1. Flowers: This is an easy and go-to item to give. You can pretty much get flowers anywhere and be sure to include a simple note to congratulate your friend or family member.

2. Fruit basket: Give your loved on a basket filled with delicious fresh fruit. There are a lot of companies that can personalize the fruit and cut it to your liking. Also, remember to include a special note.

3. Bottle of wine: Another easy gift to give is a nice bottle of wine. You can pretty find this everywhere and it is a nice way for your loved one to celebrate.

4. Sweet treats: A basket of sweets such as mini cakes, cupcakes and cookies is a nice way to sweeten this special time in your loved ones life.

4. Pillows: For an engagement, one cute idea is to make his and hers pillows as a nice first gift for the happy couple.

5. Custom print: To congratulate your friend, think of giving them a framed picture. This can be of their diploma, engagement picture, or of the name and date when their special occasion happened. 

6. Collection of baby books: For the announcement of a new baby, consider giving the parents-to-be a collection of baby books that they will one day read to their little one.

7. A Card: If all else fails, simply give a thoughtful card that says how much you are excited and proud of your friend.