What do you think of this wedding gift?

[dhdozier]

The daughter of some close friends is getting married, and we budgeted $100 for a wedding present, but instead of just putting $100 in an envelope, my DH and I decided to purchase a $100 gift card for Groupon and give that to them. The couple will be living in Pittsburgh, which is a Groupon town, and I thought it would be a fun way to encourage them to enjoy themselves with the $100 (and they'll get at least $200 worth of value for using it, because of how Groupon works). They have very few items on their registry, and have been living together for about a year, and are both in graduate school (both had full ride scholarships to undergrad and grad, so no student debt, thankfully!).

What do you think - does this sound like a fun gift?

KC

I love your idea! I use groupon ALOT!!! I have bought many deals from them, for hotels for vacation stays in Orlando many times - Nick hotel, Coco Key resort, Doubletree at Sea World, Wyndham in DTD - and then for great deals on 3 different tours when we visited Las Vegas, and despite what naysayers think - their customer service is fab! Even my mom likes using groupon and just recently she found a deal for a local waterpark where she could get tickets for 1/2 admission cost which saved her a bundle with 5 grands. I notice they frequently have restaurants posted on groupon so they can always use it for that. Kuddos on a gift that is different!

 

[SaraJayne]

I love your idea! I use groupon ALOT!!! I have bought many deals from them, for hotels for vacation stays in Orlando many times - Nick hotel, Coco Key resort, Doubletree at Sea World, Wyndham in DTD - and then for great deals on 3 different tours when we visited Las Vegas, and despite what naysayers think - their customer service is fab! Even my mom likes using groupon and just recently she found a deal for a local waterpark where she could get tickets for 1/2 admission cost which saved her a bundle with 5 grands. I notice they frequently have restaurants posted on groupon so they can always use it for that. Kuddos on a gift that is different!

As evidenced by this thread, many, many people don't use groupon, so it would be a waste if the couple does not (or chooses not to) use the site.

 

[bpesch]

I don't think I would go the Groupon route unless I was sure that they do that type of thing. Lots of people don't. I know people who get embaressed using any coupons at restaurants. So unless I knew it would get used and they would enjoy it, I would go the cash route.

 

[dhdozier]

As evidenced by this thread, many, many people don't use groupon, so it would be a waste if the couple does not (or chooses not to) use the site.

I see your point of view if they do not use them but disagree with your many,many quantity. There are not even 20 replies to this post. And, my post only cited personal use and that of my mom, not even mentioning the use of others (I have at least 10 close work colleagues who in fact use groupon for vacations as well, I get stopped at work often by others talking about travel plans and know of groupon use for that). The op asked what did we think - some don't like the idea but I for one do and wanted to encourage her thoughtfulness. As a side note, you could send a quick e-mail and inquire if they are familiar with it. If so, they may appreciate it - if not, then you could consider other options.

 

[MariDisney]

If you want your gift to be used for something fun in their new city then I would suggest a gift card to do something fun. A cool or popular restaurant, an upcoming event you know they'd like, whatever. Or I would just give them cash. I wouldn't want a Groupon gc. I'm in the camp that they come with a lot of restrictions and are a bit of a hassle. I know one person who is an avid Grouponer and she's the only one that I would give this gift to because I know that she'd be thrilled.

I agree with this. I would be very grateful for any gift, of course. However, I've been getting the groupon emails (Philadelphia and suburbs) for months, maybe even a year or more, and I've never once seen anything that made me want to buy that was worth the hassle I would enjoy a gift card to a fun restaurant or musical event or something like that. I guess I'm just not a groupon person.

 

[HayGan]

As someone who lives in the Pittsburgh area, I would strongly suggest that you don't give them a Groupon. If you are not familiar with our region, Pittsburgh is essentially divided into 4 geographic regions (North & South Hills and the the East & West - there is also the city which get into a real mess). Groupons that people would want to use in specific areas tend to be very limited. I purchase typically less than 1 groupon a month. And when I do order them it is typically for deals like prints or photo books or sometimes activities. Such a large gc for Groupon for this area I would really think is a bad idea.

For instance, today's deal is a minature golf place that isn't even remotely close to me or probably 3/4ths of the regions poulation!

 

[secretpantssam]

Personally, I would find that to be a frustrating gift because I don't use groupon so I would have to figure it out and I might not find things I actually want to buy on there. I have used living social here and there, but I don't even think Ive found $100 worth of things I've wanted to buy in the year and a half I've been using it. Unless you know they are huge groupon users, i think the cash would be more appreciated.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

The daughter of some close friends is getting married, and we budgeted $100 for a wedding present, but instead of just putting $100 in an envelope, my DH and I decided to purchase a $100 gift card for Groupon and give that to them. The couple will be living in Pittsburgh, which is a Groupon town, and I thought it would be a fun way to encourage them to enjoy themselves with the $100 (and they'll get at least $200 worth of value for using it, because of how Groupon works). They have very few items on their registry, and have been living together for about a year, and are both in graduate school (both had full ride scholarships to undergrad and grad, so no student debt, thankfully!).

What do you think - does this sound like a fun gift?

KC

No. It sounds like a terrible gift.

Give them the cash instead.

 

[Lucille1963]

I like groupon, I use groupon on a regular basis, but I think I'd still prefer to give (and receive) the cash. When I got married we did receive a nice sized cash gift from a friend that included a little note that it wasn't to be used for anything practical. It was fun to be frivolous with some of the money, and it really didn't have any strings attached (like a gift card to a specific site would).

 

[The Wise One]

Cash is so much better! My husband and I got married 3 years ago and I honestly wish everyone had given us cash instead of buying things from our registry. Our best gift was a $100 visa gift card from my hubby's aunt that we used to pay for an extra night in our hotel at Disney on our honeymoon! =)

 

[bethy]

I would have to vote for cash. Groupon would be an example of a gift that has a lot of strings attached for most people. $100 is a perfectly generous gift - no need to try and "stretch" it.

And then if this couple is into Groupon they can always opt to buy one themselves using the cash.

 

[leahjade]

Another vote for CASH! I have a relative who every year gives me a gift card for a restaurant that I hate - I don't want to be rude and say I hate it there so I give it away each time. You can't go wrong with cash especially for newlyweds who often don't get a lot of the little things they need when moving into a house or apartment.

 

[srferson]

Like others, I think it's great that you are not only giving a nice gift, but also trying to do something a little different or more interesting than just a check.

However, I am also one who would not like a GroupOn card. Give them the cash/check. And if you want to be interesting, do something cute with it, like the suggestion of putting it in a nice frame they can use.

GroupOn is a hassle if you aren't into it. But everyone is into cash.

 

[KCMiller]

Hmm. Lots to think about. Just for the record, the reason my DH and I thought of this is because we use Groupon a LOT. In the past year, we've gotten a $50 Groupon for the Aveda Institute for $20, a $20 Groupon for Barnes & Noble for $10, and a Groupon worth $30 for a hardcover photo book for $10. None of these required me to spend more than the value of the Groupon. I've also purchased several Groupons for restaurants (always at least 50% off) and there are no stipulations on minimum purchases, unlike restaurant.com certificates.

I really appreciate the input - this couple is sorta hipster, sorta into all kinds of 'nifty' off beat things, so I'm thinking Groupon might work for them. But I'm going to think about it.

KC

 

[smitch425]

Hmm. Lots to think about. Just for the record, the reason my DH and I thought of this is because we use Groupon a LOT. In the past year, we've gotten a $50 Groupon for the Aveda Institute for $20, a $20 Groupon for Barnes & Noble for $10, and a Groupon worth $30 for a hardcover photo book for $10. None of these required me to spend more than the value of the Groupon. I've also purchased several Groupons for restaurants (always at least 50% off) and there are no stipulations on minimum purchases, unlike restaurant.com certificates.

I really appreciate the input - this couple is sorta hipster, sorta into all kinds of 'nifty' off beat things, so I'm thinking Groupon might work for them. But I'm going to think about it.

KC

Since you are close with the parents, just ask them if they think they would like it. Chances are if they have ever used Groupon their parent would have heard about it.

 

[pixiewings71]

I love your idea! I use groupon ALOT!!! I have bought many deals from them, for hotels for vacation stays in Orlando many times - Nick hotel, Coco Key resort, Doubletree at Sea World, Wyndham in DTD - and then for great deals on 3 different tours when we visited Las Vegas, and despite what naysayers think - their customer service is fab! Even my mom likes using groupon and just recently she found a deal for a local waterpark where she could get tickets for 1/2 admission cost which saved her a bundle with 5 grands. I notice they frequently have restaurants posted on groupon so they can always use it for that. Kuddos on a gift that is different!

I was a naysayer for the gift in itself, I didn't say anything negative about Groupon and I agree, their CS is great!! I love Groupon, I use it a lot for myself but I hesitate to use it for a gift.

As evidenced by this thread, many, many people don't use groupon, so it would be a waste if the couple does not (or chooses not to) use the site.

I disagree, many, many people DO in fact use Groupon, we just feel it's not an appropriate gift to give. I do agree, it would be a waste if the couple wouldn't use it.

Hmm. Lots to think about. Just for the record, the reason my DH and I thought of this is because we use Groupon a LOT. In the past year, we've gotten a $50 Groupon for the Aveda Institute for $20, a $20 Groupon for Barnes & Noble for $10, and a Groupon worth $30 for a hardcover photo book for $10. None of these required me to spend more than the value of the Groupon. I've also purchased several Groupons for restaurants (always at least 50% off) and there are no stipulations on minimum purchases, unlike restaurant.com certificates.

I really appreciate the input - this couple is sorta hipster, sorta into all kinds of 'nifty' off beat things, so I'm thinking Groupon might work for them. But I'm going to think about it.

KC

I use it a lot too, but again, I use for ME not to give as a gift. I agree with the PP who suggested asking the parents of the couple, they would know, or they could find out, if the couple uses Groupon or not. Either way, there are lots of fun ways to give cash and I think if you do end up doing that you should put a note in with the money saying to use it on something fun and not something practical.

 

[MSLRAC]

I'm not a fan of Groupon so I would just do cash or a Visa gift card.

 

[mrsklamc]

I disagree, many, many people DO in fact use Groupon, we just feel it's not an appropriate gift to give. I do agree, it would be a waste if the couple wouldn't use it.

It's not an either/or statement. Both things are true. Many, many people use groupon, many, many people do not.


A reason I'd steer clear of it is it might not be financially stable, and if they go bankrupt the $100 is gone.

http://www.timwiseman.com/blogarticles/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brendancoffey/2011/06/02/think-groupon-makes-money-think-again/

I like groupon a lot, but I go long periods of time without buying anything, so OP, I recommend giving the cash.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Give them the cash. If you want them to use it to enjoy their new city, you can enclose a note that indicates that you weren't sure what their new city offers for entertainment, but you figured cash would be accepted wherever they choose to go. You could tell them in conversation that there is a local Groupon. If they want to use it, they can, but then they aren't being required to.

 

[shoney]

I love, love, love Groupon, Living Social or any web site that saves me money!!!!
(next time my MIL asks what gift card to get...I'm keeping this in mind!)

As for a wedding gift....

If you live in an area where cash/check gifts are the norm, I would just stick with that. We don't "do gifts" for weddings where I live.

If you live in an area where people buy actual gifts, I think it is an excellent idea. The way you describe the couple, I think they would really enjoy it! It is very thoughtful and very useful for them.