There’s no avoiding it — weddings cost money. You can scrounge through your closet for your go-to little black dress and those shoes that kill your feet after 10 minutes, but the one thing you can’t get around is spending money on a gift. When the recession is causing the average wedding costs to drop $6,000 last year, and probably even more in 2009, brides know money’s tight. With that logic, it’s perfectly acceptable for guests to spend less when the couple is cutting back too. So after my third wedding invitation this year, I knew I had to dig up a gift that was classy, yet affordable, for my recession-friendly friends.

Kitchen essentials and personalized gifts are great ideas for the newlywed couple, and unless you’re throwing down the big bucks at Williams Sonoma, they typically don’t cost an arm and a leg. So put down your checkbook and grab one of these gifts for the soirée.

Glassware
Every couple needs glassware to fill up those empty kitchen cabinets. Target has great, complete sets like their lines of Polaris and Derby. Each comes with 16 pieces, 8 of each kind of glass. It’ll leave the couple wishing for company so they can break them out.

Flatware
China is expensive. So why not opt for its less expensive counterpart: flatware. Target has 20-piece sets that run as low as $14.99. The Winfield collection comes with five each of dinner and salad forks, knives and teaspoons. Its stainless steel, sleek design gives it a sophisticated look for less.

Cookware
Pots and pans are a necessity for any fully equipped kitchen. And they look expensive. You can nab a 7-piece cookware set from IKEA for only $19.99. The SNITSIG set comes with three lidded pots and saucepans and stainless steel frying pan.

Ceramic Plate Set
An entire place setting can reach costs up to $30 a person. So a 4-person set would be pricey. But for a simple, sophisticated every-day set, Pearl River Mart has you covered. You can pick up their off white ceramic flat plates and soup bowls for only $1.50 each! That’ll give your recipients a lovely dinner set for four, and it’ll only cost you $12.

Wooden Bowl Set
If you’re looking to get something more intricate yet functional, try Pearl River Mart’s Lacquer Wooden Flower Bowls. They’re painted beautifully with a black and red motif. For only $4.50 each, you can get a set of four that can be used for anything from cereal to soup.

Dessert Kit
Bring out the pastry chef in anyone with an all-inclusive crème brulee set. A dessert that can be found on any high-class restaurant’s menu, crème brulee seems to be a daunting treat to wrestle with. But with Target’s 5-piece set, the newlywed couple will have the ramekins, torch and even recipe to follow that will impress any in-law.

Bakeware
From cookies to cupcakes, baked goods are always a favorite. Stock the couple’s kitchen with everything from a measuring cup ($2.99 at Target) to cookie sheets, cupcake pans or cake pans ($6.99 each at Target). Ikea’s BULLAR set comes with a baking tin and pie dish for $5.99. Combine a selection of any of these bakeware items to get the couple’s dessert-making career off to the right start.

Cup and Saucer Set
It’s hard to come by someone who doesn’t enjoy an aromatic cup of morning coffee or soothing tea. And if the bride is anything like my mother, she’ll love to have all her cups and saucers match when she has guests. Pearl River Mart’s cup and saucer sets are as low as $2.50 for each cup and $2.50 for each saucer. Its forest green glazed color is just as attractive as its price tag. Get a set of four for $20.

Crock Pot
The chef of the house will adore you for this amazing invention. These slow-cookers allow you to just throw the ingredients in, set the temperature and go on with your day. Target sells a 4 qt. crock-pot for $16.99. Add some recipes to your gift to get the chef started. Crock-pot.com has some great ones like Beef Bourguignon and Fiesta Chicken. Just print out the recipes small enough so it will fit on a recipe card but big enough so it can be read. Mat it onto construction paper or scrapbook paper. Scrapbookscrapbook.com offers free, printable designs. Using scissors or pinking shears from some added flair, cut out the recipe card. Punch a hole into each card and string them together with a ribbon.

Gift Basket
Little things add up. Fill a basket with gadgets the bride-or groom-will have fun with or need in the kitchen. Here are some you can pick up at IKEA:

Can opener-$2
Pizza wheel-$1.50
Rolling pin-$4
Colander-$2
Corkscrew-$2
Ice cream scoop-$3
Grater-$1.50
Whisk-$1.50
MIXA Spoon, spatula and fork set-$.50!

You can pick up a basket and some clear or colored cellophane at the dollar store and arrange the goodies inside. Tie it up with a bow and you’re done!

Still not satisfied?  Get some more great budget gift ideas here, from our partner at Cheap Wedding Solutions.

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