Matchmaking is a fairly old tradition that goes back to the distant past. This rite is interesting and still important for many families. And in the eastern and Caucasian countries, until now, without official courtship, the bride is not given to the groom's family. This article will tell about what to give for matchmaking when meeting with the parents of your soulmate.
What it is?
Matchmaking is an important tradition, which is that the parents of the groom send relatives, friends or come to the house of the potential bride themselves and ask her father and mother for her hands. The custom is very touching, it shows the young man’s real relationship with the girl, because not everyone dares the whole family to visit their beloved parents to ask them to give their daughter. Paying tribute 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, which from now on become family for each other. Previously, the ceremony was performed strictly according to the rules. Guests were met and escorted to the hall where there was a table with refreshments. The conversation went exclusively between 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 known each other. They adhere to only one formality: the groom’s side asks permission from the girl’s relatives, and after obtaining consent, jokes, feasts and congratulations with gifts begin.
Gifts for the bride
First of all, you should purchase beautiful bouquets for the bride, her mother and older married sister.
It is advisable to know in advance the favorite flowers of women in order to gain the approval of the host. If it was not possible to get information, you can present traditional species (red and white roses for the bride, and chrysanthemums, peonies or lilies for mom and sister).
If you have a younger family member, you need to pay attention to him, giving chamomiles or chocolates. No matter how old the child is, he should also receive a small gift.
Perhaps the most important gift will be the engagement ring, which the bride does not take off before the wedding. During the ceremony, he is replaced by a wedding. The jewelry is a gold bezel of medium width with one stone. The price depends on the capabilities. 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 in gold. Usually give a chain, pendant, earrings or bracelet. The manifestation of the greatest respect and trust will be a diamond jewelry that is passed on from generation to generation. You can also give perfume, a bag, a beautiful shawl or makeup. It is customary for some nations to give the bride a lot of clothes, shoes and accessories so that she enters 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 large beautiful cakesymbolizing the future sweet life of the newlyweds. He is brought into the house on a large, beautifully embroidered bench hammer. When the cake is put on the table, the girl should divide it into parts and serve it to each guest. You can bake the loaf yourself or purchase it in a store. The same goes for the rushnyka. Decorate it with bright inscriptions, hearts, woven rings, swans and other symbols of love and fidelity. The embroidered names of young people look very beautiful.
Gifts for the bride's parents
It is customary for future relatives to give practical gifts for the home. Each housewife will appreciate the beautiful picture, embroidered with a tablecloth, clock or 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 rod or fishing tips, no matter how expensive they are. Save this for your birthday.
It will be good to bring home and food for the feast. Wine, whiskey, fruit, sweets are stacked in a large basket, all this is beautifully made out and brought into the bride's house. Of course, a table will already be 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 be married, so there were no reciprocal gifts. More cunning young ladies prepared in advance the hotel for the mother-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brothers of the groom. Now the fair sex is much easier, they have enough time to prepare for the arrival of matchmakers. It is best to consult the groom prematurely and find out the preferences of his parents. Anyone is pleased to receive what he likes, but you can also give neutral gifts.
Father-in-law can be presented with a warm scarf or a ticket for a match of your favorite football team. Mother-in-law will be pleased to receive perfume, a beautiful silk scarf, a set of cosmetics or a beautiful picture for the home. A great present will be a set of silver spoons or a tea set made of porcelain.
If you want to show how economical and caring a girl you are, you can do something yourself. Each mother-in-law will appreciate a self-embroidered or painted picture, an author's soap, a hand-painted service. Modern stores offer a wide selection of gifts that you can complement with your own hands. Another great option is a large, beautiful and delicious cake that the bride will bake and serve for tea.
Also, the girl should not forget about the sisters and brothers of the groom.You can give chocolates, soft toys or books to small children. Adult sisters will appreciate cosmetics and jewelry, and brothers will appreciate fashionable sweaters or purses.
The bride's parents, in turn, must also give the son-in-law gifts. 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. Such guests can be presented with small souvenirs in the form of decorative figures or small sets with sweets.
Friends should not come into the house empty-handed. The mistress of the house needs to give a box of chocolates, and the bride something for the house. Kitchen utensils, towels, bedding are perfect. You can distinguish yourself and give a comic gift. For example, it can be a beautifully packed rolling pin with the inscription “for lateness”, at the same time it will turn out to check whether the future wife of a friend has a sense of humor.
You can find out about gifts that will suit a woman at any age from the video below.
