Okay, you caught me. I'm a wine-o. SHAMELESSLY. There are plenty of reasons to pop the cork on a great bottle of wine, and "A Year of Firsts" provides you with numerous occasions to do exactly that.
If you're stumped on what to get your fellow bride-to-be for her bridal shower gift, look no further. If she loves wine, you can't go wrong with a wine basket (or crate, or box, or... whatever it is you put the wine in).
The first year of a marriage is extra special for a a newlywed couple. Whether it's a fight or a joyous occasion, they will encounter a year filled with first milestones together, and this wine basket will help them conquer it all.
Before purchasing the wine, you're going to need a basket, or your version of one.
I chose to use a wooden crate to store my wine. Other options include a galvanized tub or a wicker basket.
You can purchase the same 18 x 12.5 x 9.5 wooden pallet crate at any craft store (@Michaels, @HobbyLobby), as well as @Walmart for $10.
I spay painted the crate to match the bachelorette's bridal theme. @Michaels has a lock box filled with different colored spray paints you can choose from. I suggest you prime the wood first, because your colored paint will soak into the wood without it.
Use newspaper and/or tissue paper to add height to your basket. For a basket that's extra deep like the crate, use a small box or other object to add height first, then cover the box with tissue paper.
Wedding Night: Monogamy
It's almost scary how many wines exist that fit into these categories perfectly. My first example, Monogamy.
We all know what monogamy is, but in case you don't, it's "the practice or state of being married to one person at a time."
Purchase this wine so the newlyweds can celebrate their first night together as husband and wife.
Monogamy is a dry Cabernet Sauvignon.
First Fight: Clean Slate
Fights are bound to happen. The newlywed bliss will settle, and no two people will always agree with each other.
No matter how big or small, this perfectly named bottle of German Riesling will help the couple wipe the "slate clean."
First Home: House Wine
Yes, a house wine called "House Wine," with an actual house on the label. TOO perfect - this wine needs to be opened when the couple celebrates purchasing their first home as a new family.
My go-to for bridal shower basket is their Original Red Blend, but they have plenty more to offer.
Visit their website HERE.
First Dinner Party: Bread & Butter
The perfectly named wines to fit every occasion continues with "Bread & Butter."
May the newlyweds break bread and open this wine for the first dinner party they host in their new home with friends and family.
In addition to this chardonnay, "Bread & Butter" also has a Pinot Noir.
First Anniversary: Better Half
One year of marriage down, forever to go!
Wish the happy couple a Happy First Anniversary with this Sauvignon Blanc. When they clink their glasses together, they'll be reminded that they're each other's better halves in life.
You gifted them this wine on her bridal shower day, and they'll still be thanking you over a year later.
"Better Half" overs a variety of different wines in their collection in addition to their Sauvignon Blanc.
First Baby: Barefoot
This family just got a little bigger.
Use any bottle of Barefoot to congratulate the couple on expecting their first child. From champagne to pink moscato, it all fits the theme with the little footprint on the label.
The only issue about this milestone is the mother-to-be can't dive into this bottle, but at least dad & family can!
First Valentine's Day: Love Drunk
Beyoncé & Jay-Z said it first - purchase this wine so the couple can get "Drunk in Love" on their First Valentine's Day together.
This lovely Rosé is by Mouton Noir.
There are several valentine related wines out there, so if you can't find this one, you can also look for:
Terra Valentine Marriage
Chateau Julien French Kiss
Inspire Moore Love Riesling
First Christmas Eve: Santa Margherita
Don't be intimated by this bottle's label, it's not as expensive as you may think.
Santa Margherita's Cabernet Sauvignon is around $30. The deep red is a perfect Christmas wine, but even more perfect is how "Santa" is in the name.
Christmas is a special time for family, especially for the couple to celebrate it the first time as husband & wife.
If you'd like to add additional bottle of wines to your basket, here are a few more ideas:
Honeymoon
First New Years
First Thanksgiving
First Big Purchase
If you're crafty, you can create your own tags personalized directly for the couple, or you can purchase a package of them on Etsy.
