Confessions of A Passive-Aggressive Gift Giver (Or Thank Goodness For Avant Garden In Highland Park Village)

Many of my friend’s children are now getting married, and the grouchy, really awful part in me rebels a little at some of the gift registries I am seeing. In these moments rather than purchase something as old lady as the elaborate tissue boxes or as pointless as monogrammed grill tools (tools, yes, monogram, why?) on the registry list, I search for something that might last, or give delight, or both. Avant Garden in Highland Park Village to the rescue, where I found a 6-hole crystal vase for singlets. It weighs a few pounds, classic but sleek; a bit of an investment ($340) but a beautiful vessel for the last blooms in a bouquet. Even more, it will last a lifetime, and the mean old judgmental bossy lady in me likes that idea lots. Other gift ideas?