How much do you give or spend on a shower gift?

Question

Just interested because I saw a question where one woman only gives $30 for a wedding present so I wonder what she spend on a shower gift!!
I normally spend $50 on a shower gift. Is that normal or too little or too much?

I know it's the thought that counts but what is your general spending rule?

I spend more on a closer friend or family member but I normally go with the range of 50 in mind when I look for things off the registery.

jeannielunchbox it wasn't about you... yes, I saw your question and answered it but I was suprised about the answers and ANOTHER person had ask the same question early- and they said $25 so I up it to 30. Don't get so personal!!
It's not about you!!

I am just wondering- it's nothing personal!! Nothing against anyone or anything!

Answer 1

To clear things up, I was the one that said I spend $25 on a shower gift on one of bubs old questions.

Claws down ladies, now back to the question.

I spend $25 on a shower gift, not a cent more, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Allow me to explain.

I normally spend $100 - $200 on a wedding gift. I give generously and try my best to give the couple a nice check (no more registries for me).

If I'm speding $200 on a gift, I see unnecesary to spend more than $25 on a shower. Yes, you can get useful and fun stuff for showers for $25 or less. A good cookbook, a basket of honeymoon necessities, a marriage survival kit, a first meal as a married couple kit, or a towel cake are some of my favorites... all for little money, memorable and fun.

I personally like showers because you can do/give something creative, funny or something of a personal nature without spending a fortune, and, if you are getting invited to wedding left and right, a break on the pocket book is always good.

Good luck


EDIT: To answer your other question, I honestly didn't caught the mistake. I even re-read it and didn't see it. 8 ). You'll be fine, people won't notice because they just want the details about thye food, location and dress code.
I would like to answer another of your questions. I do look like my avatar, with the exception that my lips are thinner and my hair is much flufflier. And I am who I say I am, bitchy at times, and always bluntly honest, with a dark sense of humor. Great question.!

Answer 2

Unless I know the couple (or one of their parents) well, I will spend about $50 on a wedding gift. I get invited to 2 types of showers--most of them are the ones that we have at church, if someone (or their daughter) is getting married or someone is having a baby, they get a shower hosted by one of the ladies at church, and all the women are invited. Yes, it's a gift grab, but it's also social for the women at church. In those cases, I'll spend $20-$30 on a gift. If it's a shower for someone that I know WELL though, family member, close friend, etc., I'll probably spend up to $50 on a shower gift, and $100 and up on a wedding gift.

But Bubs, that's me and my financial situation, other people may not be in the same financial situation as I am. They may not make the same amount of income, sure, but they may also have unusual family circumstances that limit their budget (having a child in college is one of them--but there's plenty more). I honestly feel that people should give what they are comfortable giving, and the person receiving the gift should accept it graciously, and it should make no difference to them if the gift is valued at $5 or $5,000.

I know when I got married, I got extravagant gifts, and I got very simple gifts. One lady (from church) compiled her favorite recipes, put them on 3X5 cards, and decorated a little file card box. She couldn't have spent more than $5 or $10 on the whole thing, but some of those recipes are absolutely fantastic, and I use many of them to this day. Yeah, I pitched the box pretty quickly, but I'm very glad (as is my hubby) that I didn't pitch the recipes inside. It's been almost 20 years since my wedding, and every time I make one of her recipes, I think of her. I can't tell you who gave me each piece of my china though.

Answer 3

I'll spend $30 or so on a shower gift, $50 & upwards on wedding presents - especially for someone I know & love. If I'm invited to a wedding & only know the bride/groom nominally, I'll usually stop at $40. I always wrap the present beautifully, make sure to have a gorgeous card, etc. A lot more than just buying a gift goes into it!

Answer 4

I normally spend $35-$50 on a shower gift and then spend about $75-$125 on a wedding gift.

One thing I just heard related to how to gauge how much to spend on a wedding gift is to see how nice/expensive the wedding is. If the couple spent $90 per person on the reception dinner, you should spend at least that $90 on your gift. If you bring a guest, you should spend at least $180 on a gift. I don't know if this is typical, but I just read that as a rule of thumb.

Answer 5

I believe that you spend what you can afford to spend and nothing more. I am a bride and I don't expect anything from my guest but to show up on time and enjoy our special day with us and any other events there invited to. I think people need to realize it is about celebrating the love that two people have found and not about what you are giving or getting. I feel it is a nice gesture. If you like to get the couple something get what you think is appropriate. There is no minimum or max unless the couple is greedy! Good luck have fun shopping if you want to, I hoped I helped,

Answer 6

Honestly, it's going to depend on how close I am to the bride. (Obviously, it will be more when it's a dear friend or close relative!)

One thing I can say is that I don't think I've ever purchased a shower gift on my own - it's always been a group gift from friends, or from my MIL & SIL's. I know that sounds odd, but I'm a big believer of pooling resources and getting something really fab off the registry (i.e., place setting(s), service pieces of china, crystal, etc.).

Answer 7

$30? Oh boy...I can't imagine her at an Italian wedding.

For us, the usual shower gift ranges between $50-$100 for friends, depending on how close you are. Family is sometimes in that range, or higher, depending on their financial position and closeness to the bride/groom. Mind you, these showers take place in banquet halls and are usually cash gifts. So essentially your gift is supposed to cover your plate and then some.

Ultimately, everyone has a sense of what is acceptable in their particular social/cultural circle.

Answer 8

I spend what I can afford to pay cash for. Usually get the print-out of their registry and then make a choice. $50 is a nice gift, but if you have to put it on a credit card, I'd reduce the amount. For me it also depends on how close I am to the couple. Would definitely spend more on my sister than a co-worker.

Answer 9

It always depends on how close you are to the bride. I would think $50 is appropriate for a shower gift.

Answer 10

I dont give a wedding and a shower gift so I usually give $100 total at either the wedding or the shower. I refuse to give 2 gifts for 1 event...not happening no way no how.