I'm friends with the bride and groom, but not close friends. Also, I'm a student, whereas they are working and clearly have more money than I do. On the other hand, I did get an invitation to the wedding. I would like to get them something off the registry, but not sure how much $ is appropriate. Any ideas?
2006-07-08 17:39:48 · 7 answers · asked by wisdomtooth 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
your budget should tell you how much you can spend. an expensive gift is not necessarily the best. if you shop around you may find a very nice gift for a price you can afford. don't feel compelled to shop from the registry. never try to impress someone by spending, especially if you cannot afford it. plus, there's nothing wrong with a wedding themed gift card...this will allow the newlyweds to spend the money as they see fit.
2006-07-08 17:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by loving 40+ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Based on your situation give what you can and buy a gift. Alot of times buying a present will be more personal and it hides the amount you spent if you are worried about that. Giving money on the other hand is easy but the bride and groom will know how much you spent. Consider making something, it's unique, very personal and a hot idea and trend right now. Do some research, look at magazines or even ask a newlywed couple or married couple about some ideas. Couples will be a great source of information and inspiration. Check to see if your friends have a registry. Do your best, if your friends value and love you they will appreciate your gift no matter what it is and will know it's not the gifts at the wedding its the instrinsic gift that comes with a great marriage!
2006-07-08 17:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When an invitation for a wedding is issued to a person it is a request for their attendence. Giving a gift is optional, although in the US, traditional. A wedding should not be a gift grab, nor should guests be expected to spend enough to "cover" their plate (thisi means the cost of the food you're eating). If the couple is concerned about how much they'll get in monetary gifts, then they should just charge admission.
There is no "set" ammount one must spend on a gift. Don't think that you must spend $50 or more. Only spend what you can afford.
I had eldery relatives who attended my wedding who I didn't expect any more out of them than their attendence. Some of them gave us gifts while others gave us a card with $5. I didn't matter to me. All that matter was that they spent our special day with us.
Gift registeries can be great starting points for discovering what the couple needs or wants and what colors they are decorating their home in. I often will look up a registery to get ideas, and then go and buy or make something that isn't on the registery, but compliments what is there.
For a shower gift you could buy the bride some bath gel or salts, a candle to match the towels they've picked, and some chocolates and put them in a nice basket. All of these items could be purchased at Walmart for under $30.
Wedding gift ideas could include a nice picture frame (Target, Ross or TJ Maxx all have nice frames at reasonable prices), a "bouquet" of kitchen spoons/spatulas/misc gagets, photo album, or you can make something yourself. One of the nicest gifts we recieved was our ring pillow which was made by my mom's supervisor. She cross-stitched our wedding date and names onto a hand made pillow.
2006-07-08 23:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by Just Jess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are a student, and they are probably aware of this, I think that spending between $20 and $50 is reasonable. Obviously you do not have a steady flow of income at the moment. And a gift is a gift. Do what is comfortable for you.
2006-07-08 17:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by Suki B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being on a budget and just by them inviting you, they are happy enough with you coming. most would say if put money in a nice card or spend 20 to 25 on a gift is just fine. at many weddings you will see alot of cards which people put cash in. if the registry is to expensive, get a nice card with a personal note in it wishing them well with 20 or 30 dollars in it. the average wedding cash is 100.00 on up but many put 20 to 50 in the card. contrary to what people think. as my marriage long ago. we had to rent a truck just for the gifts and you get ten toasters, etc like that. not everyone uses the registry. and alot of envelopes. alot of couples like the cash as it pays for the wedding, honeymoon, etc. we had over 900 at ours and got over 35 grand in cash and that was in 1980. we had friends who put ten dollars in a card. we knew they couldn't afford it going to school. just having them there was enough for us.
2006-07-08 17:53:18 · answer #5 · answered by hollywood71@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally $50 and up for a wedding gift, but if money's tight you could always write them a poem or something.
2006-07-08 17:43:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be guided by your budget.
Buy something practical instead of something nice but they won't find any use for.
2006-07-08 19:02:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋