Wedding gifting in 2025 is no longer about buying just another photo frame or decorative clock. Couples today are practical, sustainability-conscious, and more inclined toward experiences that create memories. At the same time, timeless traditions—like giving cash in neatly folded envelopes—remain deeply ingrained in wedding culture.
To understand what gifts people are still giving in 2025, we analyzed over 200 Reddit comments from communities like r/AskChennai, along with global wedding trend reports. The findings reveal a fascinating blend of tradition and modern utility: while cash dominates, gift cards, useful home appliances, and eco-friendly items are rising fast.
Top Trends in Wedding Gifts for 2025
1. Cash and Monetary Gifts
- Still the No.1 choice (40% of mentions on Reddit).
- In Indian weddings, especially in Chennai, “moi” (traditional cash envelopes) with auspicious amounts like ₹101 or ₹501 remain popular.
- Globally, couples prefer cash funds directed toward honeymoons, home down payments, or even fertility treatments.
- According to 2025 registry reports, 22% of couples request travel or experience-related funds instead of physical items.
Why it works: Cash gives couples freedom to buy what they really need—making it timeless and practical. For readers curious about overall wedding expenses, check our article on cost of marriage for Chennai couples.
2. Gift Cards and Vouchers
- 25% of mentions highlight the growing popularity of gift cards.
- Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra cards are practical in India, while Airbnb, spa, or fine-dining vouchers appeal internationally.
- In 2025, experiential gift vouchers—like cooking classes, couple spa days, or wine-tasting sessions—are trending.
Why it works: Combines the flexibility of cash with a personalized touch. You can also explore unique pre-wedding experiences like pre-wedding photoshoots as thoughtful gifts.
3. Household Appliances and Kitchenware
- 35% of Reddit users reported gifting/receiving appliances.
- Common gifts: induction stoves, pressure cookers, blenders, air fryers, and microwaves.
- Higher-end choices like KitchenAid mixers or Le Creuset cookware appear frequently on modern registries.
- In Chennai weddings, wall clocks are still a classic—but often criticized as “too repetitive.”
Why it works: Couples setting up new homes appreciate durable and useful items. For insights on traditional expenses for these gifts, see traditional marriage cost
4. Personalized and Sentimental Items
- About 20% of mentions involve unique, meaningful gifts.
- Popular examples: engraved photo frames, custom star maps, framed wedding invitations, embroidered napkins, and personalized jewelry boxes.
- Eco-friendly personalized gifts like bamboo planters or seed kits are trending, combining sentiment with sustainability.
Why it works: Adds emotional value while avoiding clutter. Personalized experiences, including pre-wedding photoshoots, are also rising in popularity.
5. Experiences and Wellness Gifts
- 15% of mentions involve experience-based gifts.
- Popular choices: weekend getaways, concert tickets, luxury dining, or fitness subscriptions.
- Smart tech items like robot vacuums or aromatherapy kits also fall into this category, offering relaxation and time savings.
Why it works: Couples prefer experiences over objects, especially when space and lifestyle matter.
Regional Insights: Wedding Gifts in Chennai and Across India
Wedding gifting in India remains deeply tied to tradition, but regional trends show both persistence and change:
- Chennai (South India):
- Still common: clocks, divine paintings, ceramic dish sets.
- Increasingly valued: gold coins, TVs, and group gifts.
- Pan-India Trends:
- Personalized couple bands and jewelry boxes.
- Hampers filled with gourmet foods, dry fruits, or spa essentials.
- Practical home appliances are always appreciated, especially for couples moving into new homes.
Why These Gifts Endure in 2025
- 70% of couples now use registries, helping avoid duplicates.
- Yet, cash and gold remain favorites due to cultural significance and flexibility.
- Eco-friendly products resonate with younger, climate-conscious couples.
- Sentimental items remain timeless—givers want their gift to carry emotional weight.
Recommendations for Wedding Gifters
- Avoid duplicates: Skip clocks or crockery unless you know the couple needs them.
- Budget-friendly picks: Gift cards under ₹4,000 ($50) are safe and practical.
- Mid-range picks: Kitchenware or home tech items (~₹8,000 / $100).
- Luxury picks: Group gifts like TVs, furniture, or cash pools for honeymoons.
Ultimately, the best wedding gifts in 2025 balance utility, sentiment, and sustainability.
Disliked Wedding Gifts for Chennai and Indian Couples
Based on the Reddit discussions in the TXT file analyzing wedding gifts received by couples in Chennai, several items stand out as commonly disliked or unwanted. These are often repeated, impractical, or not aligned with the couple’s preferences, leading to clutter or limited use. Many commenters prefer cash or gift cards instead, as they allow the couple to choose what they actually need.
Here’s a breakdown of the key disliked gifts mentioned:
- Wall clocks: Frequently cited as over-gifted and duplicated, with one person joking that newlyweds could start a clock shop. They’re seen as cliché and sometimes tied to superstitions or “drama”.
- Cookers and pressure cookers: Often received in excess, making them redundant and not particularly meaningful.
- Ceramic dishes or tea cup sets: Repeated items that pile up without much utility, especially if the couple already has kitchenware.
- Divine paintings or religious items (like villakus): Not useful for non-religious couples, leading to them being stored away or discarded.
- Artsy or crafty decor (e.g., anniversary clocks, incense burners, showcase items): Described as dust collectors with no practical purpose, prone to breaking or falling off shelves.
- Low-quality or generic gifts: Items given “for the sake of giving” that are cheap, useless, or create environmental clutter.
- Gifts not on a registry: If the giver doesn’t know the couple well, these can miss the mark entirely, resulting in unwanted duplicates.
Overall, the consensus is to avoid generic household items unless specified, and opt for thoughtful, unique options or monetary gifts to prevent waste. If you’re planning to gift something, checking a wedding registry or asking directly could help ensure it’s appreciated.
Weddings in 2025 show that while traditions like cash gifting endure, modern couples value personalized experiences, sustainable products, and useful household items. From Chennai’s classic “moi” to global experiential vouchers, wedding gifts reflect a changing world where practicality meets emotion.
If you’re attending a wedding this year, skip the predictable clock. Instead, choose something that creates memories, solves everyday needs, or contributes to the couple’s future. After all, the right gift isn’t just a present—it’s a thoughtful start to their married life.
A: Traditional gifts like gold or silver jewelry, brass vessels, silk sarees, or religious items (e.g., idols or puja sets) symbolize prosperity and blessings. For Chennai couples, cash in odd amounts (e.g., ₹501 or ₹1,001) or gift cards are popular as they respect cultural norms while allowing flexibility.
It depends on your relationship: ₹1,100–₹2,100 for acquaintances; ₹5,100 for close friends or cousins; ₹10,000+ for family. In Chennai, amounts like ₹101 or ₹501 are common for symbolic “indivisible happiness,” adjusted for inflation.
Cash lets couples buy what they need, avoiding duplicates or unuseful items, especially since weddings are expensive. In Chennai discussions, many note that money often goes to parents, so gift cards ensure the couple benefits directly.
Repeated items like wall clocks, pressure cookers, ceramic dishes, or religious paintings (if the couple isn’t religious) are often seen as clutter. Low-quality decor or artsy items that collect dust are also unpopular.
Yes, registries help avoid unwanted gifts. In India, share them via WhatsApp or QR codes on invites. Couples list needs like appliances or vouchers, ensuring gifts are useful—many Chennai couples recommend this to prevent duplicates.
In 2025, yes—personalized items (e.g., monogrammed linens or custom chocolates) or experiences (e.g., honeymoon vouchers) create lasting memories. They show thoughtfulness, especially for urban couples who already have household basics.
Gifts received on your wedding day are tax-free under Indian law, regardless of value, as long as they’re from relatives or guests. However, non-wedding gifts over ₹50,000 may be taxable—consult a tax advisor for specifics.
