To engrave gifts or not?

Got my mum a silver bangle and my bridesman a watch for their thank you gifts. Is it necessary to have a message engraved?  I asked my mum about the watch, she says yes, but other people I have asked think it is a bit old fashioned. What is everyone here doing? 

We're having hip flasks engraved with their nick names didnt really want our wedding date or names on them as they wouldn't be used! 

It depends what you are thinking of having engraved on there?? For example I don't think I would wear anything that would have another couples name or wedding date on it after the wedding,  But would keep it as a keepsake. 

I'm doing my BMs a goodie bag which will have one engraved item of a glass photo frame, not sure exactly what I'm going to engrave on it yet, probably 'thank you for being our bridesmaid'.

And our BM we are getting a hunting knife and having it engraved with 'best man for the job'

As funky said it depends what you get engraved but I'd personally avoid your names and wedding date.

xMissyLoux:

I'm doing my BMs a goodie bag which will have one engraved item of a glass photo frame, not sure exactly what I'm going to engrave on it yet, probably 'thank you for being our bridesmaid'.

And our BM we are getting a hunting knife and having it engraved with 'best man for the job'

As funky said it depends what you get engraved but I'd personally avoid your names and wedding date.

This is exactly what I was unsure about...  seems a bit weird, I have never kept favours and gifts with a couple's name and date on. As my mum reckons that is the 'done' thing so may put it on her bangle, but just put 'cheers duck' on my bridesman's watch. Thanks folks.

pandorasbox:

This is exactly what I was unsure about...  seems a bit weird, I have never kept favours and gifts with a couple's name and date on. As my mum reckons that is the 'done' thing so may put it on her bangle, but just put 'cheers duck' on my bridesman's watch. Thanks folks.

I've not heard that it's the 'done' thing. I think what does it matter anyway do 'your' thing. I love the 'cheers duck' idea as I assume this is a pet name or something you both say a lot! It's personal, more personal than your names and wedding date! Could you not do something similar for your BM bangle? Or go with 'thank you' or 'bridesmaid' or something?

xMissyLoux:

pandorasbox:

This is exactly what I was unsure about...  seems a bit weird, I have never kept favours and gifts with a couple's name and date on. As my mum reckons that is the 'done' thing so may put it on her bangle, but just put 'cheers duck' on my bridesman's watch. Thanks folks.

I've not heard that it's the 'done' thing. I think what does it matter anyway do 'your' thing. I love the 'cheers duck' idea as I assume this is a pet name or something you both say a lot! It's personal, more personal than your names and wedding date! Could you not do something similar for your BM bangle? Or go with 'thank you' or 'bridesmaid' or something?

Only my mum says it's the done thing to have dates etc on! She is quite traditional, so her bangle can be engraved as 'Beautiful Mother of the Bride 5/8/12' or similar, my bridesman and I call each duck all the time so he will laugh at it if I engrave that on his watch, and thankfully no BMs to worry about! OH is sorting his blokes gifts and has gone for the sort of traditional engraved beer glass, but because he only paid a tenner for them off ebay has some spare cash and funking it up a bit by treating them to some personalised Converse. Bit steep imo but it's his call.

pandorasbox:

Only my mum says it's the done thing to have dates etc on! She is quite traditional, so her bangle can be engraved as 'Beautiful Mother of the Bride 5/8/12' or similar, my bridesman and I call each duck all the time so he will laugh at it if I engrave that on his watch, and thankfully no BMs to worry about! OH is sorting his blokes gifts and has gone for the sort of traditional engraved beer glass, but because he only paid a tenner for them off ebay has some spare cash and funking it up a bit by treating them to some personalised Converse. Bit steep imo but it's his call.

Oh sorry my bad pandorasbox. I don't know why I though the watch was for a bridesman and bangle bridesmaid, I understand now why you're going to get the bangle 'traditionally' engraved for your mum! I like that idea though  'Beautiful Mother of the Bride 5/8/12'

Our are getting hip flasks with retro pin-up girls on so there's no room for engraving. Plus I think it would put people off using the items if they have engravings on x

It really depends on who the gift is for, if it will be "used" afterwards or not.  We stock a range of gifts that can be engraved any way you want.  Just a "thankyou" or anything else at all really that you like.  You would choose, you can even have the item plain not personalised.

Some people like to have engraved items (with wedding dates on, or just a little message) others prefer the items just as they are.  It really is your choice

Every fortnight until the end of May we will be giving away a £20 voucher that can be spent on anything on our website. All people need to do to be in with a chance of winning is 'like' our facebook page. The page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Engraving-Excellence-Beautiful-personalised-gifts-for-any-occasion/149150048487540.

I think it depends what you would engrave.  On the back of a watch would be ok as no-one will see that when he wears it, but on a bangle, if it can be easily seen, will your mum wear it again?  I've not got anything engraved for my BMs as I wanted them to be able to use things again, not just the one day they are my bridesmaid.

We are having our gifts engraved, but with a thank you message as opposed to our names/wedding date.

maxinegallie:

I think it depends what you would engrave.  On the back of a watch would be ok as no-one will see that when he wears it, but on a bangle, if it can be easily seen, will your mum wear it again?  I've not got anything engraved for my BMs as I wanted them to be able to use things again, not just the one day they are my bridesmaid.

I will get it engraved on the underside of mum's bangle, so she could wear it again without it having a message on show. I know she won't probably wear it on the day anyway as it is silver to match her Mackintosh style silver cross which never comes off, but she will probably pick out gold jewellery for on the day as her MOB dress has gold tones.

Hopefully my bridesman will wear his watch on the day or some other time, but if not then I know his partner will wear it as he helped me choose it! And 'thanks duck' luckily applies to both of them

pandorasbox:

Hopefully my bridesman will wear his watch on the day or some other time, but if not then I know his partner will wear it as he helped me choose it! And 'thanks duck' luckily applies to both of them

Just out of interest pandorasbox, what watch did you get? I'm looking to get one for OH but don't know what to get!

xMissyLoux:

pandorasbox:

Hopefully my bridesman will wear his watch on the day or some other time, but if not then I know his partner will wear it as he helped me choose it! And 'thanks duck' luckily applies to both of them

Just out of interest pandorasbox, what watch did you get? I'm looking to get one for OH but don't know what to get!

Sorry, I'm also very interested as have no idea which makes are better than others, and if budgets allow, would love to get OH a watch.  To add to the original poster, I would get the back engraved.