Need some suggestions as to what would make a thoughtful gift for my youngest step-brother who's getting married next Saturday.

I'm not too close to him nor his elder brother, but we all get along fine. So I really don't know what he needs/wants.

Complicating the fact is that he & his (by then) wife will be based in Switzerland for 3 years while he undertakes a post-doctorate research project.

The easiest thing to do would be to give cash, but my other half says no. Her thinking is that we should give something that they can look at a few years
from now & recall who gave it to them.

Not looking for appliances, cutlery etc as I figure there's no point when they're not going to be setting up home here for a few years yet. So I'm looking for either:

a. Something useful they could bring along with them to Switzerland that would help them set up house there, or

b. A keepsake or trinket that they could bring along with them & perhaps display in the apartment they rent (at least, I think they'll rent an apartment).

Any ideas?

I suggest a photo album, filled with memories from their past, like their family, friends, marriage certificet, things like that, plus a place to keep their well wishes. buy a big album, so they can still have some room to add things of their own, least that is what I would buy, not knowing them, or their taste, really can not tell you much

Thanks Stormy, your guess is as good as mine, heh.

OK, photo album. Now to crack my head & think of where I could get a fancy one...

Any else has any other suggestions?

a simple idea, if you go with this thought, buy a plain album, and whit lace and satin, and a hot glue gun, and make it your self put a little more sencerity in it

I gave my cousins this backpack that came with plastic dishes, cups and silverware for two along with napkins. It was basically a picnic basket, but in a backpack type of thing instead of a basket (They sell them that way, I didn't get a backpack and put the stuff in it). They have holders in the pack for the stuff. It's real nice, especially if they like hiking or outdoors stuff as it's much easier to carry around than a picnic basket.
They loved it and use it often, so that might be a good idea. It wasn't too expensive either, I think under $50.

Thanks for the idea, unfortunately I don't think that's available where I live.

You can get them here, but they sell them in lots of different stores. I got mine in "The Earth Shop", but I think you can get them at some of those sporting good or camping supply stores:

http://www.thetreasureshoppee.com/pi...cks-for-2.html
http://www.picnicplanet.com/picnicbackpacks2.html
http://www.picnicaccessories.com/pro..._backpacks.htm (this is in UK)

There are many other places too, if anyone's interested.