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Kate is a senior editor covering home, registry, and wedding décor. She has been with Brides since 2015.
Kate is a senior editor covering home, registry, and wedding décor. She has been with Brides since 2015.
A couple's engagement calls for a celebration. While presents are not required, it's a nice gesture for friends and family to bring a gift to an engagement party or send something sweet to the happy pair when they announce their news. However, shopping for a gift for the newly engaged couple can admittedly be more complicated than shopping for the wedding gift itself.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options, from thoughtful, personalized presents to foolproof crowd-pleasers that are a universally safe bet—and at various price points. If the couple has set up their registry in time for the engagement party, New York City-based event designer and registry expert Jung Lee recommends choosing something from their list. "Take the same budget you would spend on bubbly and put it towards a special piece they'll have forever." A personalized piece of art or another item that commemorates the engagement is also something that the couple will treasure for years to come. It's also always good to show up to a party with something in hand, advises Victoria Della Torre of the San Francisco-based Etiquette Design Company. If you decide to splurge on some bubbly, she recommends gifting the couple accompanying Champagne flutes to make the gift special.
To help you find the perfect gift for the newly engaged, Brides editors researched dozens of items and even tested a few for ourselves. Our curated list features everything from thoughtful, personalized tokens to classic, enduring options. We made our final selection based on quality, thoughtfulness, and customization options.
This gorgeous mixing pitcher makes a great engagement gift for couples who enjoy entertaining and making cocktails. The pieces are made of durable borosilicate glass, which can withstand heat and cold. The mixer has a spout for easy pouring and a hint of pink at the base. The glass stir stick features contrasting colors at the ends for just the right amount of flair.
Volume: Not given | Dimensions: 7.25 x 4 x 4 inches
The new couple will have many occasions and "firsts" to celebrate in the upcoming months, so help them toast in style with this pair of Champagne flutes. The hand-blown glass not only makes the perfect clink, but it also looks stunning on their bar cart or table. This is truly a gift they'll enjoy for years to come.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 3 x 11 inches
This chic arcade backgammon set is the perfect gift for the stylish couple who likes to entertain. They'll appreciate the eye-catching design (inspired by the Colosseum) and the luxury details, which include solid acrylic pieces and a high-gloss lacquer box with a velvet liner. When the game isn’t being played, it folds shut to make a fantastic cocktail table décor piece.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 18.5 x 22.5 x 2.25 inches (open)
Glassware makes a thoughtful gift for a newly engaged couple, and this set from Material is a great choice. It comes in a set of four and includes versatile glasses perfect for everything from water to cocktails. You can choose from three colors to suit every style: malachite green, gray, and clear. The glasses are also dishwasher-safe and stackable.
Volume: 12.6 ounces | Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.11 inches
This charming set is a practical and fun gift for the newly engaged couple. They'll enjoy whipping up a farm-fresh meal from Fridays from the Garden, Flamingo Estate's renowned cookbook. The brand’s top-selling pantry staples, persimmon vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil are also included. You can also feel good knowing that this purchase contributes to their non-profit organization, Farmer’s Footprint.
Personalization: N/A | Volume: 13.8 ounces (vinegar), 16.9 ounces (olive oil)
These soft and gorgeous Terzo throw blankets make the perfect gift for their living room, bedroom, or cuddling up in a favorite chair. They are 100 percent cotton with a cozy basket weave pattern and a twisted fringe hem and are available in nine beautiful colors. For a personalized touch, they can be monogrammed with the couple's initials. Note that if you are monogramming, order well in advance since it can take four to six weeks.
Personalization: Initials | Dimensions: 51 x 71 inches
This French coffee press is a home run for the couple who loves coffee. Inspired by the Swedish royal prince Sigvard Bernadotte, it is made of mirror-polished stainless steel and adorned with fluting, perfect for anyone who admires Art Deco design. It's double-walled to keep coffee nice and warm and has an easy-to-clean stainless steel filter.
Volume: 1 liter | Dimensions: 6.3 x 8.74 inches
This 40-piece artisanal chocolate collection from Maison du Chocolat will impress even those with the most discerning taste buds. It features an assortment of dark and milk chocolate, featuring pralinés, infused with fruit, or left simply plain with all its chocolate glory. Made from the finest cacao, the collection is free of artificial colors, flavors, GMOs, or palm oil.
Possible Allergens: Gluten, nuts, milk, egg, peanut | Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.8 x 1.3 inches
Toast the happy couple with something fancy—this Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne will fit the bill. It has a crisp and fruity taste, with the fine bubbles giving it a light and celebratory feel. Made in the Champagne region of France, this dry wine isn’t too sweet, with the perfect flavors of green apple and citrus. You can gift it alone or with flutes and a gorgeous cheese board.
Size: 750 fluid ounces | Type: Dry champagne blend
Treat the newlyweds to a decadent and celebratory meal after the big day. And what feels more luxurious to eat than caviar? This option from iconic brand Petrossian delivers oversized caviar eggs obtained from a sturgeon's roe. The result is a mild creamy flavor that will satisfy their tastebuds.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 30 or 125 grams
She’s got the diamond and needs to keep it as shiny and sparkly as the day she got it. The sonic, vibrating brush is specially designed with unique bristle shapes to get into every nook and crevice. It also has a special clip that keeps your ring secure, so you never have to worry about it falling down the drain (the horror).
Colors: N/A | Includes: juli Original Brush, juli Original Brush Cap, juli Chamois, and juli Tonic Purifying Cleanser for Diamonds
Yes, olive oil and vinegar can be gift-worthy, and this set proves it. It comes with four cooking essentials: two different varieties of extra virgin olive oil, plus balsamic and champagne vinegar, all in beautiful bottles that don’t require any wrapping and look fancy on the kitchen counter.
Personalization: N/A | Includes: Awake Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Alive Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and more.
You can’t go wrong with a colorful set of mugs as an engagement gift. Made from tinted borosilicate glass, these durable mugs are microwave and dishwasher-safe. Choose from various fun colors, including yellow, blue, green, and two-toned options. Pair these with a bag of their favorite coffee or tea for a gift upgrade.
Volume: Not given | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 3.25 inches
Choose six bottles to gift the couple, select a unique tag for each one, and denote when they should open it. Think of options like "Just Married," "Valentine’s Day," "Let’s Celebrate," and more. It’s a sweet way to help them celebrate long past the engagement period and wedding day, and hopefully, they’ll think of you whenever they crack a bottle.
Personalization: Choice of milestone tags | Options: 3-pack, 6-pack
Turn the place where they got engaged into a beautiful piece of artwork for their home. We love that the miniature size of this piece makes it easy to place anywhere; it would look especially great on a side table or countertop.
Personalization: Text | Dimensions: 4 x 4 inches
This little dish may be the gift they treasure the most—it will help keep their engagement rings and wedding bands safe on the nightstand or beside the sink. Personalize it with the happy couple's initials and engagement date for a thoughtful touch.
Our tester liked the product's overall look and packaging. "There was a muslin cotton drawstring bag stamped with the brand's logo," she said. "It's a nice touch that makes the gift feel handmade and extra personalized." The site offers several customization and design options, ranging from minimalist letters to more ornate floral motifs. The tester appreciated that the dish was highly durable. "Since it's not made of traditional ceramic or glass, these dishes won't break in transit or if they get dropped on the floor." She even tried dropping it on the floor several times to test the strength of the material and was not disappointed.
Personalization: Text | Dimensions: Approximately 3 inches diameter
Regarding practical gifts, this one may take the cake. Between save-the-dates, wedding invites, and thank-you notes, the couple will have a lot of mail going out. Make their lives easier and help them streamline the process with this custom ink and stamp set featuring their return address.
When we tested it, we tried the stamp on various envelopes. "The font is beautiful and gives the envelope a vintage feel," observed one tester. "I like how the name is written in script, and the address is more of a typewriter style." She was also impressed with the ink pad in the package but wished the stamp had a case or a lid. "After a few uses, there is still some residual ink on the stamp, so I wouldn't want to store this stamp loosely in a drawer or cabinet," she said. "I would buy this as an engagement gift for a couple getting married or even a housewarming gift for a friend moving into a new home. It's a product that the recipient will get so much use from, even after the wedding."
Personalization: Name, address | Dimensions: Approximately 3 x 1 inches
Choose from three memorable locations—think the couple’s hometowns, where they met, where they live, or the wedding location to create a hand-crafted, map-inspired piece of art. You can even add custom text (such as the wedding date) to make it more personalized. It comes in various sizes and framing options at multiple prices, too.
"This wooden map print is very well made, and the print itself is clear," said one tester. "The wood is durable and doesn't feel like it would break easily." She personalized this print as a gift for her partner, featuring locations with important meanings for both. "I love how each mountain is shown with a detailed terrain map representing those special places," she said.
Personalization: Three cities, names, and special date | Dimensions: 8 x 8 to 20 x 24 inches
Couples will continue to be surprised by one another with this journal for two. Filled with daily prompts, it offers couples many ways to connect and ideas for spending time together. Cute, fun, and inspiring, this journal will keep communication going—essential for any relationship.
One tester reviewed this book and felt it was a good, budget-friendly gift for a couple. "It has a high-quality look and feel, but at under $12, it's very affordable," she said. The book contains many ideas and activities: "Lots of prompts mean that these pages will last you and your partner awhile."
The tester felt that some of the quotations and concepts in the book needed to be updated, but overall, it was a nice interactive experience to do with a partner. "Personally, this product was a little too cheesy for my taste, but I can see some people enjoying it," she observed.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 4.81 x 5.96 x 1.08 inches
Think ahead and give them this beautiful and functional storage system to house all their wedding keepsakes. It comes with everything they’ll need, from labels to drawers to envelopes, and looks much more beautiful than a cardboard box or plastic storage bin.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 13 inches
Surprise the newlywed couple with a personalized gift that they'll treasure forever. This show-stopping print features 30 of your favorite photos in a bold heart design—and it's possible to customize everything from the placement of the images to the size and frame of the finished piece. Go with the classic photo colors, or try out one of Minted's fun new finishes (black and white, blush, or rainbow) for a whimsical, retro look.
One tester customized this print with photos from her recent wedding. "The photos are laid out beautifully," she said. "The images are clear and do not show any bleeding of color or blurry edges." She mentioned that the heart-shaped arrangement meant that there was some overlap, but she was still able to see each picture well.
Personalization: Custom photos | Dimensions: 6 sizes, including 8 x 8 inches, 11 x 11 inches, and 16 x 16 inches
There will be plenty of time for framing wedding photos after the big day, we suggest popping one of the couple’s engagement photos into this sophisticated frame. The back features a sturdy easel for easy display and a clean and crisp design. It's perfect for pretty much any home décor style.
Personalization: Picture | Dimensions: 4 x 6 inches
We love this practical and personal gift that can help couples get packed up for the honeymoon with these convenient packing cubes. They come in three sizes and six colors and can be personalized with the couple’s new monogram.
Personalization: Embroidery | Dimensions: Small is 4 x 6 inches, etc.
A great way to commemorate the couple’s engagement, this custom print features a visual of the night sky at the exact location and time they got engaged. It’s both sentimental and makes for a super cool piece of wall art.
Colors: White, Light Gray, Sand | Sizes: 12, including twin set, queen set, and king set
Sure, countdown apps on your phone are convenient, but there’s something so fun about marking the days until the wedding in an old-fashioned way. This daily calendar is customized based on the couple’s wedding day and comes complete with a stand that makes it easy to display.
Personalization: Date, stand, and font | Dimensions: 4 x 4 inches
Why not give the couple something they can use on their honeymoon? This experiential gift is sure to be used well, whether they decide to use it on their newlywed adventures or for a pre-wedding weekend minimoon.
Help the soon-to-be spouses prepare for married life and elevate their cooking skills. This masterclass teaches all the kitchen basics they need to know, from learning techniques for cooking vegetables to making pasta from scratch.
You don't have to leave the house for a fantastic date night with your love. Instead, help the happy couple opt for a cozy night with this sweet book. It guides couples through questions, activities, and lists, and features over 75 prompts to spark conversation and intimacy. It's the ultimate at-home date night activity.
Personalization: N/A | Dimensions: 6.35 x 0.85 x 8.25 inches
An engagement party is a special celebration for the couple, usually held soon after announcing that they're getting married. Generally, an engagement party tends to be more informal than other wedding-related events and is a chance for friends and family to come together to toast the couple.
It's not required, but it's a good idea, especially if the couple is hosting you for the event. It can be as simple as a nice bottle of wine that they can toast together after the whirlwind of the engagement party is over or a gift card to a favorite restaurant. And remember to include a thoughtful card—sometimes a special note can mean more than any physical gift and is something they'll treasure forever.
The time frame is flexible if you're a couple looking to host an engagement party. It's a good rule of thumb to gather soon after the announcement. If you send an invite digitally or via mail, keep the guest list to family and friends you know will be invited to the wedding.
You don't have to bring a gift to an engagement party, but it is a nice gesture. Most people will spend more on the wedding gift from the registry than the engagement gift. If you bring an engagement gift, try to stay within your budget—even a small gift, such as a coffee mug, a bottle of wine, or a candle, are all appropriate.
Brides contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the most prominent magazines and websites. Her work has appeared in digital and print publications such as Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Allure. Senior Editor Kate Donovan contributed additional products and insights to this article.
Selfinking Automatic Date Stampers For this story, we tested a wide range of products in our Lab, evaluating items based on price, personalization options, and quality. We also looked for items we would choose for our homes or gifts to loved ones.