What do you give someone for a wedding present that you hardly know?

Question

Money I guess, but how much is appropriate if you hardly know them?

Answer 1

Well... at a minimum, you shouldn't be an expense to them as a guest at their wedding. It costs at least $25 per person at the reception so if you're going alone I recommend you at least get a gift worth $25 ...if you bring a date...double it.

Answer 2

If you can find out where they're registered, if anywhere, I would look at their registry (online or in the store) and purchase something from it that is relatively bland but still something they want. Most couples getting married, if they register, register for things like bedding and bath stuff, but also simple things like spatulas, skillets, muffin pans, and potholders. All of those sorts of things are quite appropriate for casual acquaintances to give as gifts.

If not that, I wouldn't just give cash. I don't know, maybe I'm just a holdout for the idea of taking the time to get a gift, but if you decide to give "money", I would give a gift card to any one of a wide variety of stores, depending on what you know of the couple. A Walmart or Target gift card is as good as cash, in my opinion. But depending on what you know about them, a gift card to Dillards, JC Penney, Pier One, Lowe's, Home Depot, Pottery Barn, etc. I had some friends who were married and they were both grad students. We got them a Blockbuster gift card and encouraged them to make time often for a romantic movie night, since we knew they wouldn't have much money, and the stresses of early marriage AND grad school could be problematic.

If you decide to do money or gift card, keep it at twenty dollars or less, if you barely know them.

I am appalled by the people who suggest you should spend enough to basically pay for your presence at the wedding. That is the worst example of etiquette I've ever heard of. Plus, not all couples spend about $25-50 per person at the reception. If they decide to use the fancy crystal at the reception instead of the simpler stuff, that does not entitle them to better wedding gifts.

Answer 3

Are you going to the wedding? If not, you don't need to give anything. Just send a card.

And if you are going to the wedding, why are you going if you hardly know them? I never go to weddings if I don't know them well!

But if you are going, $20 is enough to spend.

Answer 4

Recently ran into this with a co-worker...I don't really have to deal with her, but wanted to give her something. I stuck strictly with her bridal registry and with the housewares list, nothing too personal, and set a dollar limit. I think anything up to 25.00 for a gift or for cash is appropriate for someone you barel;y know. But I think cash is best given to someone you know well, stick with the bridal registery.

Answer 5

Go to your local wedding store and get them a photo album for there wedding pictures. That was the best gift I recieved and the cheapest.

Answer 6

I would give them $20 if I hardly knew them...and why do people invite people they hardly know to their wedding? I always wonder this. My mom invited people I never met to mine and I had to pay to feed them.

Answer 7

a gift voucher from a department store like kmart or target no more than $30 that way they can get anything they want

Answer 8

I always go with approx 50$. That basically covers the cost of your plate plus more at most receptions.

Answer 9

I'd go store vouchers for a good store (a store that is useful)

Answer 10

I'd say a nice card with at least $25.00.