Money-saving guide to second-wedding gifts

Are you a bit confused about what to give couples who already have their china, crystal and flatware?

Traditional etiquette dictates that no gifts are required — nor should they be expected — for a second wedding. That being said, most of us want to give the couple a present to show our happiness for them, and want to give something that they also need or like. And since nearly 50 percent of marriages in the U.S. are actually remarriages for one or both partners, it's a dilemma a lot of people face.

TODAY contributor Elizabeth Mayhew shares her spend/save gift guide for wedding gifts in every price range.

Wine or soda
Personalize a case of wine or soda for the couple with the wish that they become a "case" study of a happy marriage.

Spend: Design custom labels for a case of wine from BV Vineyards on their Web site at myweddingmywine.com. They send you the labels, you buy the wine from your local wine merchant. (Wine ranges from $10 to $100 a bottle.)

Save: Snap a digital photo of the couple on their wedding and send it to Jones Soda for them to create custom labels. A perfect gift for the "pop star" couple. ($30 a dozen; myjones.com)

Monogrammed napkins
Personalizing items always make a gift special because it shows that you have taken an extra step in the purchasing and planning.

Spend: Pick from more than 150 colors of napkins and any monogram, crest, icon or design you wish on these custom-embroidered linen napkins. ($50 each; personalbestmonogramshoppe.com)

Save: Choose from six different thread colors for a single embroidered initial. ($24 for a set of 6; potterybarn.com)

Address labels
Personalized adhesive address labels make a useful gift for the couple that has decided to stick together for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

Spend: The graphic borders and hip designs at iomoi (pronounced I-OWE-MWA) make their large labels  must-haves for the design-conscious couple. ($50 for a set of 35 extra-large labels — each measures 5"x7" — and $40 for a set of 120 custom address labels. Or give both for $90; shopiomoi.com)

Save: Large personalized mailing labels come in red or blue. ($39 for 200; thestationerystudio.com)

Key rings
Give a pair of key rings to the couple with your own thoughts on the key to a happy marriage.

Spend: Red Envelope's sterling key ring set comes with one patterned after a keyhole and the other an old-fashioned key. ($110; redenvelope.com)

Save: Lillian Vernon's key ring set forms a completed heart when the two are joined. ($10; lillianvernon.com)

Salt and pepper shakers
Salt has long been considered good luck (haven't you seen people throw it over their shoulder while cooking or at the dinner table?) and pepper — well, because the couple make a great pair!

Spend: Silver-and-ceramic salt and pepper cellars come with small serving spoons — an elegant way to serve the seasonings. ($110; edwinahunt.com)

Save: Silverplated Adams-style salt and pepper shakers are engraved with classical garlands and have silver and gold tops to distinguish between the two. ($30; sourceperrier.com)

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