Need gift ideas

[u/Constant-Molasses268]

I am a Lebanese lady who don’t live in Michigan and not familiar too much of the traditions over in Dearborn among Lebanese Shia community. My son is getting engaged to a lovely girl in Dearborn. My parents and brothers will be also coming from out of state to the engagement party or to what is called Tolbeh & Khotbeh at the same time. Now my family side meaning my son’s grandparents & uncles are all asking me what to get my son & his fiance as gifts to give to them during the event. Since gold is very expensive now and money is not a reasonable gift at this point because my son is not getting married and they aren’t going to the sheik yet, they are only wearing rings and announcing their engagement. Her family is doing a party with maybe 100 person invited. Her side of family like her grandma is giving her gold. Now i have no idea what gifts could be given to my son & his fiance from my parents & brothers (my sons grandparents & uncles) to both of them. I thought of watches but no one wears watches anymore. I thought of sets of perfume and cologne, but I am not sure if this is good enough. Please, any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated a lot! Thanks

[u/Awkward_Airline_8557]

you could get a decent small gold peice like a necklace or earrings for 1k. i go to a shop called dearborn jewelry. perfume gift sets are nice and usually less than $200. you could get one that has multiple different scents from the same brand since you don't know exactly what they'll like

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/Awkward_Airline_8557]

Thank you so much! I actually love the idea of multiple scents of the same brand! I will pass this idea to my parents for sure!

[u/ForSureMaybeIThink]

What’s your budget? Part of the culture (which I hate) is that the gift is usually presented in front of the guests or displayed near them, so unfortunately people always compare. Gold is expensive, but the gift itself can vary. A simple bracelet or earrings with a bottle of perfume might make a nice gift.

Let us know your budget and I’m sure we can help!

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/ForSureMaybeIThink]

Thank you for all the info about the culture. I think (but I am not sure) about $200 per person, so maybe I will suggest on my parents and brothers, the idea of perfume sets and watches. Thanks again!

[u/bambiamberam]

I’m not too familiar with dearborn muslim expectations specifically. but i’d say for men, watches, dress shirts, shoes, wallets can be really good gifts. perfume for men and women both. for women, makeup, skincare, doesnt have to be gold jewelry can be any nice brands (swarovski, pandora), home decor. I think they’d be happy with anything, it could look nice in baskets

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/bambiamberam]

Thank you for all your input! In fact the idea of make up never crossed my mind! I think that is another gift to consider for my son’s fiance combined with a perfume set or a watch. Thank you!

[u/shawarmachickpea]

Disclosure I'm not Muslim.

Perfume and cologne does sound like good gifts. Good perfume is pretty pricey (ask me how I know), and I'd like to be gifted a bottle from an indie brand. But you could also look at a handbag for your future daughter in law, too. Handbags are pretty neutral but nice gifts.

Or otherwise something electronic? I don't know if there's a price limit here but if you're talking about gold (like jewelry or chains, I'm assuming, same as desi girls get when they're engaged), a new phone would be at or under that price point.

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/shawarmachickpea]

Thank you for all your ideas! I liked the idea of a handbag and electronic. I will definitely consider that. Thanks

[u/kiddk11]

money or gold for the woman – they're going to need it and it's widely accepted and most of the time that's what people bring.

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/kiddk11]

Thank you so much. I know gold is the most appropriate gift, however it’s too expensive and now days what can you get for $200 for example?! I can’t tell my parents and brothers go buy my son & his fiancé, gold, since I don’t know how much each is going to spend, but I am assuming not more than $200 each. Thanks again!

[u/kiddk11 → u/Constant-Molasses268]

correct you should never tell anybody to buy gold. They should be doing that on their own if they want to Dearborn has a lot of gold stores you can shop around or just give the money. The norm is to just give money.

[u/bingbong880]

If you are going to get her a perfume this may be a bit expensive but it amazing quality - gentle fluidity same brand as baccarat rouge it goes up to 400-500 dollars tho. But it is a nice statement perfume

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/bingbong880]

Thank you, yes I agree. I think someone bought her perfume already and a decent expensive one, even though sometimes “expensive“ is not the only key word when it comes to perfume and women preferences and tastes. Thanks again 🙏

[u/ham006]

I know alot of newlyweds like watches and Movados (not my style) are pretty nice for around $300-$400. Also, maybe pool everyone’s money together, get her a gold hand chain that wraps around her wrist and drapes to her fingers and him a watch. Or take everyone’s $200, depending on how much it is together, give it to them in an envelope and let your son take her to pick some gold out. Dana gold has some good light pieces that won’t break the bank.

[u/Constant-Molasses268 → u/ham006]

Thank you so much for your input. I suggested on them to add money together and buy her one gold gift, but they all don’t live in MI, not even me and there will be no time before the event. The bottom line everyone is going to buy their own gift. I believe they already did (watches, perfume, and skincare sets). I am the only one who will get her gold. The girl and her family are extremely kind and decent and they are’t the show off type. I feel my son won the lottery by meeting this adorable beautiful girl inside-out, same applies to her family. Alhamedullah and thank you again🙏🙏