I'm in a weird situation. I am not sure what to get my friend who's wedding I was just in. I would like get them something around $100 - $150, but am stuck. She was in my wedding this year as well and gave me cash. I would really like to avoid giving the same gift back... plus if you do it for little more than what she gave me it come accross insluting, but if you give the same amount back it seems like you didn't put any thought into it.
If you know where they may like to shop, how about a gift card in your range? As the weddings are in the same year, a little more wouldn't be insulting, but it may look like you want to one-up her gift. If you want to deviate from cash, go gift card unless you're 100% certain you know something the happy couple would like that meets your criteria. Alternately, you could get a gift in the price range with a place they may shop that has a good exchange policy, though that does involve the potential hassle of returning items. Is it more important to you to appear thoughtful or to make it easy for the couple?
What was most helpful to you when you were in the same position?
if you are getting them a gift, be sure to include a gift receipt! since they didn't register, it's tricky to know what they want or need. one of the best off-registry gifts we got was a digital photo frame from sony. we didn't register for one because we didn't like the selection on BBB.com and we didn't feel like setting up a registry at another store just for a digital frame.
on the other hand, we have a lot of friends that got us off-registry gifts that aren't really "us"...including figurines, a wine bottle chiller, random wall decorations, crystal platters, etc. really, they aren't "bad" gifts and i can see how someone would see these as great wedding gifts...it's just that it doesn't really suit our needs and lifestyle. and of course none of these came with gift receipts so they are now collecting dust in our tiny closet in our tiny apartment. oh well, what can you do? :P
for that reason, i think there is nothing wrong with cash or gift cards. don't let your gift become a burden! i have no idea what to do with all the lovely gifts in our closet. i'm not a re-gifter - i may end up having to donate these to goodwill. :T
I agree with Niki. Give them cash, but perhaps to make it more special, give a token gift.
Maybe a picture frame with a photo of them you took at the wedding, a bottle of wine or champagne they like, a photo album that she can put wedding pics in.
That way you are giving what they probably want most along with a little something that will show you put thought into it.
Niki is correct - they want cash. Possibly to buy a house or other large ticket item. There's nothing wrong with giving cash at a wedding (actually, thats what we're hoping for; we're saving for a house)!
This is great feedback! Thank you everyone. I agree cash is the way to go. I really like rosychicklet's idea about giving a bottle or wine or a photo with it too. That way it won't seem like I am just giving back the same gift.
They probably want cash......but I like to do a nice liquor basket for some special friends.....a range of high end liquors or maybe a range of something you know they like (like different flavors of vodka). We always get rave reviews when we give this as a gift. I also like to include things like cocktail onions, maraschino cherries, green olives, and fancy picks and glass charms.
I like to have a custom made Christmas ornament done with their names and their wedding date along with a check/red envelope with cash in it. :) It's an added touch.
Hi,
I'm in a weird situation. I am not sure what to get my friend who's wedding I was just in. I would like get them something around $100 - $150, but am stuck. She was in my wedding this year as well and gave me cash. I would really like to avoid giving the same gift back... plus if you do it for little more than what she gave me it come accross insluting, but if you give the same amount back it seems like you didn't put any thought into it.
Any ideas??? Please help!
p.s. They didn't register anywhere.
posted by monica Newbee: 12 posts 2 months agoIf you know where they may like to shop, how about a gift card in your range? As the weddings are in the same year, a little more wouldn't be insulting, but it may look like you want to one-up her gift. If you want to deviate from cash, go gift card unless you're 100% certain you know something the happy couple would like that meets your criteria. Alternately, you could get a gift in the price range with a place they may shop that has a good exchange policy, though that does involve the potential hassle of returning items. Is it more important to you to appear thoughtful or to make it easy for the couple?
What was most helpful to you when you were in the same position?
posted by missm Busy bee: 784 posts 2 months agoif you are getting them a gift, be sure to include a gift receipt! since they didn't register, it's tricky to know what they want or need. one of the best off-registry gifts we got was a digital photo frame from sony. we didn't register for one because we didn't like the selection on BBB.com and we didn't feel like setting up a registry at another store just for a digital frame.
on the other hand, we have a lot of friends that got us off-registry gifts that aren't really "us"...including figurines, a wine bottle chiller, random wall decorations, crystal platters, etc. really, they aren't "bad" gifts and i can see how someone would see these as great wedding gifts...it's just that it doesn't really suit our needs and lifestyle. and of course none of these came with gift receipts so they are now collecting dust in our tiny closet in our tiny apartment. oh well, what can you do? :P
for that reason, i think there is nothing wrong with cash or gift cards. don't let your gift become a burden! i have no idea what to do with all the lovely gifts in our closet. i'm not a re-gifter - i may end up having to donate these to goodwill. :T
posted by emileee Worker bee: 199 posts 2 months agoPeople who don't register want one thing: cash.
posted by Niki Helper bee: 446 posts 2 months agoI agree with Niki. Give them cash, but perhaps to make it more special, give a token gift.
Maybe a picture frame with a photo of them you took at the wedding, a bottle of wine or champagne they like, a photo album that she can put wedding pics in.
That way you are giving what they probably want most along with a little something that will show you put thought into it.
posted by rosychicklet Helper bee: 417 posts 2 months agoNiki is correct - they want cash. Possibly to buy a house or other large ticket item. There's nothing wrong with giving cash at a wedding (actually, thats what we're hoping for; we're saving for a house)!
posted by ktdid23 Worker bee: 157 posts 2 months agoI think Niki is right. How much is totally up to you as your situation could be different from your friend's.
I got married in August and was surprised about how much cash we got. My hubbie always gives his friends cash at their weddings and now I know why! :)
posted by jules Worker bee: 89 posts 2 months agoThis is great feedback! Thank you everyone. I agree cash is the way to go. I really like rosychicklet's idea about giving a bottle or wine or a photo with it too. That way it won't seem like I am just giving back the same gift.
Thanks Everyone!!
posted by monica Newbee: 12 posts 2 months agoThey probably want cash......but I like to do a nice liquor basket for some special friends.....a range of high end liquors or maybe a range of something you know they like (like different flavors of vodka). We always get rave reviews when we give this as a gift. I also like to include things like cocktail onions, maraschino cherries, green olives, and fancy picks and glass charms.
posted by gracielou Worker bee: 90 posts 2 months ago@ gracielou - that is such a good idea! i'm adopting it
i might also throw one of those bartender handbooks into the basket, i've given those for a lot of 21st birthdays, and they are super useful.
posted by worcesterbride Newbee: 16 posts 2 months agoI like to have a custom made Christmas ornament done with their names and their wedding date along with a check/red envelope with cash in it. :) It's an added touch.
posted by ladysu Worker bee: 103 posts 2 months ago