Gifts to give each other

As you select special wedding gifts for your bridesmaids, flower girl and parents, don’t forget about that most special someone on your list! Not sure what to get your sweetie? Wedding gifts between the bride and groom need not follow any tradition, nor must they cost a fortune; they need only be personal, and come from the heart. Read on for some thoughtful gift ideas.

Honeymooning: A gift to use on your honeymoon – like scuba lessons or spa treatments – will put your minds on the relaxing unwind time ahead of you.

Memories: Shoeboxes of pictures waiting for a rainy day and a scanner are no longer a lost cause. Scanmyphotos.com will professionally scan up to 1,000 printed photos and transfer them to a DVD for $50. They can return the originals in two or three business days after the scan, too.

Custom: A belt with custom leatherwork – your names or a special quote or date – is a lasting gift he’ll remember every time he puts it on. Other customizable options include cufflinks, a watch, a bracelet or other jewelry that can be engraved. Apex Custom Engraving in Fairbanks (apexcustomengraving.com) can help you out.

Wine: A great bottle of wine and a note: “Not to be opened until our (10th, 25th) anniversary.”

Puppy love: Have you talked about getting a pet? Give a gift certificate to a local humane society or animal shelter and then pick out a dog or cat when you return from your honeymoon.

Soundtrack: A soundtrack to your relationship – featuring meaningful and memorable songs, like the first one you danced to or one that was constantly on the radio during the summer you started dating – is a personal and inexpensive gift. And with iTunes and other online music download sources, it's never been easier to track down hard-to-find tunes.

Massages: A gift certificate for a relaxing massage (captaincook.com) will erase the stress of gathered family.

Get framed: Frame a special old drawing or artwork from childhood. Or frame your wedding vows or a favorite love poem.

Family tree: A beautifully drawn family tree – with your new spouse included – shows them about the family they are joining. Or an heirloom from your family welcoming your spouse.

Art: Give a gift certificate to a local gallery like Artique Ltd. in Anchorage to pick out a piece of art – together – for your new home. Or pick out a print, painting, or sculpture by one of his favorite artists.

Love letter: In an effort to save on the extensive costs of a wedding, some couples opt not to exchange gifts other than their wedding bands and the honeymoon they’ll share. If you decide not to swap gifts, consider sending a sweet handwritten love note – something you both can cherish for a lifetime.