ChattyCathy wrote:
>Kalmia wrote:
>
>> Just in case anyone was wondering...... I have ordered 8 types of
>> Peets coffee beans,
>
>Risky. FWIW, that's not something I'd buy for people I don't know very
>well... Do you know if they possess a coffee grinder? IME, coffee is also
>very much subject to personal taste (even if they drink it at all). They
>might like one or two of the types you've chosen, but then again not.
>
>> a load of Penzey blends,
>
>Also risky. If they don't do much cooking the blends will go stale before
>they can use them up.
>
>> and will arrange it all
>> in a large, decorator box (reusable) with some new dishcloths as
>> 'excelsior'. The day before I present the gift, I will make a batch of
>> chocolate, almond biscotti and, if they are decent, I'll add those too.
>>
>They may find the dishcloths useful and enjoy the biscotti (if you decide
>to include some).
>
>Oh well, can't say you didn't try hard to get them something 'nice'.

Agreed. Giving a wedding gift especially to people I don't know I'd
not give anything too personal, certainly not where taste (literally)
is involved... if I felt it should be something culinary I'd give a
gift certificate for a major cookware emporium, such as one there they
can order on line, probably Williams-Sonoma... they're high class,
give excellent service, and contrary to what many think their prices
are comparable plus they do have great sales, I've purchased many high
end items there for less than half what everyone else charged.
Williams-Sonoma outlet stores have fantastic buys, too bad I no longer
live near one. I think gift certificates are appreciated wedding
gifts no matter at what age the couple, no one is too old to
appreciate money. I try to make a concious effort to never gift
someone something that I would like for myself, unless it's toys for
children... I love shopping for kids toys, in fact I buy toys just to
have in case an occasion arises, I have a whole drawer full of various
toys, children's books, art supplies, work books, etc... last things I
bought for my collection were a couple of Horner harmonicas and two
old fashioned metal Slinkys, eventually some kids will get them. For
newborns (when I know the parents) I always have Tiffany & Co. send a
silver child's drinking cup with the child's name and birth date
engraved on it, that's my signature gift for newborns... I never give
parents a gift for making a kid, they had all the fun. I would never
give any food item as a wedding gift... that's just plain tacky, and
very juvenile... a coffee or spice assortment is something I might
send my brother for no occasion whatsoever except to try something I
found that I thought he may like too... I wouldn't send him spice
blends because I know he doesn't cook, he makes reservations... but I
know he considers himself a coffee maven so I may take the risk...
actually he usually sends me coffee because his son manages a
Starbucks so he gets more free coffee than he can ever use... my
brother says he doesn't drink Starbucks because it's garbage, I see
nothing terrible about their beans, I've never in my life been to a
Starbucks so I can' comment on what they brew. But I listen for
hints, like when he said he was getting into smoothies so I sent him a
Kitchen Aid blender... not something I'd give as a wedding gift,
giving a blender or a toaster is like giving mom a new vacuum cleaner
for Mother's Day. For wedding gifts I'm very old fashioned, I always
give cash... Kalmia's beans and spices had to have set her back at
least $100, more with shipping. I would have put a check for $100
made out to the couple in an envelope and during the affair handed it
to the bride... there is no wedding gift more classy than money... in
fact you can give half as much than you'd spend on a gift and cash is
still classier and better received... 99 times out of 100 those spices
and beans will be regifted, plain given away, or more likely sampled
and tossed into the trash... two days after the wedding Kalmia's gift
will have been totally forgotten/dismissed... that's what occurs when
someone transfers their personal values onto others, however no one
has outgrown/given away my Tiffany & Co. engraved silver cups.