What gift should I give to my friend on his or her engagement?

As Anderson notes, the most common type of gifts are jewelry or housewares such as vases or frames. Nevertheless, Anderson encourages people to get creative with gift selections, too. “For example, if their interests lie in books, a subscription to an online book club can be a great option. You could even give tickets for an upcoming gig if they love music,” says Anderson. Budget-wise, Anderson stresses that there are no hard and fast rules, but you should spend what feels comfortable to you . As Anderson notes, you can find something within any budget range, from little tokens of appreciation to larger, more expensive items. “Whether it’s big or small, an engagement present should always come from the heart!"

Should you get your friend an engagement gift?

Just like most things in the gift-giving arena, the individual situation matters. “In general, a small token of your appreciation should be given if you are particularly close with the couple or one of them is a close family member or friend,” says Anderson. If you aren’t that close with both parties or if you already found out you won’t be invited to the engagement party or wedding, a gift is a nice gesture, but isn't necessary.

The 9 Best Engagement Gifts for Friends of 2023

Mud Pie Mr. & Mrs. Champagne Glass Set displayed on a textured background with a floral sketch overlaid — Brides / Brian Kopinski

Hooray! Some of your nearest and dearest have just gotten engaged. As they embark on this exciting adventure, you might want to celebrate their engagement with a gift. Perhaps you’re meeting up for dinner together and want to bring a little something special. Maybe you’ve been invited to a formal engagement party and the couple doesn’t have a registry yet—what to get them? Or, they gave you a gift when you got engaged and you’re looking for an equally thoughtful way to return the favor. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.

“Engagement gifts are a great way to show your love and appreciation to friends,” offers wedding expert John Anderson. But remember: you don’t have to stress about buying an gift for every engaged person you know. As a rule of thumb, if the friend or couple is someone for whom you’d buy a birthday gift, you might want to splurge for an engagement gift for them. If you're not as close to the couple, a nice note and a bottle of bubbly will also do the trick.

Read on for the best engagement gifts for friends.

The Bouqs Co. Monthly Flower Subscription

$44 at Bouqs.com

Flowers are a great way to show you're excited about their engagement. And this option from The Bouqs Co. isn't just any flower arrangement—the lucky pair can look forward to gorgeous blooms from eco-friendly farms, for as many months as you choose. Plus, this subscription may give them inspiration for their wedding table centerpieces.

Price at time of publish: $44

Goldbelly Lady M Confections

$108 at Goldbelly.com

What better way to show you adore them than with a sweet treat? These fabulous Mille Crêpes cakes from Lady M Confections are more than worthy of a milestone occasion. These desserts are composed of 20 layers of super thin crêpes, pastry cream and other special flourishes (like giant chocolate curls for one option). Choose from their signature, chocolate, green tea, passion fruit, tres leche, Earl Grey and “slice of the best” flavors.

Price at time of publish: $108

Scent Lab Personalized Candle

$45 at Shopscentlab.com

Love and memories may make a house a home, but so does a stellar scent. Surprise your newly betrothed lovebirds with a classic engagement gift with a fun, personalized twist. Scent Lab uses AI tech to curate the ideal scent for the recipient(s), and you can customize the label with their names on it, as well as pick out the color of the matte glass candle vessel. Packaged in a soft satin bag, these 100% soy wax candles will burn for up to 80 hours.

Price at time of publish: $45

Reviive Uncover Me: A Card Game For Couples

$25 at Playreviive.com

The first step to forever is knowing your better half like the back of your hand. Help a newly engaged couple deepen their understanding and connection to each other with this therapist-informed game. They’ll laugh, take part in deep conversations, and will definitely appreciate this gift that helps make their bond even stronger.

Price at time of publish: $25

Last Crumb

$140 at Lastcrumb.com

Baked from scratch in Los Angeles over a three-day period, these melt-in-your-mouth cookies use a homemade European butter mixture, handpicked vanilla, and French chocolate cut into bite-sized pieces. Plus, the cookie dough is set to rest for a full 24 hours to allow all the flavors to fully blossom. Elegantly packaged in a gift box, this pack of a dozen cookies comes in a rotating list of flavors—recent standouts include Nutella Heist, Crème de La Crumb (cookies and cream), and The Floor is Lava (a chocolate lava cake cookie stuffed with—you guessed it—thick chocolate ganache).

Price at time of publish: $140

28Collective Personalized "Forever Has a Nice Ring to It" Engagement Picture Frame

$36 at 28collective.com

The newly engaged couple has a million things on their mind right now. The last thing they might be thinking about doing is printing photos—so check that off their list. This engraved picture frame comes with the quote “Forever has a nice ring to it” and is personalized with the couple’s names and their engagement date. Choose from a black or white frame and preload it with a special photo of the two of them.

Price at time of publish: $36

Tiny Tags Script Skinny Bar Necklace

$140 at Tinytags.com

Available in sterling silver, yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and gold-plated, a special woman in your inner circle is going to love this engraved bar necklace. Add her and her partner’s name, a favorite quote, or their new shared last name. The chain is available in three different lengths, so there are a lot of options for every bride-to-be.

Price at time of publish: $140

Tuckernuck Monogramable Piped Edge Bath Towel by Weezie

$64 at Tnuck.com

Being engaged means lots of joy. It also means plenty of wedding stress is likely in store, so help your best friend unwind from the drama of saying “I do” with a gift that promotes some TLC. This white towel is super soft, can be monogrammed with their current or future initials for a personalized touch, and the piping comes in three color ways: white, hydrangea blue, and juniper green.

Price at time of publish: $64

Olive & Cocoa Happy Couple Personalized Pillow

$88 at Oliveandcocoa.com

This custom pillow is perfect for the soon-to-be spouses. Personalize it with their names and engagement year (or other significant milestone year in their relationship). The pillows are handcrafted in America, and come with a lovely bow wrapped around it for effortless gifting.

Price at time of publish: $88

Meet the Expert

John Anderson is the co-founder and executive editor of LifeLineWedding.com. Anderson is based in Brooklyn, NY, and has over two decades of experience helping couples plan for their special wedding day.

What to Look for in Engagement Gifts for Friends

As with any gift to loved ones, it’s the thought that counts. "When someone you care about is taking the next step in life, recognizing their journey with a thoughtful gift is one of the best ways to show them how much they mean to you,” says Anderson, noting that engagement gifts don't need to be expensive; something as simple as a heartfelt card expressing your excitement and congratulations can be totally sufficient.

FAQ

What gift should I give to my friend on his or her engagement?

As Anderson notes, the most common type of gifts are jewelry or housewares such as vases or frames. Nevertheless, Anderson encourages people to get creative with gift selections, too. “For example, if their interests lie in books, a subscription to an online book club can be a great option. You could even give tickets for an upcoming gig if they love music,” says Anderson.
Budget-wise, Anderson stresses that there are no hard and fast rules, but you should spend what feels comfortable to you. As Anderson notes, you can find something within any budget range, from little tokens of appreciation to larger, more expensive items. “Whether it’s big or small, an engagement present should always come from the heart!"
Should you get your friend an engagement gift?

Just like most things in the gift-giving arena, the individual situation matters. “In general, a small token of your appreciation should be given if you are particularly close with the couple or one of them is a close family member or friend,” says Anderson. If you aren’t that close with both parties or if you already found out you won’t be invited to the engagement party or wedding, a gift is a nice gesture, but isn't necessary.

Why Trust Brides

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a travel and lifestyle writer who has written countless product reviews. To write this article, she’s meticulously tested products firsthand, worked with public relation pros, and searched the internet high and low. A former freelance editor and writer for The Knot, she’s also covered weddings and written gift guides for the New York Post, BestProducts.com, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

The 39 Best Editor-Tested Wedding Gifts for Couples

The 9 Best Engagement Gifts for Friends That They’ll Absolutely Adore