I was just invited to my cousins cook out for her birthday, I am really in a financial bind at the moment. Since it is a "birthday" cookout well-for her birthday, does that mean I have to bring something? (I know that may sound rude)-but I am really on the short end with money at the moment.
2007-06-26 03:56:28 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I have to admit I do not even have money for food right now. And she never does anything for my events anyways.
2007-06-26 04:02:35 · update #1
I am sorry gal but it is a birthday party so its only polite to bring something....... how about a dish or a bottle of wine ?
2007-06-26 03:59:19 · answer #1 · answered by aunt_webby 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is only proper to bring something, but remember that gifts do not always have to be purchased. Maybe you have a photograph of when you were kids that you could give your cousin enclosed in a handmade card. If you do not have a photo, I am sure someone in your family must have one. Another suggestion might be to write a little speach or poem about the person and share it with everyone. If you're not that close, try to be on the humorous side to lighten everyone up. If you are musically gifted, sing or play them a song or if you are artistic, try drawing or painting something. Not everything in life has to be done with a lot of money. The most important thing is that it comes from you and that it's from your heart.
Good luck to you!
2007-06-26 12:53:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HOnestly YOU really should bring a gift but you can alsways find some great sales at certain stores like JC-Pennys. Or try making her something. You may also tell her you are in a bind for money and you apologize but the gift will have to come at a later date.
Lastly you can give her a card saying you will take her out to dinner or lunch at a later date and that too would put the burden off to the future but a gift would be appropriate
If it was a male you would be able to get away with it more but females are sentimental
2007-06-26 11:00:30 · answer #3 · answered by kate 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bring something funny. Like find a big giant rock and wrap it up as pretty as you can. Then make up some story about it... like it was the original "Pet Rock" .....or that it was the only thing you could find that was older than she was....or that if she was feeling really "old" that she could take comfort in the fact that here is a paperweight that is about a million years older.....or that you wanted to get her some of her favorite music and that all you remembered is that she really liked rock....etc.
Even if you're not in a financial bind, these type of gifts are always the most memorable....
To answer your question, of course you have to bring a gift! but that doesn't mean you have to spend a cent...
2007-06-26 11:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you are supposed to bring something any time you are invited to someones home (unless it is immediate family, I guess, but even then that would be nice). But it doesnt have to be a gift. It can be some flowers or a bottle of wine (you can spend under 10 dollars here) and a card.
They are providing you with food and drinks I presume? So it is only polite of you to show a token of thanks for that, let alone her birthday.
2007-06-26 14:25:45 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet Valley High 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that depends on your cousins age and personality if she is an adult a card will do just fine or just you wi fine. If it is a child I would say 5$ in a card would be just fine. Or go to the local dollar store and get her something. Kids don't understand money troubles like adults do. If you choose not to go than call to wish them a happy birthday. But again all this depends on your cousin. I would rather have my cousin than than a gift.
2007-06-26 11:21:56 · answer #6 · answered by Petra 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could always buy or make a card for her birthday, and just go to the picnic. You don't have to give a present, most people are just happy that you thought enough to come and celebrate their birthday with them. It is not always about what you can buy for someone. Today everything seems to revolve around monetary issues. If you can't afford it you shouldn't feel bad about it. After all she is family and should understand, you don't owe her a thing. Its not about gifts its about being there.
2007-06-26 11:12:30 · answer #7 · answered by mel 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ummmmmm if ur close to ur cousin l'm sure she knows ur financial status at the moment sooo just let her know that u cant bring anything at the moment, that happened to me once and my cuz understood she told me ohh das fine just bring yourselves thats all that counts. So what I did was i didnt bring a gift but i had some change and bought a cheap b day card.The way i see things is u dont always have to bring extravagent gift cards are good it is the thought that counts.
2007-06-26 11:03:51 · answer #8 · answered by A G 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're really strapped for cash, then make a nice card from one of the free card-sites on the Net and forgo the gift.
In reality, your presence is more important than your presents.
That said, if your cousin is shallow and rude enough to point out your lack of duty - er I mean gift - then level with her. "Sally, I'm really broke right now and simply couldn't afford a gift." That ought to shut her up.
2007-06-26 12:19:09 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You dont necessarily have to bring a gift. Make a date to go to the movies or something like that. That way you will have time to save a little money.
2007-06-26 11:04:24 · answer #10 · answered by aim4perfection18 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was taught when you're invited to always bring something other than yourself. Call your cousin and explain the financial difficulties let her be the one to tell you it's alright come anyway. Better to know the truth than to let one (esp a relative) assume its something else.We all go through or have been where you are, who knows, it might make you guys closer.
2007-06-26 11:05:25 · answer #11 · answered by Queen 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋