1) Know thy newlyweds :
That's common sense, right? If they're an outdoorsy couple who like to like to surf, consider gifting them matching pairs of board shorts or maybe a waterproof camera. But chances are you'll know one newlywed a lot better than the other, so a little research into common interests will surely pay off.
2) A Pushing the Boundary Gift :
If you pride yourself on being the reception rebel, you know, the person who gives the most embarrassing speech at the wedding. Perhaps you should stick to your non-conformist guns and get your newlywed friends something that might provoke them to explore new territory. If they're a conservative couple, get them a nice selection of hot massage oils. Suggest that they bust out the hot massage oil kit after the honeymoon's over.
3) Good Gadget Gifting :
The 21st Century has given us virtually unlimited choices in this department. How about giving them a color coordinated set of USB 2.0 Thumbdrives? Or perhaps a digital photo frame? Nowadays, everybody's inner geek has plenty of digital candy to feed on. But know that when you go for the gadgetry, it will become obsolete within a year or so.
4) The Gag Gift :
This one has the shortest functional shelf life of any gift, so make it funny. I liked "Big Mouth Billy Bass" as much as the next guy, but have you seen any at the mall lately? The problem is, so few gag gifts are actually funny. Good advice would be to avoid them entirely.
5) The Gift Registry :
Gift registries (also known as: Bridal Registries) have risen to prominence for exactly the reason I'm writing this list: to make shopping for wedding gifts less of a burden. The idea was first introduced by Chicago based Marshall Field's department store in 1924. Since then, it's an increasingly popular way to conveniently select a gift online and that the bride and groom have preselected. An advantage is that the registry makes sure the newlyweds don't get the same gift twice. But the drawback is it takes the surprise element out of gifting.
6) Fall Back on the Classics :
Nope, I'm not talking about the ubiquitous wedding toaster. But it might be worth rising above the gift giving trend-du-jour and get them classic traditional gifts that have stood the test of time. Perhaps a great set of flatware, or better yet, some Waterford Crystal.
In the end, wedding gifts are geared towards the bride. Get her a nice set of stemware or a Waterford Crystal Martini pitcher, and you'll cross their mind every time they use it for a special occasion.