08

[3houseswatson]

With all the excitement of finals, school wrapping up, getting ready to head back home, and one or two other rather momentous things, it kind of just occurred to me that I haven't bought my sister a wedding present yet.

And she's getting married at the end of the month.

Which gives me only two weeks.

Might not be the proudest realization of my life, but at least I've still got some time to scramble. Better than realizing it when I'm putting on what my suit before the wedding. She wanted me to wear a kilt but I think she was probably too drunk to remember saying that, thank God.

Does anybody have a solid wedding gift recommendation for a sister you love but who is also almost always incredibly frustrating?

[Filtered to Sherlock]

Whatever I end up getting Harry, I'll probably have to go to the city for it. Want to join me?

Comments

[arrogantalloy]

Try a tagine. Everyone loves a tagine.

[3houseswatson]

Here I go proving that assertion false. Pretty sure I have to know what a 'tagine' is to love it.

So, what is it?

[arrogantalloy]

Well it's better than a gravy boat for a start.

It's an earthenware cooking dish kind of thing. Makes some great Moroccan dishes.

[3houseswatson]

Moroccan food, huh? Well, I know it'll be totally wasted on Harry, but Clara might be able to do something with it.

Here I thought you'd be a cheeky prat and suggest something insane, like a diamond-studded giant robot.

[arrogantalloy]

You know, Stark Industries do design and sell diamond studded giant robots.

But we sell them to mining corporations and concrete cutters. Any they're mostly just arms more than an whole robot. So I didn't think you'd really need to do some heavy duty mining, or drilling.

Besides, food's more interesting.

[starspangledavenger]

A fruit basket that delivers fresh in season fruit every month is good. Or maybe one of those sweet stand things? They can be used for more than just sweets.

[Steve draws what he means by the sweet stand since he doesn't know what it's called, looks like this.]

[3houseswatson]

Unless you're talking about a service that does the fruit basket thing, I think that one's out. I can't really give her a charmed present since reminders about the magic thing tend to make my family a bit... uncomfortable.

The stand thing you drew might be worth looking into, though. That looks safely non-magical enough. Harry doesn't have the best track record when it comes to taking care of nice things, so it'd have to be pretty sturdy.

[starspangledavenger]

No it's a service. Maybe you guys don't have it over here, but my dad, who's a muggle, did it for my mom one year. She always bragged to her friends about it.

I'm sure you could find a stand like that that's sturdy.

[3houseswatson]

I'll have to look into that fruit service, then. Thanks. It certainly lowers the odds of me getting some appliance they don't want regifted to me come Christmas or my birthday. Kind of hard to pawn second-hand bananas off on someone.

Hopefully we do have something like that here, and it's not just something you've got across the pond.

[starspangledavenger]

Where there's a will theres a way.

But I really don't see why the UK wouldn't have something like that, so I'm sure you'll find one. Might take a bit of a search, or the Internet, but it's gotta be out there.

[foepas]

I'd recommend not getting her anything at all.

[Alec, projecting his sister issues? Yeah, that's exactly what he's doing.]

[3houseswatson]

Yeah, no. Even if I got her the worst, most shit gift in the world, not giving her a gift at all would get me more stern lectures from family members than I'm prepared to receive.

[foepas]

Perhaps you should work on preparing yourself instead.

[Filtered]

[3potionproblem]

I'd be delighted to accompany you. I am assuming all magic gifts are out of the question.

[Filtered]

[3houseswatson]

Afraid so, yeah. Even without the risk of breaking the secrecy law if Harry and Clara had Muggle company or whatever over, I just don't think it'd go over well. Clara doesn't even know about the magic thing.

[Filtered]

[3potionproblem]

I'm sure you'll find something suitably dull and practical.

[Filtered]

[3houseswatson]

Afraid I'll make you endure several hours in the dullest, most practical, grayest shop called something inane like 'Just Spoons'?

[Filtered]

[3potionproblem]

You came up with that nightmare scenario a bit too readily.

[Filtered]

[3houseswatson]

Maybe because I find it rather terrifyingly awful myself?

I know I'm more boringly practical than you, but I'm not so much of a lost cause to actually want to do something like that.

[Filtered]

[3potionproblem]

They're lesbians, yes? Get them a gift voucher to a store that specializes in organization apparatuses. Married households have far too much stuff to contend with women enjoy finding accomplishment in being tidy.

[greenmoonrising]

Generally with wedding presents it's a good idea to buy the couple things for their home, like kitchen appliances, furniture, that kind of stuff. Maybe you could organize the wedding album for them?

[3houseswatson]

The album thing's a good idea, but there are probably already a few scrapbook enthusiast aunts who are squabbling over that honour. And that's a war I don't want in on. They're ruthless.

[greenmoonrising]

Aunts can be like that. Maybe chip in to get a nice frame for a particularly nice wedding day photo for them to put over their mantel or something?

[3houseswatson]

Heh. With my family's luck, all the wedding photos will turn out a little awkward. Then Harry and Clara have a lovely picture of themselves with two swans going at it on the lake in the background, all surrounded by the most gorgeous frame imaginable.

[greenmoonrising]

That'd be a pretty memorable picture at least? :)

[trapafox]

I see the suggestions have already been made, but a useful gift is often the most appropriate kind, for a wedding. Having lived with her, you are most likely to know what that would be.

[3houseswatson]

Knowing Harry, she'd most appreciate a lifetime supply of wine.

I love her and all, but I can't say we've ever really got on. It's kind of hard to buy thoughtful gifts if we've never actually been all that close.

[trapafox]

You are more than strangers, even through blood, and that is a beginning. There is no harm in asking others in your family what gifts they plan, either. It may give you more ideas.

[wavesofjade]

Do The Couple Have A Bridal Registry?
It May Prove A Useful Starting Point.

[3houseswatson]

I honestly don't know. Being away from the family for most of the year, it can be hard for me to keep track of that kind of thing. If I had to guess, I'd say probably not. It's not really going to be a huge wedding or anything, especially since it's more symbolic than a legal thing.

[wavesofjade]

I See.
I Take It That It Is Not Simply Something That You Can Ask Her?

[marshall_lee]

If all else fails there's always gift cards. A card to a store that sells home goods is always a good bet.