Giving a wedding necessity as a Christmas gift...thoughts?

I personally wouldn't like it, but maybe that's because I am the type of person to pay attention to those things. But why don't you try hinting around, say "OH i saw these loving serving utensils and I thought of you.. are you doing those things for your wedding??" same with the guest book. The secret to great gift giving is sneaking around until you find a good gift idea from them lol