John’s close friend and cousin Travis is marrying my best friend Cat, which means my longtime buddy of nearly nine years is about to become family. It’s hard to believe, and the thought of seeing each other every Christmas fills us with excitement. John and I are thrilled to attend their wedding this weekend. When two wonderful people fall in love, get engaged, and plan a wedding, the search for a meaningful gift becomes a fun challenge.
We wanted something personal for their home, so when we found vintage maps from each of their home states—West Virginia and Iowa—at a local flea market, we bought them right away. Paired with sleek black frames, the maps became a sentimental and stylish gift that reflects where they came from and where they’re headed together:
Because we also wanted to give something useful, we built a Hawaiian honeymoon care package inspired by their upcoming trip. The box was packed with travel essentials and little luxuries that we hoped would make their vacation easier and more fun. From luggage tags and plane snacks to rain ponchos and postcard stamps, we included items we thought they’d appreciate:
Each item received a small tag explaining its purpose and how it ties into their Hawaiian escape:
- Bright green luggage tags for quick identification and easy bag retrieval
- Tropical Mike & Ike candy for playful plane snacks
- Essie nail polish to get beach-ready toes
- Bath confetti to celebrate their new marriage
- Postcard stamps so they can send handwritten Hawaiian greetings
- Flip-flop-shaped air fresheners for the rental car
- Straws with tiny umbrellas for celebratory drinks—preferably straight from a coconut
- Two compact emergency ponchos for sudden rainforest showers
- Frizz-control spray to help combat humidity
- Aveda hair sunscreen to protect their hair from sun and salt
- Bug spray to keep pests at bay
- Body lotion for the foot massages they love to give each other
- An exotic perfume so Cat can smell lovely throughout their trip
- Dove soap for freshening up after active days of hiking, biking, or diving
- Tropical chewing gum for a quick reminder of island flavors
- An island-inspired photo album to collect memories from an unforgettable honeymoon
Cat and Travis were thrilled with the framed vintage maps and the honeymoon care package—luckily they opened them early, so the surprise wasn’t spoiled. Now we’re looking forward to celebrating with them at the wedding this Saturday and sharing photos and stories afterward. Do you have favorite wedding gifts—either ones you love to give or the best present you’ve received? I’d love to hear your ideas and inspiration!