Nothing's grabbing you, huh? You're a tough customer, Mister. If these gift ideas just aren't you, then you're probably in a more traditional mindset — which is just fine. Any bride who has gone to the trouble to plan a traditional wedding will be thrilled with a traditional gift (and probably has a few in mind).

Personalize It

Most newlyweds love anything monogrammed or engraved. A set of bar glasses (the whole set — not just the highballs or the beer mugs) with their joint initials is something they'll appreciate for years to come. Monogrammed linens are another nice choice. An engraved picture frame with their initials or their newly married title (“The Browns”) will come in handy — they'll be displaying their wedding photos as soon as they have them in their hands.

There are many, many monogramming options. You might choose to use a single initial (your daughter's first name or her husband's surname), you could use your daughter's maiden name, or you might choose to intertwine the newlyweds' names. For example, Ellen White, who has married Andrew Brown, might receive linens monogrammed in any of the following ways: EBA (wife's first, husband's last, husband's first initials); ABE (husband's first and last followed by wife's first initial); or W.B (surnames separated by a period or some sort of embroidery).

Antiques or Furniture

Consider giving your daughter a family heirloom — whether it's the cedar chest that belonged to your mother or the bracelet that belonged to your wife's grandmother.

No antiques of your own? Buy the couple a refurbished clock dating back 100 years, or an old-fashioned chest of drawers. Something that has already weathered the test of time is always an appropriate and meaningful wedding gift.

But you hate antiques, you say, and so does your daughter. All right. How about a new sofa for the newlyweds, or a kitchen table that will last until they're ready to pass it on to their own kids? Maybe they'd love to have a good desk or a coffee table.

Don't be afraid to consult with them to make sure you pick the right piece of furniture — after all, this is something they'll end up living with and looking at day in and day out, hopefully for many years to come. If you want to surprise them, consider surprising them with the opportunity to choose an item for their home. If you choose wrong, it will be an expensive mistake.