Wedding gift ideas in Canada

Use the registry first

If the couple has a registry, start there. They made it so guests would not have to guess. Pick something from the middle of the price range and buy early, since the cheap items go first.

Off-registry gifts work when you know the couple well, or when you pick something that suits any home. A wool blanket, a serving board or a teapot set is hard to get wrong. Cash is normal at many Canadian weddings, and in some families it is expected. A card with a cheque and a small engraved board covers both.

Gifts that last

A wedding gift gets used for decades, so spend on things that age well. Our top pick in Canada is the Topsy Farms blanket, unbleached wool from a small Ontario farm, for the couple's bed or the cottage. Revolution Wool makes a similar Ontario blanket, and the Pendleton goes in the washing machine, which matters for a couple with pets.

For a couple who cook, the Staub cocotte and the Ichigo Ichie knife will outlast most of the furniture. A Knifewear card lets the cook in the couple choose their own blade. For bakers, the Emile Henry cloche gives a proper crust without a heavy pot.

Spending, shipping and mistakes

For a coworker or distant relative, $75 to $125 is normal. Close friends and family often spend more. For the Staub or a queen wool blanket, go in with friends.

The Anniversary Journal ships from a US shop and is priced in US dollars, so allow time and expect exchange costs. Engraved boards are made to order. Ship to the couple's home after the wedding rather than the venue. Glass travels badly, so check packaging before sending the LSA vase or the DAVIDsTEA set. Choose for how they live: wool needs gentle washing, and Japanese knives cannot go in the dishwasher.

Questions people ask

How much should you spend on a wedding gift?

It depends on how close you are. Coworkers and acquaintances usually spend $50 to $100. Close friends and relatives often give $100 to $200 or more. If you are paying for travel to a destination wedding, a smaller gift is fine. Group gifts let you give something bigger, like cookware or a wool blanket, without each person overspending.

Is it rude to buy a wedding gift that is not on the registry?

No, as long as it is useful and fits the couple. Choose things that suit any home: good glassware, a wool blanket, a baking dish or a serving board. Avoid strong decor, large appliances and anything personalised unless you know their taste well. Include a gift receipt so they can exchange it without having to ask you.

When should you send a wedding gift?

Ideally before the wedding or within a month after it. Ship to the couple's home rather than bringing it to the reception, where gifts can get lost or broken. If you bring a card to the venue, keep it slim. Some items here are made to order or on pre-order, so check lead times.

What is a good wedding gift for a couple who already live together?

They likely have the basics, so think upgrades. Swap a tired nonstick pan for an iron one, give a proper chef's knife, or add crystal glasses for the drinks they already make at home. A yearly anniversary journal or a travel gift card for a honeymoon trip also suits couples whose kitchen is already full.