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Updated Mar 06, 202525 Wedding Gifts for Parents to Give on the Big Day (or Shortly After)
It's time to thank your biggest supporters for all their help.
Photo: Etsy; Design: Tiana Crispino for The Knot
While it's customary to give thank-you gifts to wedding guests, we encourage you to take the time to find something equally meaningful for your biggest fans: your parents.
Choosing wedding gifts for parents is one of the best ways to show your appreciation for all the wisdom, guidance and support they've provided over the years. After all, they've been by your side since day one, so they deserve something special that says: "Thank you for everything."
Wondering how to let your folks know just how grateful you are? We'll help you find thoughtful wedding party gifts that express your gratitude and love. From practical picks they can use daily to sentimental keepsakes that'll bring back special memories, here are our favorite gifts to give parents on the wedding day (or shortly before or after).
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1. Custom-Etched Wine Bottle
Photo: Mano's Wine
Here's a toast-worthy gift idea for your parents on the wedding day. This personalized wine bottle—filled with California cabernet sauvignon—honors your nuptials in a creative way. Customize the bottle with your wedding details, including your and your partner's names, the event date and location. Your parents will receive a thoughtfully etched and hand-painted memento of one of the most important days in their child's life.
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2. Sentimental Art Print
Photo: WordsWorkPrints
For a meaningful parent wedding gift that'll leave them teary-eyed, this customized tree print captures the moment you and your new spouse officially fled the nest. The print comes with a sweet saying: "There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. Thank you for giving us both." It's a lovely present to give at the rehearsal dinner or on the day of the wedding.
3. Personalized Wedding Photo Album
Photo: Artifact Uprising
After your wedding photos are ready, invite your parents over to check them out. Take mental notes of the ones they love most, then create a customized photo album just for them to keep. While this photo gift can't be presented on the wedding day itself, it'll be worth the wait—it's a sentimental wedding gift idea your parents will treasure forever.
4. Heart-Shaped Bamboo Plant
Photo: Plants.com
How about a cute plant for your favorite pair? Present them with this heart-shaped bamboo to convey your gratitude and add to their houseplant collection. This thoughtful wedding gift to your parents is considered a traditional symbol of luck and good fortune—a worthy sentiment to impart to your ever-generous 'rents.
5. Parent Dance Song Print
Photo: BasketfulOfGrace
If you're planning dedicated parent dances, you can always use those moments as inspiration for your gifts. This Etsy artist makes custom prints by pairing the parent-child dance song lyrics with treasured family photos. All you have to do is choose your preferred size and frame, then submit the details (like the song name and your favorite snapshot from the big day). The end result is a heartfelt wedding gift for parents that'll pull on their heartstrings.
6. Monthly Coffee Subscription
Photo: Atlas Coffee Club
Subscription gifts are a lovely way to show your appreciation, as they keep the good vibes coming for months. If your parents can't start the day without a fresh cup of joe, why not sign them up for a monthly coffee delivery? They'll receive an assortment of premium coffee from all over the world, in addition to postcards from each country, brew tips and flavor notes. We have a good feeling they'll be renewing this gift after trying it out.
7. Toffee-Tasting Set
Photo: Uncommon Goods
Have your parents got a sweet tooth? If so, they'll love sampling this selection of delicious handmade toffee. The tasting set includes six different flavors, like spicy pecan, cinnamon cashew, coconut almond, hazelnut espresso, bourbon walnut and salted peanut. Each variety comes in a mason jar tied with ribbon for a thoughtful presentation.
8. Celebrity "Thank You" Video
Photo: Cameo
If you're not sure how to thank your parents, have their favorite celebrity do it for you! Cameo lets you book personalized shout-outs from famous musicians, reality TV stars, professional athletes and more, so you're sure to find a celeb they really love. Our advice? Have the camera ready so you can capture their surprised reactions to this fun and thoughtful gesture. Trust us, it's a wedding thank-you gift for parents they'll be talking about for ages.
9. Custom Parent-Child Illustration
Photo: Lilies And Marbles
A custom illustration of you with your parents is sure to bring all the feels. This made-to-order digital file is based on details you submit (like hairstyle, hair color and skin tone) for a creative alternative to a traditional photograph. Once you receive the downloadable file, you can print it off on high-quality paper and have it framed for a display-worthy finish. How's that for a unique wedding gift for your parents?
10. Cozy Bathrobes
Photo: Brooklinen
Cozy bathrobes make great wedding gifts for parents, as they can wear them on the morning of the wedding when they're getting ready. Brooklinen's robes are the definition of luxury: They're made from ultra-soft Turkish cotton and come in a variety of colors, so you're sure to find a shade to suit their tastes. Practical, thoughtful and stylish—why wouldn't you splurge on a pair of these gorgeous robes for your folks?
11. Online Cooking Class
Photo: Uncommon Goods
Experience gifts are another great option, especially if your parents already have everything they need. This online cooking class will get their creative juices flowing and set them up for a relaxing (and romantic) evening together after all the wedding festivities. During the 90-minute tutorial, they'll learn how to make homemade farfalle with marinara sauce—a classic Italian dish that's sure to tickle their tastebuds. It's easily one of the best wedding presents for parents who love cooking and sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal together.
12. Personalized Cutting Board
Photo: CJKEngraving
How sweet is this personalized wooden cutting board? It's shaped like a heart and engraved with a thoughtful message of your choosing (think: a note expressing your heartfelt thanks or a meaningful quote from your favorite poem or song). Simply select the style of the board (there are tons of other shapes available) and fill out the details for your customized message. You'll receive a proof image before the piece is engraved to ensure you're happy with the design.
13. Fancy Jam Sampler
Photo: V Smiley Preserves
These fancy jams are another great gift idea for your foodie parents. They're made by V Smiley Preserves, a small-batch maker in Vermont that only uses the finest fruits, honey and herbs to craft their blends. This pack includes three different flavors—raspberry redcurrant geranium, cherry rosehip hibiscus and lavender blackberry rhubarb—which are delicious on everything from homemade pancakes to toast.
14. Sentimental Framed Photo
Photo: Framebridge
Dig up a cherished childhood photo of you with your parents or wait until your wedding images are ready and pick out your favorites—like a snap of you getting ready together the morning of your wedding. Have your chosen image professionally framed in a finish that matches their home decor, then include a handwritten thank-you card to accompany the gift. It's a classic wedding gift idea for parents of the bride, groom or marrying partner.
15. Artisanal Olive Oil Set
Photo: Brightland
These popular bottles of olive oil live up to the hype for two reasons: They can be used in a variety of dishes and they come in cool, display-worthy bottles. This set includes two of Brightland's most popular flavors—one which is perfect for roasting and sautéing and the other for drizzling over salads, fresh greens and bread. Practical and thoughtful, it's a wedding gift for parents that stands out for all the right reasons.
16. Family Photo Calendar
Photo: Artifact Uprising
Your wedding may be the event of the year—but the fun (and the feels) don't have to end when the celebrations are over. Gather 12 of your favorite images from the big day to create a chic calendar to give to your parents. Choose from a variety of styles, including wall calendars and brass easel designs, for a sweet keepsake they can display in their home. Now, they can relive each memory all over again during the year ahead.
17. Fragrant Lemon Tree
Photo: Uncommon Goods
Still wondering what to get your parents for a wedding gift? This luscious lemon tree is a cut above the zest. It's cultivated on a farm in Florida and produces aromatic flowers when placed in a sunny window. The blooms grow into juicy lemons that your folks can pick to spice up their favorite drinks, desserts and condiments. Just a note: Express shipping is required to ensure the plant arrives safely, and restrictions may apply for delivery to certain states.
18. Personalized Crystal Vase
Photo: Personalization Mall
A pretty vase is another great wedding gift idea for your parents. This one is crafted from crystal glass and already comes engraved with a sweet message that reads: "Always Caring, Always Giving, Always Loved." Add up to two lines of custom text, like your names or a short note of appreciation, and fill it with fresh flowers before handing it over.
19. Custom Passport Holders
Photo: VITTcustomSTUDIO
If they're making the trip to your destination wedding, here's a fun and thoughtful parent wedding gift idea to aid their journey. These leather passport holders come in an array of colors and can be customized with gold or silver monograms for a personal touch. It's a practical gift that'll help them keep important travel documents safe, plus they can use it again and again after the wedding.
20. Luxury Scented Candle
Photo: Rituals
This stunning candle from Rituals will look so lovely on your parents' coffee table or nightstand. It has a sweet jasmine fragrance with notes of citrus fruits, berries and peony, along with three wicks for maximum scent distribution. This luxurious gift comes in an elegant gold-stamped jar and can be burned for up to 70 hours, so they'll get to enjoy it for a long time. Give it to them before or shortly after the big day to help them unwind.
21. Wine Gift Box
Photo: Harry & David
Send your parents this wine gift box a couple of days after the wedding. They helped you plan your big day, so now it's your turn to help them organize a special evening just for the two of them. It includes a bottle of white wine (there's also an option for red) and a selection of tasty snacks, like white cheddar cheese, pepper and onion relish, roasted almonds and seeded crackers. They'll enjoy sipping and snacking while reliving all the best memories from the wedding.
22. Cashmere Throw Blanket
Photo: Quince
This cozy throw blanket will add a luxurious touch to your parent's living room. It's made from ultra-soft cashmere that's sustainably sourced from Mongolia and comes in a variety of timeless colors, including camel, ivory and gray. We can't think of a better thank-you gift for parents who love updating their home with stylish accessories.
23. Relaxing Cabin Getaway
Photo: Getaway
While the build-up to the wedding is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process, it can also be pretty exhausting. Treat your parents to a relaxing getaway to help them recharge after all the hype has died down. Getaway offers cozy, intimate cabins located only a couple of hours away from major cities (like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles), so they can quickly escape the hustle and bustle for a few days. It's one of the best wedding gifts for parents who are always on the go or rarely get time to themselves.
24. Custom Message Shortbread Cookies
Photo: Uncommon Goods
You don't always have to splurge to find really good parent gifts for the wedding day. These cute cookies are guaranteed to put a smile on their face, whether you hand them over at the rehearsal dinner or the morning of the wedding. The box includes 24 vanilla shortbread cookies, each displaying your chosen message for a sweet treat they can savor with a cup of coffee or tea.
25. Embroidered Handkerchief
Photo: ABitOfAlexandria
If you're planning on giving your parents special tokens ahead of the wedding ceremony, opt for these sweet custom-embroidered handkerchiefs to wipe away their happy tears. You can write your own message thanking them and telling them how much they mean to you. Choose from a range of edge designs, like scalloped, floral or thin lace, for an heirloom gift they'll treasure forever.
