Your choice of a gift for the bridal couple can be
easy (registries), problematical (what you spend may be
influenced by how well you know them, or if youre
related), or adventurous (you try to make an original,
interesting selection). Here are some starter ideas:
- Something new at Tiffany & Co. looks
time-tested. Its the Arts and Crafts sterling silver
collection, including a four-piece tea set, which will
be at home with art nouveau, art deco, or similar
furnishings. The teapot ($9,500), creamer ($5,800) and
sugar ($5,800) all have nephrite jade finials; the pot
and creamer have angular cocobolo rosewood teak handles.
The tray ($3,200) is accented with copper rivets. If you
prefer, theres a coffee pot ($8,250). The opulence
continues with other items in the line, such as a vase
($8,500), candlestick ($1,150), or bowl ($7,450).
- A handpainted faience Harvest Platter ($199) from
the Cordon Bleu selection at Pierre Deux would be a good
choice for the couple whose tastes run to traditional or
antiques. This substantial dish (23 inches long) can be
put into service to serve a holiday bird, then displayed
on a wall with its pierced back at other times.
- Also appropriate for the newlywed antiquarians is
the Corinne chiming wall clock ($435) from Howard Millers
Camden Passage Collection. This 38-inch high quartz
timepiece is handpainted with floral patterns, including
gold detailing on a lightly distressed sage finish.
Roman numerals are painted. The dual chime movement
plays either Westminster or Ave Maria chimes, with
volume control and an automatic nighttime chime shut-off
option.
- The Empire Mirror ($455) by Carolina Mirror for
Winterthur, based on an 1830 antique at the du Pont
estate in Delaware, is a classic convex-curved circular
looking glass that will grace the couples first and
subsequent homes. It features neoclassical fluting and
capitals, topped with a shell design and detailed with
sculpted leaves and ferns.
- The Royal Albert Old Country Roses pattern is one
of the bone china classics from Royal Doulton, and there
are a number of decorative accessories to choose from,
including a 17-inch long three-part serving dish with
traditional trim pattern ($72), or the 9-inch long
cheese tray with spreader with an allover rose pattern
($37.50).
- Christofles Heart to Heart picture frame ($175)
is an appropriate spot for a photo of the newlyweds.
Holding a 3 1/2-inch square picture, the frame is
black-stained maple and silver, with engravable twining
hearts.
- Young couples especially are receptive to modern
oriental wares, such as the bamboo placemat set ($19)
that includes chopsticks and holder; squared dish
($7.99) and iron teapot ($16.99), all at T.J. Maxx.