15 Unique & Sustainable Wedding Gift Ideas for Every Budget

Weddings are certainly one of the happiest and most memorable life events for a young couple just beginning their lives together. Two families are joined together by the young couples love, many celebrations take place as the wedding approaches and then the big day arrives in all its glory – sacred vows, dinner, dancing and lasting memories carry the day.

But, is there a downside to these traditions? Ah yes, the “gift opening” that usually awaits a young couple following their return from a romantic honeymoon.  Ready to start nesting in their new place, many couples look forward to the bountiful gifts their friends and family have showered upon them.  These are the gifts that will help get their nest outfitted with essential housewares items at a time when often they have few resources of their own to start a home. When the last piece of wrapping paper hits the floor, the couple gazes upon all of their new found goods, trying to decide what they will do with four toasters, 3 sets of unmatched wine glasses and pieces of china and dinnerware from five different sets, none of which is complete, and then of course there is the pile of towels and linens of too many different designs to mention. How do you create the home of your dreams when nothing matches your style or goes together? NØRDIK's Wedding Registry is the answer!

History of Wedding Gifts

Wedding gifts from guests have not always been a tradition.  Up until the 1920s, guests did not bring gifts as the couple was initially sustained by the dowry provided by the bride’s family - going back as far as 3000 BC! Then came the “Hope Chest” which unmarried women used to collect items they would need later in life after they were married.  During the 1920s, the Marshall Field Department stores popularized the idea of wedding gift registries in America and the rest is history!   

As stressful as it is to be a wedding guest - finding the perfect wedding outfit and deciding how you will get along with Aunt Jane after a few glasses of champagne, you still have to decide what to give the happy couple for a wedding gift!!  Who wants to be the person to give that second toaster?

NØRDIK's Wedding Registry

A wedding registry is the perfect way for the bride and groom to let their friends and families know what their style is and what they truly need to make their new nest a home!  It also alleviates the stress felt by guests when trying to choose that perfect gift for the newlyweds.  With NØRDIK’s wedding gift registry, you can give them exactly what they want!

At NØRDIK we are proud of our new wedding registry!  Brides & Grooms – create and manage your registry with NØRDIK using our simple web application.  Guests – search for registered couples with NØRDIK and give them exactly what they asked for! We have also partnered with The Knot wedding planning service! 

Not sure what to put in your gift registry?

Here are 15 perfect wedding gifts to line your nest with recommended by NØRDIK:

1.  Award-winning wine glasses: Essence Collection

Beautiful lead-free, mouth-blown crystal with a thin lip for sipping, rarely found in lead-free glass! The Essence collection also brings a simple yet elegant design. Choose from wine glasses, tumblers, beer glasses, champagne glasses or cocktail bowls and even sherry glasses and decanters! Shop Iittala Essence glassware >

2.  Iconic design: Alvar Aalto vase

Dating back to its first presentation at the 1936 Paris World Fair, this vase is still created by a team of seven skilled glass blowers and is one of the most well-known Finnish products ever produced! Shop Aalto vases >

3.  Unique design: Ultima Thule dessert bowls

Inspired by the melting ice in Lapland, these lead-free, mouth-blown bowls bring a mystical feel to your table setting, living up to the meaning of their name "a distant unknown region; the extreme limit of travel and discovery."  A truly meaningful gift to help the newlyweds entertain! Shop Ultima Thule dessert bowls (set of 2) >

4.  Timeless design: Kartio Collection

This simple yet functional glassware design has been in style since 1958 - a true classic!  Made from durable, pressed lead-free glass, these are a perfect choice to start out your tableware setting and come in different sizes for every entertaining need.  They also come in seven colors to suit every taste! Shop Kartio glassware >

5.  For the foodies: Stylish Aprons

Nothing better for a young couple than to spend time bonding in the kitchen, creating beautiful food while wearing these super stylish aprons - styles for men and women!  These full or waist aprons are made from a European linen/cotton blend and printed with water based ink. The groom will be proud to shows his animal spirit apron with fox, elk or bear! Shop aprons >

6.  Functional every day design: Teema Collection

Without question the most versatile tableware collection available for a young couple needing to fill their cupboards for the first time!  Featuring dinner and salad plates, soup bowls, pasta bowls and even coffee mugs. Their simple design also allows them to be used with other serving sets. Teema is not just pretty, but highly functional - oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe!  Teema even offers a 16 piece starter set - nothing could be easier to choose! Shop Teema tableware >

7.  Fun coffee mugs: Moomin

Kids (and adults) of all ages love the quirky Moomin characters!  Adventuring since 1945, the little Trolls from Moomin Valley are featured in action on these colorful vitro-porcelain mugs!  There is a character to match every bride and groom!  These are right-sized for coffee or tea and are oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe! Shop Moomin mugs >

8.  Midcentury modern classic: Kastehelmi Collection

 Oiva Toikka's Kastehelmi collection is one of the most versatile collections offered by Nordik!  Inspired from dew drops and made from pressed, lead-free glass,  Kastehelmi offers tealight holders, tumblers, serving bowls, footed bowls, vases, cake stands, dinner plates and serving plates in many colors to suit all tastes! Shop Kastehelmi tableware >

9. Objects of art: Birds by Toikka

Truly one of Ittala's most unique collections by one of Finland's greatest designers!  Birds by Toikka offers more than 30 different bird designs in a multitude of sizes and colors.  These treasures are made from mouth-blown glass and will be the centerpiece of any home's decorative displays! Shop Birds by Toikka >

10. Eco-friendly home accents: wooden creations from Lovi Finland

Lovi birch plywood 3D figures are a perfect gift to add some whimsical charm to any home!  More than 30 designs to choose from including forest animals, birds, trees and even Moomin Trolls! Shop Lovi wooden creations >

11. Sustainable linen: luxurious 100% linen blankets and bath towels

Blankets and bath towels are a must-have for every new household - nothing beats 100% European "Masters of Linen" Certified Lapuan Kankurit blankets and towels. These linens get softer the more you use and wash them and will last a lifetime if properly cared for!  A great choice for couples who are environmentally and economically aware. Shop throws and blankets >

12. Future baby: ultra soft Moomin blanket

Brushed organic cotton is the perfect textile to swaddle babies and youngsters! Add designs featuring all of the Moomin Valley characters and you have a lovely gift that will bring warmth and happiness throughout childhood! Comes in three colors! Shop Moomin baby blanket >

13. Zen home: Teemu Järvi art  

New homes often have lots of empty walls - bring the wilderness indoors with Teemu Järvi artwork!  Printed on environmentally friendly FSC certified paper, Teemu Järvi features a forest full of animal illustrations from hares to bears and squirrels to seals! Unique Oak poster frames capture the simplicity of these expressive art pieces! Shop Teemu Järvi art prints >

Photo credit: These Four Walls 

14. Kitchen essentials: linen tea towels 

Not just for tea, these linen and linen/cotton blend towels bring beauty and function to any kitchen or table setting.  Aapiste, Lapuan Kankurit, Kauniste and Ekelund offer a multitude of designs and colors to fit any taste or kitchen design. Shop tea towels >

15.  NØRDIK Gift Card

Eliminate the stress of trying to discern the perfect wedding gift and "gift" a Nordik Gift card - let them choose the pieces, styles and designs they truly want = simple! Shop gift cards >

We love to be part of your special moments! 

There is a story behind every design at NØRDIK!