cates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, comp

If you have been invited to a wedding shower and would like some ideas as to what to give the happy couple, here are some tips to get you started:

- A gift basket is always appreciated. Fill it with decadent chocolates or imported foods; fresh fruit or flowers, bridal registry items, or linens and towels for the couple.

- Give a day of indulgence with a gift certificate for a spa day for two. After weeks or months of busy planning and trying to please everyone around them, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness in helping them have some alone time to remember why they are doing all this!

- Give the couple the gift of a little romantic adventure with a gift certificate for a balloon ride, or perhaps a helicopter tour of your city or local beach or mountains...something unusual that they may not have thought to do themselves.

- Monogrammed items are a luxury item that all couples will appreciate. Have some towels, stationery or an elegant pen set monogrammed with the initials of the happy couple for a memorable and useful gift.

- For finicky couples or those who seem to already have everything they need, a gift certificate is always appreciated. Perhaps to a chic department store or boutique, or a nice restaurant. This way they can enjoy your gift at their leisure. Perhaps include a small personal gift or some flowers along with your envelope to add substance.

- A voucher for a day of cleaning or organizing will come in handy in the days or months following the wedding. Just look in your local yellow pages and find a company that sells gift certificates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, compi

two. After weeks or months of busy planning and trying to please everyone around them, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness in helping them have some alone time to remember why they are doing all this!

- Give the couple the gift of a little romantic adventure with a gift certificate for a balloon ride, or perhaps a helicopter tour of your city or local beach or mountains...something unusual that they may not have thought to do themselves.

- Monogrammed items are a luxury item that all couples will appreciate. Have some towels, stationery or an elegant pen set monogrammed with the initials of the happy couple for a memorable and useful gift.

- For finicky couples or those who seem to already have everything they need, a gift certificate is always appreciated. Perhaps to a chic department store or boutique, or a nice restaurant. This way they can enjoy your gift at their leisure. Perhaps include a small personal gift or some flowers along with your envelope to add substance.

- A voucher for a day of cleaning or organizing will come in handy in the days or months following the wedding. Just look in your local yellow pages and find a company that sells gift certificates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, comp

l that they may not have thought to do themselves.

- Monogrammed items are a luxury item that all couples will appreciate. Have some towels, stationery or an elegant pen set monogrammed with the initials of the happy couple for a memorable and useful gift.

- For finicky couples or those who seem to already have everything they need, a gift certificate is always appreciated. Perhaps to a chic department store or boutique, or a nice restaurant. This way they can enjoy your gift at their leisure. Perhaps include a small personal gift or some flowers along with your envelope to add substance.

- A voucher for a day of cleaning or organizing will come in handy in the days or months following the wedding. Just look in your local yellow pages and find a company that sells gift certificates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, comp

chic department store or boutique, or a nice restaurant. This way they can enjoy your gift at their leisure. Perhaps include a small personal gift or some flowers along with your envelope to add substance.

- A voucher for a day of cleaning or organizing will come in handy in the days or months following the wedding. Just look in your local yellow pages and find a company that sells gift certificates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, comp

cates, or pre-purchase several hours' worth and create a 'gift certificate' using an online template.

- Make a gift of matching his and hers items; tailor it to the couple. The possibilities are endless; golf items for golf-lovers, his-and-hers cosmetics or toiletries; scarves or jewelry...

- Give a personal gift that showcases the history of the bride- and groom-to-be. For example, compile a collection of photos of the two of them and have them framed, or if they met at a local landmark or event, get them tickets and souvenirs from that special time (for example, if they met at a baseball game, get them tickets to an upcoming game and matching baseball jerseys).

- If the couple are planning a honeymoon, buy them some traveler's checks. Weddings and honeymoons can be expensive, and a little extra spending money just for special things may be greatly appreciated.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The best thing to keep in mind is to really consider the personalities of the couple you are buying for, rather than what you yourself might like.

For a little extra gift for the bride, order the Wedding Planning Secrets guide available at Create-the-perfect-wedding.com, and help her save hundreds - possibly thousands - of dollars on her wedding. What could be a better gift?