Matchmaking is a rather old tradition that goes back to the distant past. This rite is interesting and is still important for many families. And in Eastern and Caucasian countries, so far, without a formal matchmaking, the bride is not given to the groom's family. This article will tell you what to give to matchmaking when meeting your parents in your second half.
What it is?
Matchmaking is an important tradition, which is that the groom's parents send relatives, friends, or come to the house of the potential bride themselves and ask for her hands from her father and mother. The custom is very touching, it shows the young man’s present attitude to the girl, because not everyone will dare the whole family to visit his beloved parents, to ask them to give their daughter. Paying homage to matchmaking, the guy immediately rises in the eyes of future father-in-law and mother-in-law.
One of the main reasons to send matchmakers is to get permission to unite not only two loving hearts, but also two families who now become relatives for each other. Previously, the rite was performed strictly according to the rules. Guests were met and escorted to the hall where the table with refreshments stood. The conversation went exclusively between the parents. As a kind of payment, both parties exchanged gold coins, which indicated a positive decision.
Now there are no such requirements. As a rule, matchmaking is very fun, because the young have long been familiar with each other. They adhere to only one formality: the groom's side asks permission from the girl’s relatives, and after receiving consent, jokes, feasts and congratulations are filled with gifts.
Gifts to the bride
First of all it is necessary to get beautiful bouquets for the bride, her mother and the eldest married sister.
It is advisable to know in advance the favorite flowers of women, to cause the approval of the host country. If information could not be obtained, traditional forms can be presented (to the bride, roses are red or white, and mother and sister are chrysanthemums, peonies or lilies).
If you have a younger family member, you need to pay attention to him, giving him daisies or chocolates. No matter how old a child is, he should also receive a small gift.
Perhaps the most important gift will be the engagement ring, which the bride does not remove before the wedding. During the ceremony, he is replaced by a wedding. The decoration is a gold bezel of medium width with a single stone. Price depends on features. Additionally, you can give your beloved a beautiful watch or a gold pendant with a chain.
The mother-in-law should also give the future daughter gifts of gold. Usually give a chain, pendant, earrings or bracelet. The manifestation of the greatest respect and trust will be the diamond jewelry that is passed down from generation to generation. You can also give a perfume, bag, beautiful shawl or makeup. Some nations decided to give the bride a lot of clothes, shoes and accessories so that she entered the groom's house in everything new. The same applies to the parents of the bride in relation to the son-in-law.
An important attribute of matchmaking is a loaf or a big beautiful cake.symbolizing the future sweet life of the newlyweds. It is brought into the house on a large, beautifully embroidered towel. When the cake is put on the table, the girl should divide it into pieces and serve each guest. The loaf can be baked by yourself or purchased at the store. The same applies to the towel.Decorate it with bright inscriptions, hearts, woven rings, swans and other symbols of love and loyalty. Embroidered names of young people look very nice.
Gifts for parents of the bride
Future relatives decided to give practical gifts for the house. Each hostess will appreciate a beautiful picture, an embroidered tablecloth, a clock or a floor lamp. You can consult with your beloved and find out the preferences of her parents. In any case, the gift should not be too personal. Even if the father loves fishing, you should not bring him a fishing pole or bait for fishing, no matter how expensive they are. Save it for a birthday.
It will be good to bring in the house and food for a feast. Wine, whiskey, fruit, sweets are added to the big basket, everything is beautifully arranged and brought into the bride's house. Of course, there will already be a table laid there, but such a sign of attention will not be superfluous.
What to give in-law?
Previously, girls did not always know when they would come to be married, so there were no return gifts. More cunning young ladies pre-prepared gifts for her father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and the groom's brothers. Now the fair sex is much easier, they have enough time to prepare for the arrival of the matchmakers. It is best to prematurely consult with the groom and find out the preferences of his parents. Anyone is pleased to get what he likes, but you can give neutral gifts.
Father-in-law can be presented with a warm scarf or a ticket to a match of your favorite football team. Mother-in-law will be pleased to receive a perfume, a beautiful silk scarf, a makeup kit or a beautiful picture for the house. A great gift will be a set of silver spoons or a china set of porcelain.
If you want to show how economical and caring you are, you can do something with your own hands. Each mother-in-law will appreciate a self-embroidered or painted picture, designer soap, a hand-painted set. Modern stores offer a wide selection of gifts that can be added with their own hands. Another excellent option is a big, beautiful and tasty cake that the bride bakes herself and serves for tea.
Also, the girl should not forget about the sisters and brothers of the groom. Small children can donate chocolates, soft toys or books. Adult sisters will appreciate the cosmetics and jewelry, and brothers - fashionable sweaters or purses.
The parents of the bride, in turn, should also give gifts to the son-in-law. For example, it can be cufflinks, an expensive watch, a gold bracelet or a chain with a pendant.
Other guests
Often, not only relatives, but also close friends of the future groom act as matchmakers. Custom does not dictate any rules for them, but still everyone will be pleased to receive a small gift. So guests can give small souvenirs in the form of decorative figures or small sets with sweets.
Friends should not come to the house empty-handed. The hostess needs to give a box of chocolates, and the bride something for the house. Kitchen utensils, towels, bed linen are perfect. You can distinguish yourself and give a comic gift. For example, it can be a beautifully wrapped rolling pin with the inscription “for being late”, at the same time it will be possible to check if the future wife of a friend has a sense of humor.
About gifts that will suit a woman at any age, you can learn from the video below.
