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Do some guests really give crummy gifts?

posted 3 years ago in Food
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    Helper bee
    AmberEyes    October 9, 2010   Toronto

    My friend who just got married told me that she received a set of wooden spatulas from the dollar store as a wedding gift. Needless to say, it wasn't selected out of her registry. I couldn't believe this. Do people really give crummy gifts to a couple for their wedding? What are some of the worst gifts that you guys have received and how did you handle it?

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    amandopolis      

    Some people feel obligated to bring a gift but can't afford items off the couples registry.  So while I usually try to spend $50-$100 on a wedding gift, some people have a budget of more like $10.  I think they usually mean well.  I've received some lovely off-registry gifts and some really crummy ones, but you just have to roll with the punches.  Write a sweet thank you note and either return the gift or stash it in your re-gift pile.

     
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    FutureMrsMorgan    May 9, 2009   Los Angeles, CA

    yup.  people get crummy gifts.  expect to get stuff not on your registry, from the dollar store, and things obviously regifted...youre supposed to say 'its not about the gifts' and write la ovely thank you note for the cookie jar shaped like a flamingo for your abstract modern kitchen...

     
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    jennifer0031       California

    Yes.  People re-gift also.  A couple who had gotten married a couple months before us gave us the set of glasses they received.  The groom was my husband's roommate and I actually saw the glasses in the closet with the rest of their gifts! 

     
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    emileee       San Jose, CA

    For all the gifts we couldn't use (not practical, not our style, obvious regift, not enough space to store it, etc.), we donated them.  Hopefully someone else will get some good use out of them! 

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    Lani    August 9, 2009  

    I got the STRANGEST gift from my aunt.  Here's what was in the box:

    • Two teddy bears from the dollar store
    • Christmas ribbons and wrapping paper
    • A wicker deer-shaped christmas decoration
    • a pin cushion with feet - the top of the pin cushion looked like mistletoe and it was called "Mistel Toes"  (the right toe was completely broken off the foot)

    I suppose it's the thought that counts...buuuuuut....so strange.  Oh yeah, my wedding was in August so I'm not too sure where the Christmas theme came from.  I wrote her a nice thank you card thanking her for the thoughtful present and said that it would be very useful for our first Christmas together. :)

    That was the only weird present.  Everything else was very useful - like cash, gift cards, a beautiful hand-made quilt, a painting made by my MOH, and a few items from our registry. 

     
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    kphill23    6/19/10   Minneapolis

    I would think that everyone means well... I would be happy and thankful for the "un-crummy" gifts that you receive, and respond equally gratefully and gracefully for every gift given to you. Even if it isn't up to your standards...and donate what you don't want/need. 

     
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    Busy bee
    Stacy Marie    July 24, 2010  

    I love the donating idea!

     
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    Bumble bee
    FlipFlopBride       Virginia

    This is totally embarassing, but...when my cousin got married last year (dad's side), my mother sent a gift for my brother to give. I was horrified when I found out that they were heinous ceramic lamps with brown ducks painted on them. I think she had found them on clearance somewhere and just picked them up waiting on an event like this. EWWW. I wish I had a picture.

    My cousins of course were gracious...but I was incredibly thankful that they didn't feel obligated to use them when I went to their home.

     
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    Bumble bee
    JennyBryde    September 18, 2010   Moline, IL

    My grandmother gave my mom and dad matching planters in the shape of outhouses with their names written on each one.  Yeah.  

     
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    Bumble bee
    Miss Pinot Grigio    March 21, 2009   Indianapolis, IN

    We received a "crystal" (I doubt that it's real) desk clock and an engagement-ring-shaped picture frame...both were clearly Dollar Store purchases! Not sure what we'll do with either one.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    pvaulter718    September 5, 2009   Pennsylvania

    My fiance's aunt gave me a Monogramed set of notepads and notcards at our engagement party.  It was very sweet, but how am I supposed to use more than 200 notecards with my maiden name on them inside of 9 months?!?! Guess I'm writing a ton of notes!

     
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    Bumble bee
    JennyBryde    September 18, 2010   Moline, IL

    @Miss Pinot Grigio - Is the sender of those gifts married?  If not, you could keep those presents in a super safe place for when they are, and then you could regift them with the message that they had put so much thought into finding the perfect gift for a newly wed couple that you wanted to make sure they had the same items to cherish.  :)

     
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    Buzzing bee
    flamingred    June 19, 2010  

    I went to a shower and the bride was registered at Tiffanys. the only thing my sister and I combined could afford were two shrimp forks out of the three shrimp fork set. LMAO!!! I didn't feel bad though. This chick is a gazillionare and had like a 2 million dollar wedding.

     
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    Blushing bee
    Lish    October 10th, 2009   Memphis, TN

    Yeah, they do.  I've gotten a few I'd LOVE to return, but haven't a clue where they came from. 
    I'm actually pretty sure they're regifts.
    And what is more surprising to me is that people that barely know me put lots of time and effort into the shopping/wrapping/card buying portion - and people that know me and know how much the card part is important to me bought me something from the dollar store and left out the card completely.

    Which is just WEIRD.
    (I'm a card keeper - have every one ever given to me - yeah... I know.  it's sad.)

    But yeah, definitely some interesting choices...

     
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    Bumble bee
    Querida       Sugar Land, TX

    I think there is an art to giving low-budget, high class gifts.  If I don't have the cash for  a $50.00 item off of a registry, my standby gift is a "honeymoon basket".  I stock an inexpensive gift basket with mini wine or beer bottles, heart shaped crackers and cookies, other cute snacks, cheese or nuts, and always something sweet.  I've included a nice bottle of massage oil or lotion too.  I usually find out who is handling the gifts to see that it makes it to the hotel for the couple that night. 

    I think some people get really worried (panic!) about gifts and end up just grabbing something.  I always just wonder what the rationalization is behind an awkward gift...

     
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    Worker bee
    KitKat555    May 21, 2011   Ohio

    JennyBryde:  That is Priceless!! HaHa! Who wouldn't love that...

     

    Querida: Love that Honeymoon Basket Idea!

     

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