What does it mean when a wedding invitation says "No boxed gifts?"?

Question

I am going to my friend's wedding and it says that in her invitation. What does that mean? Does it mean they expect money?

My parents thought it was rude too. When I was getting married, we made sure that we did not mention gifts in the invitations in any way.

Answer 1

As everyone has already said the obvious answer (that they are rude)--I shall attempt to give a different answer. Perhaps it is a destination wedding and they'd have to Fedex all gifts home. Or they are moving and meant that they could not fly with any big boxed gifts. They were out of room and meant that due to FAA regulations, please do not give us something boxed but instead wait until we have a new address and mail it there. I have seen that politely added in the invite. "As many of you know, we are in the process of moving to California. Much of our belongings are in storage but we do not have a new address. We will send it out to each of you as soon as possible" That politely informed guests that a big box would be difficult to transport.

Or my only other thought is that they meant
In lieu of gifts please make a donation to a charity in our name. We have all the boxed gifts we need and there are many people who are in far greater need than us. They just didn't know how to phrase it like that.

That is exactly what I would do for them. I would make a nice donation--I recommend St Jude's Children's hospital or Susan G Komen Breast Cancer fund. Worthwhile charities and I'm sure thats EXACTLY what the couple meant. Not to mention--if they were rudely asking for cash, you have nicely not given in to their rudeness and perhaps set them in their place. In fact, I would even include a polite note. Something along the lines of: I know you didn't want anything in a box taking up space, so for your wedding we have made a donation to this charity. We know it is what you wanted most--something that's worth is beyond the limited scope of a box. Congratulations and we wish you many happy years together.

Answer 2

If this is a destination wedding then the Bride and Groom do not want want the "burden" of shipping the wedding gifts to their home (in another city). Reason being: fear of getting lost or damaged or just not wanting to pay for the shipping charges.

This may also be a "discreet" way of saying the Bride and Groom only want CASH. Many wedding guests are offended and insulted when a Bride and Groom make this "cash only" request. If you are uncomfortable with their request then consider a gift certificate instead.

True story . . A Bride and Groom made it well known that they only wanted "cash" as wedding gifts. The Bride's Aunt had already purchased them a very nice gift that cost $150 so she returned it to the store where it was purchased. The day of the wedding the Bride's Aunt placed a wrinkled ten dollar bill in a plain white envelope with the words . . "I returned the nice gift I bought you. It's your loss."

Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

Answer 3

they're looking for money. Sorry, I only give boxed gifts...so they'd either have to "settle" for that or not get a gift at all. The only way I could see them asking for no boxed gifts is if they are getting married overseas and would have no way of transporting those gifts home or if they were moving far away right after the wedding and worried about packing more stuff. Other than that, it's very off-putting.

Answer 4

In some cultures, such as the Pakistani culture, this practice is customary and not considered rude at all. Family and friends are happy to help the couple to establish a new home, and this is a practical way to do so. The phrase "no boxed gifts please" is often used to indicate this custom.
Please don't assume that if one culture consider something rude, it is seen the same way across the world. I have been to Indian and Pakistani weddings and they are a lovely change from the standard U.S. wedding. Be open minded and don't judge so much! Look at this issue with new eyes, and you may learn something!

Answer 5

I have to agree with the others that it implies we want things that are not bulky i.e. boxed and would prefer cash or checks. I'm glad i didn't see an invite like that. I think too much and have a mean streak. By the time I was done they'd have a stack of McDonald's Gift Cards very unboxed and all not worth more than 5 bucks a pop.

Answer 6

That's generally EXACTLY what they are saying. AND...it's very rude, and a major breach of etiquette. To mention anything about gifts in the actual wedding invitation is rudeness beyond rudeness. I would not give cash or a gift card in this case, but would deliberately go out and buy an actual gift--and wouldn't include a gift receipt either.

Answer 7

It means that the couple has no clue about invitation etiquette! You are never to list gift information on your invitation; even on your bridal shower invitation, you shouldn't tell your guests how you want the gifts presented. Rude! I say get them what you want and wrap it how you want. If you're nice enough to give them a gift (which is only customary, not mandatory) then they should be grateful, regardless of its packaging. Stand your ground!

Answer 8

It is the couple's attempt at getting away with saying "We want money". It is incredibly tacky....the "no boxed gifts" is a new one to me....yet another example of people trying to be greedy and use their wedding as a fundraiser.

I would not give them a gift. Period. Gifts are chosen by the giver, not by the receiver. If they are rude enough to assume they can tell you what to give them...I would give them exactly what they asked for. No boxed gifts. No gifts at all.

Answer 9

As the others have said it is a ploy for cash.

I'm sorry, I know others have said don't take a gift. I can't do that. I can however follow directions to an irritating level. Which means I would still get them towels and put them in a large gift bag.

Answer 10

1. It means that they are very ignorant of ettiquite and is very, very, very rude

2. Yes it means they want money or giftcards.

Personally I would ignore it because they might not know better and think they are being helpful for whatever reason. I would give them the stupid giftcard they wanted but I would knock off some of the amount I would have normally spent because I just find it offensive to make it sound like my gift is required to come.

The charitable donation is an option but since I know that wasn't their intention doing something like that would just be spitefull and make me just as rude.