My friend is getting married in August. Mid 50’s so the kids are mostly grown. She is one of my best friends, I’ve known her since I was 15.

I always figured I’d make her some end tables or something for a wedding gift if she got remarried but with my elbows that’s probably not happening.

I’ve come up with two ideas: Pendleton throw camp blankets or a Technivorm Moccamaster. Any opinions on either of those? Other than that I’d love some suggestions. There are 3 dogs in the house so I’m wondering if that would play hell with wool blankets.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 400m,

Wouldn't she have a wish list made out for things she needs or wants?

These are pretty specific gifts. Would your friend know what a Pendleton camp blanket or a Technivorm thingy is because I didn't until a Google search. Did she ever say she wanted end tables? Without knowing your friend it would be difficult to recommend a gift.

You honestly can't go wrong with money. Mid life adults getting married probably don't need to furnish a house or have a ton of new expenses.

Do they have a gift registry? In their 50s, I suppose most people don’t need much, but since she’s one of your best friends, I’m bet you’re going to know better than us what she would like.
What are her favorite hobbies - lean into that?

Gave a friend who was of age for her third marriage, a cut-crystal flower vase. She loved it. Something for the house that she would never buy for herself. Doesn't have to be Steuben, or anything extravagant, there is plenty of quality classic-looking glass coming out of Slovenia, and adjacent countries.

I've seen having the Wedding Invitation engraved on a plaque, a crystal type, I believe.

It seems to me like the best gifts are personal. By that, I don’t necessarily mean hand made specifically for the recipient (though that is fantastic). Rather, I mean something that they really want, need, or would greatly enjoy!

The Moccamaster sounds awesome to me, I love the one we have at home and the great coffee it makes. I have pondered getting a second for the airport crash pad we use when visiting family a couple of counties over. However, if she doesn’t give a toss about coffee or has a different machine that she really likes, it might not be such a great gift for her.

The Pendleton throw camp blankets might be a great thing if it is something that they’d use. Are they campers? If so, would they use for that, or would they be more of a home decor item?

I’d start by thinking about what is important to her, then look at her registry and see if that helps you find something that she will use which will be special to her. Either of the two ideas you mentioned may fit the list and be great, or you may land on something else that she might get more use out of.

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Originally posted by 400m:
There are 3 dogs in the house so I’m wondering if that would play hell with wool blankets.

My dog loves his wool blanket. It's the only one he hasn't turned into confetti.

Seriously, quality wool blankets are a great gift and something most folks don't buy for themselves.

You might check to find out whether she or her new husband are allergic to wool.

I hadn’t thought of a registry. Brain fart. I’m not sure if they enjoy camping but hanging out on the back deck or by their pool is frequent so that’s where the blanket idea came in.

The husband loves his Harley and she will probably get her M endorsement this year as well. I don’t know him very well but most of the men that will be attending the wedding will be wearing jackets of the leather variety. I’m pretty sure it’s a bunch of LE officers that are serious about riding.

I know she drinks a ton of coffee because she works her butt off running her business. I’m sure there will be another bourbon night at her house before the wedding. That will give me a chance to scope out what kind of coffee maker they use currently.

The vase or engraved plaque are great ideas. I’m not so sure the groom would get much use of it. Since I don’t know him well, I want to be sure that the gift is truly for both of them. He is a man of few words.
I’ll ask if he’s a coffee drinker and also find out about any wool allergies (good catch).

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Pendleton throw camp blankets

I spent $130 on a Keiki Company throw blanket as a gift to my wife.
It ended up in Milo's kennel on top of his mattress.
I thought for sure she would think it was special, but she didn't......
I never told her how much it cost.

She is pretty picky about that kind of stuff, home decor and all.
She drinks coffee, but I don't, I would never try to buy her a coffee maker.
Sure enough she would ask me why I bought THAT one.

I do understand wanting to give her something unique and special, but women can be hard to buy for.

Maybe an HD gift card for her to buy some HD merch.

Along with a traditional gift we include boxing gloves.

My FIL once gave my wife boxing gloves and said “Here, call it a marital aid”.

Well after doing some recon at bourbon night, a coffee maker wouldn’t be a good fit, nor would wool blankets. It looks like cash or a Harley Davidson gift card would be much better. Thanks for the suggestions.

I thought I’d just throw this out there after deciding on a great gift idea. The couple to be asked me last year if I had an extension ladder they could borrow. I didn’t have any way of getting it to them so I called a friend who lives near them and he brought one over to use for the weekend. I’m thinking a Werner Multi-position ladder would be perfect for them. It can be a 2 person A-frame, an extension, an uneven surface/stair ladder, and even a scaffold set. If you have any experience, pros/cons or suggestions about that type of ladder I’d love to hear it.

An extension ladder built for 2 no less! How freaking romantic can you get! Excellent idea, have fun wrapping that sucker Genius idea.