Bridal shower gift budget

[wishesuponastar]

What do you set as your budget for the shower? I spend about $30 on something from the registry. But when I get to the shower and everyone ooohs and ahhhs over the $100 blender and $250 dishes I feel like a cheapskate. I spend what I can afford. We are going to the cousin's wedding soon and we will give $200 for the wedding gift from DH and I.

btw the $30 I spent today on the shower gift was at Bed Bath and DD-10 and I had such fun wrapping up the 3 items in a box and satin ribbon that Bed Bath provides The items I bought are two Oxo tongs and a set of 2 bbq kabob baskets.

 

[KeroKero]

For me my budget depends on how well I know the person (on a personal level, not just cause you're related to me means you get a costly present). Someone important to me I don't mind spending upwards of $200 on a shower present, but for someone I barely know or whose shower I have to attend just because I would prefer to send around the $50-100 level.

 

[azdizzymom]

I honestly would spend what you are comfortable with and leave it at that. I think $30 is very generous for a shower gift and it sounds like you got great presents for the shower. I wouldn't worry about feeling like a 'cheapskate' at a shower after seeing all the other gifts. As you opened your baby shower gifts and wedding shower gifts did you think oh this must have cost $XX.XX, etc. or were you just happy to get things and be with the people. It sounds like you got really nice things that any bride-to-be should enjoy.

Enjoy the shower...

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I usually go with a place setting of fine china - so $200 or so. If they just want everyday china from say a Crate and Barrel - I will buy multiple place settings.

$150 - $200 is the range for shower gifts. Cash for the wedding.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I honestly would spend what you are comfortable with and leave it at that. I think $30 is very generous for a shower gift and it sounds like you got great presents for the shower. I wouldn't worry about feeling like a 'cheapskate' at a shower after seeing all the other gifts. As you opened your baby shower gifts and wedding shower gifts did you think oh this must have cost $XX.XX, etc. or were you just happy to get things and be with the people. It sounds like you got really nice things that any bride-to-be should enjoy.

Enjoy the shower...

You're right, I enjoyed having all the people around me at my showers. I will try to stop thinking that I didn't give enough.

 

[Fire14]

I personally tend towards 30-50 range.
For my Shower I received:
A book type thing with fill in blanks ( not nice ones you get from hallmark)
some tupperware from Bridesmaid/friend
A laundry basket full of goodies from my parents
A few picture frames that I honestly couldn't tell where their at now.
a few other odd and end type things
A kitchen untisel set ( think it was 13 or 15 pice set.)

 

[DSNY4ever]

I know exactly how you feel! I have to set a budget for baby showers and wedding showers and some people go over the top it makes you feel cheap, but you have to do what you can afford.

I always try to throw some sort of personal touch in there to make the gift seem more special such as a homemade card (also a money saver, haha), or if I am giving some sort of cooking or baking item I add in my favorite recipe that I would use that item for such as cookies for cookie sheets or quiche for a pie pan etc. Or I add in some homemade jam with a muffin tin or something. It make me feel like if I can't spend as much at least I am doing something thoughtful

Just remember that being there for your friend to celebrate the event is the most important thing!

 

[mjkacmom]

I ooh and aah at all of the gifts, regardless of how expensive they are. Seriously, I am not going to get excited over a couple of hand towels, or a dyson vacuum. I remember my grandmother bought my flatware, which was pretty expensive (I think $300, 16 years ago). I still have it, have added more (where do spoons go?), and I remember she gave it to me, not because of the cost, but because I really loved her a lot. I'm so glad she gave me something practical, that is still used daily.

 

[luckyfin]

I am amazed at what some people mentioned they spend for a shower! Holy Cow! I realize that this can be regional, but oh my! I will normally spend $35-$40 for a shower. I would spend more if it was my sister or best friend. I had 8 weddings this year so far, and went to showers for all but one of those weddings. Multiple showers for the 2 weddings that I was in. I could in no way afford to pay more than that for a shower gift. However, I was still able to illicit the oohs and aahs for this price point.

I normally try to buy something off the registry but I will add to the gift with items that are not. So- I might buy a pasta pot but then add gourmet sauces and pastas or something along those lines. For one close friend I went to a local winery and had a custom wine label made that basically personalized the bottle with their names and said something along the lines of enjoying it on their first anniversary. The wineries around here will do custom labels for a very nominal cost (a buck or two). I added a wine stopper and a cheese board with cheese utensils and a few other things I can't think of off the top of my head. The gift got a great reaction and it was inexpensive and easy.

 

[okeydokey]

25 or 30 is my comfort zone, and it doesn't seem to be out of the ordinary for my family and friends. The bigger ticket items are usually purchased by Moms close Aunts or as a group gift.

 

[Disneychix]

For a few friends I did the group thing and we spent about $40 each but got a bigger item. For wedding showers I used to do about $40 but now that we are all onto baby showers I spend about $50 now. (but I'm also older and my budget is a bit better).

 

[MrsPete]

How much I'd spend depends up on how close I am to the person. For a close family member, I'd spend quite a bit and try to get something very nice. For a casual aquaintance -- say, someone I know in passing from church or someone at work with whom I'm friendly -- I'd say $25-30.

In my experience, most of the BIG GIFTS tend to be from groups; for example, co-workers who go together to get an expensive item together rather than several less expensive items.

 

[horseshowmom]

How much I'd spend depends up on how close I am to the person. For a close family member, I'd spend quite a bit and try to get something very nice. For a casual aquaintance -- say, someone I know in passing from church or someone at work with whom I'm friendly -- I'd say $25-30.

In my experience, most of the BIG GIFTS tend to be from groups; for example, co-workers who go together to get an expensive item together rather than several less expensive items.

I agree. I generally buy from Bed, Bath, and Beyond because almost everybody is registered there. Then I make sure I use have one of their 20% off coupons. I generally wind up at $20-$23 out of pocket (after the coupon).

For those closer to me, I would select an item off the registry that was $50 to $100 (and then use the coupon).

Fortunately, in my area people don't purchase separate shower gifts and then do something additional for the wedding.