Budget wedding gift

[csharpwv]

I've given nice silver or crystal picture frames-they're going to have alot of nice pictures from their wedding and honeymoon. I really hate to think anyone invites wedding guests expecting a gift to equal the cost of their meal. If you invite people that matter to you and your family you shouldn't care if or what they give as a gift. I have a set of salt and pepper shakers from a darling elderly couple that lived in our neighborhood when I was growing up-everytime I take them out and use them I remember them with love-that's the kind of gift I would like to give or receive.

SLM,

We received the Michael Graves Stainless Steel "Whirly-Gig" Teapot as a wedding gift from an older lady we went to church with - We loved it and we keep it on our stove still - and we've been married almost 4 years!

A Gift given with love - that's what its all about! If the wedding registry has been 'bought out' - it's the guests free reign to choose the gift! There are benefits to waiting until the last minute to buy a gift!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Have you ever received a gift you really didn't care to receive? LOL
Same principal is at play here - are you going to NOT send a thank you note to someone who donated to a charity you didn't care to support personally?

Just like all gifts - it's the thought that counts. I think it is very tacky to expect a gift from anyone at your wedding. You invited them - you covered the cost of food and entertainment, without expecting anything in return except for their presence at your wedding - not their presents. If the food was bad, the service was horrible, are you going to ask for your money back?

I guess I grew up in an area that valued gifts, and giving to others more than other areas of the country. So whether you think a charitable gift is a good gift or not - it is a gift.

I think I may give the first of a goat at the next wedding we attend!

It would certainly give the bride and groom a story to tell!

It's not the same at all. Let's just say for arguments sake that the "charity" gift was for the NRA. Not everyone agrees with them and maybe doesn't want their name associated with them. That's not really a gift. That is supporting the gift giver's cause. If you wanted to really make it a gift you would find out what charity the couple supports and send a donation there. Not to the charity of YOUR choice.
I also did not care if people gave gifts or not at our wedding.

 

[csharpwv]

It's not the same at all. Let's just say for arguments sake that the "charity" gift was for the NRA. Not everyone agrees with them and maybe doesn't want their name associated with them. That's not really a gift. That is supporting the gift giver's cause. If you wanted to really make it a gift you would find out what charity the couple supports and send a donation there. Not to the charity of YOUR choice.
I also did not care if people gave gifts or not at our wedding.

LOL I would never donate to a charity that had a political agenda that didn't agree with my own views - let alone not knowing the political views of the bride and groom! There is a big difference between a bona-fide charity and an organization like the NRA.

But still - like I said before - it's the thought that counts!

There are dozens of way to creatively give a gift when your wallet can't afford to 'cover a plate' - or like I did a few times in college when I couldn't afford to give a gift - I RSVP'd to the CEREMONY only. I was never a party animal LOL - and I find wedding receptions very awkward unless you know quite a few people who will be attending.

Or as I have heard done a few times - an older lady a the church I attended through college made 'coupons' to put in wedding cards - she offered to house-sit, do laundry, clean their house, or even tend their flowers in the summer and other things like that. It's a gift of love, and that lady LOVED to clean and keep busy especially in the summer - plus she had been very happily married for 50+ years and was a widow with no children or grandchildren - so she had 'family' all over town! It was a very beautiful thing!

 

[beansmom]

first off, i don't believe the NRA is classified as a 401c charity..i could be wrong and would be shocked if it was. Secondly, I agree that it's hard to imagine anyone being offended at a gift to Habitat for Humanity, Make a wish or the local animal shelter.

I think 2 flutes from Tiffany along with a nice bottle of wine would be a nice gift (assuming they drink). I'm not a 'brand name' person but Tiffany does have a certain cache to it.

Having said that....about the 'cover their plate' thing. We are planning a wedding for next spring. We would be appalled that anyone would think they have to 'pay' their way into our wedding. If you are invited, it is because you are a loved one with whom we wish to share our joy on our special day. We are older, established and will not accept any gifts but even if we were not, what you 'bring to the party' would not be the reason you got an invitation.

 

[hambirg]

I think you should give what you can afford. If $50 is the amount you are comfortable with. . .I would peruse their registry to at least get a feel for their tastes. . .then head on out to Ross or TJ Max and spend $50. I'm sure you can find something that is more in the range of $100-150 in value for that 50 bucks. Seriously, at least in my neck of the woods, a $50 gift (in value) would be completely appropriate. . .so I would spend say $20-$30 at Ross or TJ Max.


Just wanted to add. . .I would be mortified if I ever knew a guest didn't come to my wedding because they couldn't afford a gift! Their presence would be gift enough.

 

[tommya60]

I love those Tiffany items. They might be my new "go to" gifts. I wouldn't worry about how much you spend, if $50 is it, then it's $50--with the best wishes of a friend.

If I have time for shipping, I shop Shannon. They usually have some Waterford on sale. Right now they have this:
http://www.shopshannon.com/marquis/gift/honourvase.htm Marquis by Waterford vase for $39

If I don't have shipping time, try TJ Maxx, Marshall's or Home Goods. You can get a lot of gift for less money and really stretch your dollars.

Personally, I use the mixing bowls someone gave us from Mervyn's almost daily. Love them. I do enjoy the crystal, but I use the mixing bowls. And the oven mits and aprons from Williams-Sonoma. 19 years later they are still going strong.

 

[ptmmg]

I love those Tiffany items. They might be my new "go to" gifts. I wouldn't worry about how much you spend, if $50 is it, then it's $50--with the best wishes of a friend.

If I have time for shipping, I shop Shannon. They usually have some Waterford on sale. Right now they have this:
http://www.shopshannon.com/marquis/gift/honourvase.htm Marquis by Waterford vase for $39

If I don't have shipping time, try TJ Maxx, Marshall's or Home Goods. You can get a lot of gift for less money and really stretch your dollars.

Personally, I use the mixing bowls someone gave us from Mervyn's almost daily. Love them. I do enjoy the crystal, but I use the mixing bowls. And the oven mits and aprons from Williams-Sonoma. 19 years later they are still going strong.

that vase is beautiful and what a bargain I will have to remember that site

 

[2girlsmommy]

I think you should spend what you can afford. We got married 5 years ago and invited people from all types of income levels. I recieved more crystal champagne flutes than I can count and i've used each one maybe once...but a metal set of trivets for my table I use everyday! Or a really nice pepper mill I use that everyday too! Those gifts didn't cost very much...but they are used often and the people that gave them to me are thought of often because of them. Really in the end it is the thought that counts...why not something that is personalized being newly married you love to see your new initials on things! Just my two cents!