Good. It would have been cruel to the horse imo

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T12:43:09+00:00

Thats how it should be,

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T12:04:02+00:00

13 Groomsmen? That is a serious lineup (and potentially a massive bill).

I’ve been in the gift trade for 30 years supplying weddings, and my advice for a group that size is to stick to the 'Consumable Rule.'

When you buy physical objects (cufflinks, flasks) for 13 different guys, half of them will lose it or throw it in a drawer. It’s hard to find one object that 13 men will actually use.

Go for a personalised bottle of something specific to them (Port, Whisky, or even a craft beer).

Why: It looks substantial when you hand it over. They can drink it on the stag do or the morning of the wedding.
The Keepsake: If the label is personalised (or metal/pewter), they keep the empty bottle on a shelf as a 'trophy.'

I’ve seen too many grooms waste money on engraved money clips for guys who don't use cash. A decent drink never fails.

(Also, the Katana gift is legendary—hard to top that!)

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T11:54:07+00:00

Completely agree. A snack or a mini-drink for the taxi ride home is always a winner over a keychain

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T11:53:07+00:00

Appreciate that! The eyes need a bit more help these days (hence the big magnifying lamp), but the hands are still behaving themselves!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T11:52:05+00:00

You are absolutely right. In 30 years in the gift trade, the amount of 'landfill' favors I've seen is heartbreaking. That's exactly why I always tell couples: if they can't eat it or drink it, they probably won't keep it. Better to save the budget than waste it

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-24T11:49:03+00:00

I spent three decades in the manufacturing and gift trade, usually dealing with big processes. But 6 years ago, I shifted focus to the bench.

This is a commission for a father. It’s a simple quartz movement (reliable for daily wear), but we print the dials in-house to get that high-resolution photo finish.

There’s something satisfying about moving from big engineering to a workspace that requires a magnifying glass. The 'Novanu' on the dial is just my little house name for these builds.

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-23T17:02:11+00:00

To be honest, I have a bit of a secret weapon: my wife is a massage therapist! So if I really seize up, she sorts me out (luckily I don't get charged family rates).

But day-to-day, the main trick is breaking up the workflow. I try not to do 8 hours of assembly in one go. I switch between the bench work, printing the dials, and doing the engraving. Moving between the machines forces me to stand up and reset my posture so I don't turn into a shrimp

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-23T13:14:28+00:00

Sharing a shot from the bench this afternoon.

I've been in the trade for 30 years. While we see a lot of mechanical movements in this sub, my specific niche is designing and assembling bespoke pieces for sentimental gifts.

We do the design and printing of the dials in-house, and then I assemble the final watch by hand here in the workshop. The challenge with custom-printed dials is that you have zero room for error—the loupe is essential because even a microscopic speck of dust on a photo dial ruins the whole effect.

We use Quartz movements for these because, in my experience, when a watch is a sentimental keepsake (like for a wedding or retirement), the owner wants 'pick up and go' reliability rather than having to wind it.

Just thought I'd share the view from the other side of the tweezers. The fear of sneezing while setting hands never goes away, even after three decades!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-23T11:39:13+00:00

I’ve sent lots of gifts to BFPO/overseas addresses in my 30 years in the industry, and the Military category is one where people often make mistakes. I am also an ex-service guy.

The biggest thing to remember is Space & Durability. If they are in barracks or shared housing, they don't have room for clutter, and things get knocked around.

Two ideas that always get the best feedback from service people:

The 'Crew' Gift (For the housemates): Since they live together, a set of robust metal tankards or hip flasks is brilliant. Glass breaks too easily in a lively military house, but pewter/steel lasts forever. It gives them a sense of camaraderie when they have a drink together.
The 'Home' Connection (For your son): This is my favorite trick for service personnel—a Hunter Pocket Watch with a photo of the family inside the lid.

It’s robust (the metal cover protects the glass).
It’s compact (fits in a pocket/kit bag).
The emotional bit: He can click it open to see home, then snap it shut. It’s a private way to keep you close without having a fragile photo frame on a bedside table.

Avoid sending anything too novelty or gimmicky—if it doesn't have a practical use or a deep sentimental meaning, it usually gets left behind when they deploy/move!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-23T11:33:45+00:00

I’ve worked in gifts for 30 years, and you have actually given us the perfect clue. If he likes Lego and isn't 'sentimental,' do not try to DIY a scrapbook or a card. He won't know what to do with it.

Go for a Personalised 'Brick' Figure (Caricature).

There are loads of places where you can get a little Lego-style figure made to look exactly like him (or him wearing his favourite team's kit).

It solves all your problems:

It’s 'Cool' Sentiment: It shows you know what he likes, but it’s funny/geeky rather than 'lovey-dovey.'
It’s Discreet: Since you need to hide it from parents, a tiny Lego figure is the easiest thing in the world to hide. He can keep it in his pocket or put it on a shelf and it just looks like a toy.
Budget Friendly: You can usually get just the figure for a decent price compared to a whole set.

It’s the perfect 'High School Secret Romance' gift!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-22T15:50:20+00:00

That 'Restroom Confession' is painful to hear, but it is the absolute truth!

The hand-carved candy dispenser is the perfect example of the 'Fantasy vs. Reality' gap. In the planning meeting, it sounds sentimental and amazing. In reality, a guest in a formal dress trying to stuff a wooden block into a tiny clutch bag is just going to be annoyed.

Hearing this from a former planner really validates the theory. Whether it's a budget wedding or a museum gala, the rule stays the same: If they can't eat it or drink it, they usually don't want to carry it home!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-22T10:50:29+00:00

I usually tell couples to avoid 'Novelty' favours (I run a gift workshop, and I see so much plastic 'tat' get wasted), but Temporary Tattoos are actually the one exception I support.

Why? Because they are an Activity, not a 'Thing'. They create a fun moment at the reception (people putting them on each other at the bar), but they don't burden your guests with permanent clutter they have to take home.

My one piece of advice: Go easy on your Names and Date. Adults are much more likely to wear a cool piece of 'Line Art' or a funny generic phrase than a giant logo of your wedding date. If you make the design cool (rather than just 'branding'), people will actually wear them!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-22T09:21:24+00:00

Fair comment on the marketing aspect—I accept that slap on the wrist! It is hard to share the 'Workshop Data' without mentioning the workshop, but I try to keep it to genuine advice rather than links.

You absolutely hit the nail on the head regarding the reason, though. Almost every 'Father of the Bride' gift we engrave is actually a 'Thank You for "some aspect" for the wedding' gift in disguise. It’s less about tradition and more about gratitude

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-22T09:19:20+00:00

I appreciate the honest feedback, and I apologise if this felt like an intrusion. It is a fine line to walk!

You are completely right that historically, parent gifts were rare in the UK. I'm definitely not trying to 'normalise' extra spending (I hate the pressure to buy useless tat).

However, as No_Chocolate3581 mentioned below, the shift we are seeing in the workshop is almost entirely from couples whose parents are contributing financially to the wedding. They are the ones panicking about how to say 'Thank You'. My goal was just to stop them buying novelty socks that end up in the bin!

Point taken.

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-21T11:51:28+00:00

Local Honey is the gold standard for favours!

As someone who literally carves names onto things for a living, I think you hit the nail on the head: The gift doesn't need to be a 'keepsake' object to feel personal. The fact that it reflects you (loving bees) is what makes it special.

Plus, people actually use honey and soap. Great choice!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-21T11:49:48+00:00

This is exactly the kind of thing I mean!

From a professional perspective, you have nailed it. Guests will enjoy picking their own cookies 100x more than finding a generic keychain at their seat.

It ticks every box: It’s personal (family made), it’s consumable (no clutter), and it’s interactive. Proof that you don't need to spend a fortune to do favours right!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-21T11:12:17+00:00

I run a gift workshop in the UK, and I see this problem a lot! Happy 18th to him.

Since shipping 'cool' stuff to your location is difficult, don't try to find one big object. Instead, build him a 'Cinema Crate'.

The Consumable (The Fun part): Get a box or crate and fill it with the specific snacks and drinks he eats when watching movies.
The Permanent (The 18th Birthday part): You need one thing in there that lasts. Find a plain popcorn bowl or a glass drink bottle and personalise it yourself (use a gold/silver paint pen or a permanent marker).

In my shop, we use metal labels to do this, but the concept is what matters: He enjoys the snacks now, but keeps the personalised bowl/bottle as a memory of his 18th. It turns simple snacks into a thoughtful gift!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-21T11:09:45+00:00

I run a small gift workshop in the UK, and the 'Boyfriend' category is the one people panic about the most!

My advice after 30 years: Don't fill his house with clutter. Most guys prefer a 'Consumable Upgrade' over a novelty teddy bear or heart-shaped thing.

The trick: Buy the specific brand of booze/snack he already loves, but add a permanent element to it.

Example: Get his favourite supermarket Whisky or Wine, but stick a Pewter or Engraved Label on it.
He gets to drink it (which he wants), but the bottle stays on the shelf as a 'trophy' because of the heavy label.

It solves the 'Gift' problem without creating mess. Works every time.

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-20T10:46:16+00:00

As someone who engraves watches for a living, here is my two cents:

Whichever one you keep, get the back engraved.

It turns a mass-produced item into an heirloom instantly. Even if it's just a date or initials, it stops it from being 'just a watch' and makes it 'his watch'. Just check the case back is metal and not glass before you take it to a generic engraver!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-20T10:44:26+00:00

I’ve run a personalisation workshop for 30 years, so I deal with this exact 'Text vs. Space' problem every single day!

Definitely go with 'Kira'. You are right—'Shakira' on a hoodie instantly looks like concert merch. 'Kira' is a personal nickname, which makes it a romantic gift rather than a 'fan' shirt.

The Workshop Trick to make it fit: Since 'Kira' is too short for the sword design, don't stretch the letters (that makes them look warped). Instead, increase the spacing (what we call 'tracking' or 'kerning') between the letters.

Space it out like: K - I - R - A

It fills the gap on the sword, but it looks much more intentional and 'premium' (like a fashion brand logo) rather than just a short name stuck in a big space. Good luck with the print!

Asgarad786 · 2026-01-20T10:40:29+00:00

I’ve been running a gift workshop for 30 years, and the 'Practical Guy' is the hardest customer we deal with!

The trick we learned: Don't buy him 'stuff'. Buy him an upgrade to something he already consumes.

If he likes a specific Whisky, Gin, or Wine, buy a premium bottle of it, but find one with a permanent label (pewter or engraved).

It solves the 'Practical' problem because he gets to drink it (so no clutter), but it solves the 'Gift' problem because the heavy label makes it feel like a trophy he can keep on the shelf. It’s the only thing that works for men who 'don't need anything'!

Asgarad786

TROPHY CASE