Thirteen Group Wedding Gifts Couples Love To Get

Being a wedding guest is exciting. You don't just get to see two people tie the knot. You also get to celebrate — to dress up, drink up, and hit the dance floor. Along with doing your best Electric Slide, you also need to score a thoughtful wedding gift, and you're determined to make the couple proud.

You're not about to settle on silicone spatulas or toss-able hand towels. But then again, you're not about to exceed your credit either — even if you have your heart set on a pricey wedding gift.

You're not alone. Big-ticket wedding gifts are out of many guests' budgets, but you can get around that uncomfortable fact with group gifts. This article explores the 13 best wedding gift categories, along with enviable gifts in each one.

If you're late to the game or the gift registry is already picked over, there's a good chance these categories will inspire you to give a group gift that makes the happy couple even happier. You'll also discover the easiest way to collect contributions for group gifts using Pool. So, without further ado, here comes the bride — and the coolest group gift you've ever given.

3 reasons to feel fantastic about group gifts

1. Give a gift that matches your joy

No one wants to look like a cheapskate — especially if you're a big fan of the couple. But when your budget is tight, it's hard to find a gift that does a good job showcasing your enthusiasm.

With group gifting, you don't have to settle for something you feel sheepish about. People with every budget can pitch in and give a splendid gift they feel proud of.

2. Most couples live on their own before marriage

Whether people live together or separately before marriage, most already have the basic home goods they need. Therefore, couples may not list lower price point items on their registry — they don't need them. Instead, many couples prefer fewer, pricier items that they might not buy on their own. But they don't expect any single guest to buy them either. Rather, they encourage their guests to go in on a group gift.

3. Collecting contributions is easy with Pool

Going in on a group gift sounds great in theory: everyone pitches in, so no one has to break the bank. But without the right tool, it doesn't always go smoothly. Usually, one person has to collect all the contributions and purchase a gift before the big day. But there are at least two dilemmas:

• Keeping track of everyone's contributions gets confusing when you juggle them with your own budgeting and spending
• You may have to shell out more than your fair share if someone can't cough up the cash in time

With the right tool, however, it's easy to collect, manage, and spend everyone's money. And that tool is none other than Pool. You'll learn exactly what it is, how to set it up, and how to use it for the perfect group wedding gift — but first, keep reading to see the 13 best wedding gift categories.

13 best wedding gifts to give as a group

Since many lovebirds start married life with all the home necessities they need, group gifts are a thoughtful way to make their home more exciting and meaningful. Here's a curation of special gifts that bring joy and delight.

1. High-quality kitchen and cookware Ideal for natural chefs or cookbook addicts, high-quality kitchen and cookware is a great gift for newlyweds. Not only are these the kind of gifts people use regularly, but they also come in handy when couples host their first Thanksgiving dinner or summer barbecue.

• COSORI Air Fryer
• Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven
• Nespresso Gran Lattissima Coffee and Espresso Machine

2. Furniture Is the couple moving into a new home or renovating their residence? You and your friends might consider giving them a special piece of furniture. It can elevate indoor and outdoor spaces and give the couple something to enjoy for years to come.

• West Elm Mid-century side tables
• Crate & Barrel Wall Mirror
• Wayfair Loveseat

3. Artwork When a couple already has everything they need, finding the right gift might feel extra challenging. But look at it this way: when you don't have to limit yourself to basic home goods, you get to explore one-of-a-kind art pieces that the couple will treasure.

• Parima Studio art prints
• Custom Filled Map Art by Minted
• Custom Neon Signs by HelenLedCo

4. Extra special home items You and your friends might want to give a gift that takes the couple's home to the next level. What can you afford as a group that the couple would never splurge on themselves?

• Bose Surround Speakers
• Hand Embroidered State Pillows from Uncommon Goods
• Portable pool table

5. Luggage sets Although luggage sounds boring on its face, a good-looking, reliable set adds comfort, convenience, and peace of mind to any trip.

• Mark & Graham Vegan Leather Carry-On Luggage and Weekender Set
• Cuyana Triple Zipper Weekender

6. Home appliances Is the couple planning a home renovation once the wedding day dust settles? Help them improve their living space with a new refrigerator, washer, dryer, or furnace.

• GE Front Load Washer
• Smeg Refrigerator

7. Experience gifts For the couple who has everything and wants nothing, pooling your money for experience gifts is a wonderful way to celebrate their wedding. There's so much to choose from: dance lessons, pottery classes, cooking classes, spa services, snorkeling lessons, sailing tours, etc.

• Pottery classes
• Scuba diving lessons

8. Luxury bedding We spend a third of our lives sleeping — so why not take something as commonplace as bedding and take it up a notch or two?

• Coyuchi Bedding
• Anichini Luxury Throw

9. Subscription boxes Similar to experience gifts, subscription boxes are awesome for people who already have everything they need or want. And rather than give them one gift once, monthly subscriptions add joy and delight throughout the entire year.

• Firstleaf wine subscription
• Piquant Post Subscription
• Bloomsy Box subscription

10. Gardening gifts Whether the couple identifies as a green thumb, gardener, or horticulturist, giving them garden-centric gifts is a winning idea.

• West Elm Outdoor Planters
• Weeping Willow Tree
• Powys concrete fountain from Wayfair

11. "Smart" vacuums Vacuums might seem droll because vacuuming is boring for most of us. But that's exactly why a smart vacuum is a great gift for couples sharing a home — it does the boring housework for them.

• iRobot Roomba 675
• Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum and Mop

12. Outdoor gear Does the couple like to spend time in the great outdoors? Consider giving them presents that help them face the elements and explore this big, beautiful world.

• Coleman camping tent
• Intex Challenger kayak
• DJI Mini 2 drone

13. Fitness equipment Are both spouses workout buddies? Why not give them fitness equipment and support a lifestyle they're already invested in?

• Schwinn Bike
• Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

How to set up a Pool for group wedding gifts

There are so many fantastic wedding gifts to give as a group. By now, you probably know which kind of gift you want to give — and that means you need an easy way to collect everyone's contributions. Enter Pool.

What is a Pool?

Pool is a new way to collect, manage, and spend money with friends and family. You can use it for one-off expenses, like big-ticket wedding gifts. With Pool, you collect everyone's contributions into one dedicated Pool. This pooled money always stays separate from your account. When it comes time to buy the group wedding gift, you can purchase it directly from the Pool using the Pool debit card that comes with it.

3 steps to set up your Pool

1. Customize your Pool Ready to start collecting contributions for the perfect group wedding gift? Setting up a Pool takes just a few minutes. Sign up at Poolmoney.com — as Pool admin, you can name your Pool, add a photo, and briefly describe what the Pool is for, along with any other relevant information like contribution suggestions and deadlines.

2. Share the Pool Inviting people via email is how people can contribute. Once your Pool is set up, share the Pool with whoever you and your group want.

Once people have access to your Pool, they can contribute with their bank account for free.

If you want people to join the Pool, just send them an email invitation. Once they sign up at Poolmoney.com, they can join the Pool. As Pool admin, you can set permissions so they can view Pool transactions, invite others, purchase the wedding gift with the Pool card, and more.

3. Buy group wedding gifts with your Pool card Whether your group gift is a custom-made neon sign, a Smeg refrigerator, or a deluxe waffle maker, buy it directly from your Pool with the Pool debit card. It's a virtual debit card that allows you to spend Pool funds wherever Visa is accepted. With zero transaction fees, maintenance fees, and overdraft fees, you can spend 100% of your pooled funds.

You can also track spending, adjust spending permissions and limits, and freeze the card on Poolmoney.com — no need to call customer service or wait on hold.

Group wedding gifts take the cake. They make it possible to give a fabulous gift you're proud of, elevate the newlyweds' life in an extra special way, and do it all without draining your savings.