So you’ve glanced at their wedding registry and haven’t found anything on there that works with your taste or budget.  Or you waited but know that you don’t care to give an asparagus steamer, a pizza stone or a vacuum cleaner.  Instead, you want to send something more just for them, extraordinary and thoughtful.  The question is how do you find something they’ll appreciate if it’s not on their registry?

Go broad. You might offer money or a gift card from their home remodeling store.  This way you ensure they’ll be able to buy something they truly need or start a stash for the house or honeymoon they’ve been saving for.

Be thoughtful.  Create a book of memorabilia of their life as a couple and leave a pad of blank pages for them to keep going.  Or have their wedding picture or wedding menu framed.  Give them that gift that will outlast a bottle of wine and mean more to them than an appliance.

Get Handy with DIY.  A beautiful piece created to delight their special decorating tastes is always appreciated. Maybe you know a local artist.  The newlyweds will be able to enjoy looking at it for years and remember it as something made only for them.

Pass it down.  If you have bracelets and earrings, an antique broche or other family treasure, this would be the time to pass it down.  You can keep an old family tradition remembered, or create a new one.

Honeymoon help.  A new pair, just starting out, will certainly appreciate when one offers financial aid with their honeymoon getaway.  Realtives will have information, so you can keep things quiet until the wedding.  You may be able to financially help with their limo or send them a gift certificate for a vacation spot that they selected as a surprise wedding gift.

Give them what they like.  If this couple knows about wine, consider signing them up to be a member of their favorite winery.  Wineries can send anywhere from 2 bottles or more each month.  This way the honeymooners can celebrate their happiness and give a toast to you for providing them such a wonderful present.  If they are big golfers, get them a certificate.  Because weddings are overwhelming events for everyone involved, a couples spa visit is usually a hit.

Maid services.  If this couple hates to clean, then a gift certificate for a house keeping service would be an outstanding non-wedding registry gift.

The best gift is generally a personal one. And that requires some thought, which is what makes that kind of gift memorable.  Think creatively and think about what makes this couple unique, and you’ll find the perfect gift they didn’t list.

A professional writer on all things baby, wedding, and parenting, Criss White has written many articles.  For more original ideas for wedding presents, check out unique wedding favors.