Everyone loves the thrill of the engagement. Families call each other, congratulations are passed around, and future in-laws get to know each other and begin to form bonds. The engagement is followed up by the wedding, where gifts of all kinds are showered on the bride and groom.
A recent study was published as part of a joint project between the American Bridal Association and the London Retailers Association. While the study investigated a host of topics, one of those topics looked at was the subject of gifts. Retailers want to carry those gifts that will have the most lasting value, which in turn, they theorized, would grow ever-popular to give as wedding gifts. Jewelry was, not surprisingly, the #1 answer. But once you remove the top tier of gifts from family and the intimate partner, the true retail results emerge. Holding the #3 spot were wedding Christmas ornaments that in some way celebrate the couples' union. Reasons cited include: heart-felt sentiment, evokes emotion of that special day, lasting value (non-consumable), and becomes family heirloom.
There are ornaments that specifically celebrate the wedding of 2 people, and then there are also "our first Christmas ornament" gifts. Both are similar, but the latter has less to do with the actual ceremony, and is more oriented to the togetherness enjoyed by the couple up through and on Christmas day.
You can find a beautiful selection of both on the web. To make it exceptionally valued, the study result indicate that a personalized engagement, wedding or anniversary ornament is at the top of the list.
