Gift Guides Archives - Smashing the Glass

Set Up the Jewish Wedding Gift List of Your Dreams with Contemporary Judaica

05/10/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

Raw Silk Hand Woven Small Tallit by Yair Emanuel and Modern Kiddush Cup and Plate in Silver by Nadav Art |Photo by Stuart Wood Photography from Bringing the Hamptons to the UK: Jewish Wedding Inspo on Osea Island

It’s no secret that Contemporary Judaica is my very favourite source for stylish, modern Judaica in the UK. But did you know that they also offer a fantastic wedding gift list service (complete with international shipping)?

Trace Chanukiah in Clay by Via Maris

Easy to set up and manage online, with a Contemporary Judaica gift list you’ll have an unrivaled choice of gifts from over 50 Judaica artists worldwide, not to mention full flexibility and exceptional service.

Acrylic Solid Challah Board and Magnetic Matching Knife

Offering kiddush cups, shabbat candlesticks, challah boards, mezuzahs, havdalah sets, seder plates, smash glasses for under the chuppah that can be turned into keepsake art, and so much more, a Contemporary Judaica gift list is the perfect way to ensure you receive Judaica gifts you know you’ll love, the kind that will enhance the Jewish home you’re building together for a lifetime.Continue Reading

Gifts That Won’t Cost Your Guests a Penny: Social Gifting with Prezola

26/02/2019 by Karen Cinnamon

I’m so excited to share a new wedding list innovation from our friends at Prezola, the UK’s leading wedding registry, and the only gift list service in the UK we hand on heart recommend. I think we’d all agree that the best gifts don’t always cost money, and Prezola’s found a fantastic way to facilitate gifting the precious resource of time.

That’s why I think you’re going to love social gifting, which allows you to register for meaningful experiential gifts that don’t need to cost guests a penny. Now, in addition to traditional gifts from hundreds of retailers, a honeymoon fund, cash contributions, and charity donations, Prezola’s enabling your guests to promise to do something, not just buy something, to commemorate your special day.

WHAT ARE SOCIAL PROMISES?

Prezola’s Social Promises can be anything close to your heart — you can choose from a selection of pre-created promises, or create your own.

Whether it’s volunteering at a charity that’s meaningful to you, helping you move house, or looking after your pet while you’re on honeymoon, you can create and add Social Promises to your gift list just like any other gift, completely free of charge.

Social Promises put the focus of gift-giving squarely on sharing time and experiences with loved ones. It’s also a great way to reduce the pressure for guests to spend a lot on attending your wedding — such a win-win.

We’re In Love With This Meaningful Jewelry for your Jewish Wedding {by Kanarek}

25/10/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

Custom

When picking out jewelry for your Jewish wedding – whether that means jewelry to wear yourself as the bride, to give as gifts to your bridesmaids, or even cufflinks to give to your groom – of course you want it to be an exquisite piece.

But you probably also want it to be meaningful too. And that’s why I’m so delighted to be sharing one of my favorite sources for wedding jewelry with you, Kanarek Jewelry.

Based in Brooklyn, Yael Kanarek believes that language holds special meaning unique to each individual, and endeavors to capture that beauty in each piece she creates. Her line of fine jewelry based on names, dates, and words – in Hebrew, English, or the language of your choice – brings language to the body in a sophisticated, straddling the line between playful and chic, and she has some great affordable pieces in the lineup.

Any STG grooms who happen to be reading, take note: so many of these pieces would be absolute perfection as gifts to your bride on your wedding day too…

In addition to the beautiful selection of designs on her site, Yael specializes in custom jewelry – how perfect would it be to get a piece with your wedding date, or your names, or a special location or quote that’s meaningful to you as a couple? The sky is really the limit here, and Yael’s worked with many languages (even Sanskrit), so there are plenty of options beyond Hebrew!

We’re so thrilled to be showcasing some of our favorite Jewish wedding-ready pieces from the collection, as well as a few fantastic custom pieces for inspo. Continue Reading

Wedding Gift Lists – Yay or Nay?

25/01/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

Here at Smashing The Glass, we’re big fans of gift giving (and, if we’re honest, gift receiving), but we know that not everyone feels the same way as us.

Gift lists can feel thorny for some. Couples who have lived together for a while can find themselves stuck on what to ask for, as they already have everything they need to start a life together. Others may find gift lists a bit too traditional, or feel uncomfortable asking for things for themselves. However, we’re so strongly in favor of having a gift list, that we’ve decided to make it our personal mission to change your mind!

Because we’re such huge advocates of the idea, we thought we’d call on some true experts to help make the case for us, our dear friends at Prezola!

Prezola, the UK’s favourite wedding gift list, known for being stylish, on-trend and, great news for the wedding budget, free, are taking over the STG pages with some top tips for creating the perfect wedding gift list.

Remember that people will get you gifts regardless

Even if your invitations specify “no gifts”, it is inevitable that people will want to bring something. Many would feel uncomfortable arriving to a wedding empty handed, while others may assume that you don’t really mean it.

Whatever their reasons, well-meaning people will definitely ignore you. You may as well give them a list full of things you truly want and will cherish forever, instead of being forced to stare at that lovingly given hideous china ornament from great aunt Marion for the rest of your married life.

Get over your discomfort

We totally get it – it can feel uncomfortable to ask guests for gifts on top of their already considerable travel or accommodation expenses, but they will have factored that in and will be really happy to have some guidance when it comes to buying you a present.

If you still feel a bit iffy about it, there’s no harm at all in making it clear in the invitation that you are not expecting anything but the pleasure of your guests’ company, but for anyone who wants some guidance, you have provided a gift list.

Reduce the risk by using a protected gift list

Using Prezola takes away all of the potential risks associated with giving wedding gifts. It prevents potential loss from guests do not turn up with envelopes of cash, or cheques, potentially made out to the wrong name. Everything is insured and 100% guaranteed to be delivered to you, so a gift list really does give you peace of mind.Continue Reading

12 Wedding Thank You Gift Ideas for Parents

07/06/2017 by Karen Cinnamon

In Jewish culture, there is a great emphasis on respecting and appreciating our parents, and often we hear from our thoughtful brides-to-be inside Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club wanting to know where they can find some gorgeous, personalized ‘thank you’ gifts for parents and in laws.

So we thought the topic deserved its very own post. Here are some of our favourite finds to inspire the perfect ‘thank you’ gift for the amazing people who raised you. We hope you find exactly what you’re looking for here, or that the ideas lead you to your ideal find.