley. I was hooked! That day was a long one for me and probably even longer for my Uncle. I must have easily lost a dozen golf balls. My Uncle currently is about a 5 handicapper and probably was a 9 when he played with me that day. I can truly appreciate what he did for me now more than ever as I have taken my 12 year old son out to the course with me from time to time. He never harped on me or told me what I was doing wrong. He just let me play and offered encouraging words when I needed them most. I'm a 14 handicapper now and long for the day I break 80. I owe it all to my Uncle Tom who played Dad to me from time to time and gave me a gift that has lasted a lifetime. Pictured from left to right: My cousin Bill, my brother-in-law Randy, Uncle Tom, and me (Matt Vangalis), on a brisk Tallahassee morning of the Seminole Golf Course. Matt Vangalis Atlanta LastMinuteGolfer Member Dad on Ice Favorite Submission Winner - 1,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! I did not have a camera, but wish I did. It was early in the year and my Dad, brother and myself went to do 18 at Pebble Creek on 10 mile in South Lyon. If I remember the holes, it was the third hole is a par 3, with a fence on the left and a walkway on the right. There is water all in front of the tee box to the green. Close to the green and on the left side of the water, still had ice in the water. Well dad hits his first shot about 10-15 yards short of the green. And it lands on the ice, so naturally he hits a mulligan, to about the same spot. As we start walking up the path my brother and I notice dad going down the left side. As we approach the green, we look back and there is dad on the ice practicing hitting ball off the ice. He says well how do I know what its like hitting off ice if I don't practice first. First he picks up a few balls that some people were smart enough not to go get on the ice. Then he hits a few and then steps up to his ball. Before his club even hit the ice, down through he went. He throws his hands out and his club. Kicks his feet up onto the ice and rolls on the ice a few feet, then gets up. First we ask if he is ok, once he says yes, my brother and I start laughing so hard. Then there is two guys waiting to tee off in the box and they shout "if you are going swimming mind if we play through", that just starts the laughing all over again. Well we just pick up our balls and move on to the next hole. Dad sits down and empties the water out of his shoes and rings his socks. We ask if he wants to call it a day? And he says no he'll dry. So the next few holes he squished along and we all finished our 18. It was a classic day. Now we usually ask if we need to bring him a floatation device when we go golfing. Scott Burek Detroit LastMinuteGolfer Member My dads name is Rick Burek Stories Continued on Page 2 2005 Last Minute Tee Times, Inc. All Rights Reserved -- Legal --