How Much To Give For A Wedding Gift
Modified date: Dec. 11, 2020
Once you hit a certain agesay, mid to late 20sits not uncommon, between June and October, to find yourself with invites to several different sets of nuptials. While theres nothing more joyful than a celebration of love and commitment between your dearest friends, those celebrations cost. Between your outfit, your travel, and your gift, these shindigs can put some serious strain on your budget.
Wedding gifts are not mandatoryespecially if you are asked to travel or participate in a destination ceremonybut they are customary and most people feel obliged to give a gift.
Reality and your finances, however, may mean that your own gifting policy must be customized to fit your relationships, budget, and creativity. This article will help you decide how much to give for a wedding gift .
Whats Ahead:
Murray’s Classic Cheese Of The Month Club
Courtesy of Murray’s
The most mouth-watering part of any wedding is definitely the cheese plate! While there might not be a full spread if the wedding is virtual, a mini one is just as enticing. This iconic NYC-based cheese shop sends a monthly sampler of three to four cheeses for a mini cheese spread that the couple can enjoy together.
The Best Wedding Gifts
Theres a very good reason why Le Creuset casserole dishes are on almost every newlyweds wedding gift wish listthey’re durable , practical and they look fabulous.
“This is one of the best casserole dishes I’ve tried,” says w& h life and homes editor Amy Hunt. “You can cook almost anything in itfrom pasta sauces, to soups, cakes and of course casseroles. Cooking in the pot is a delighttheres no sticking, it heats up perfectly , and stirring is as smooth as can be. Its also an easy transfer from hob surface top to oven.”
Theres no denying that this sits at the more expensive end of the scale when it comes to wedding present buying, however there are often Le Creuset sales around at popular retailers so it could be worth trying to track one down. Pick one in the couple’s favourite colour and you’re you’ve got one of the best wedding gifts for the majority of couples.
Give the happy couple a unique memento of their big day by having a bespoke illustration created from one of their favorite wedding photos. Obviously it’s a present that will have to wait until after their wedding but it’s one that’s so thoughtful and special they’ll appreciate it even more than if they’d received something different on the actual day.
This illustration can be printed onto paper, a canvas or sent digitally if you don’t want to delay delivery any longer.
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The Best Wedding Gifts On And Off The Registry
Readers share some of their favorites, from kitchen appliances to handmade bowls and beyond.
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Creating a wedding registry with items that are both useful and timeless can be daunting, especially for couples trying to combine their lives into one happy home. We asked our readers to share their go-to wedding gifts for newlyweds, along with the best wedding presents they have received. Here is a selection of products that range from kitchen essentials to homemade trinkets and even a few nontraditional gifts.
A Door Mat Pawfect For The Couple Who Loves Their Dogs More Than Their Friends And Really All Humans
My coworker has this on her desk, and we get a kick out reading it each day! I want to give it to everyone I know.
Promising review: “While some of the facts are unsettling, there are some that are hilarious! I like it so much that I’m tempted to peek ahead!” sbodie29
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
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Libbey Acacia Cake Dome With Lid
Fun fact: This pretty serveware is the most popular registry gift in two different states. But couples everywhere will get good use out of its multipurpose design. While the natural wood stand holds all kinds of baked goods, cakes and cupcakes look especially nice under the elegant glass dome. Basically, this gift will become a birthday party staple.
Oval Oak Salt And Pepper Set
This is definitely one of those gifts for couples who have everything. It is a set and pepper shaker set designed by Sagaform. There are oak stoppers put into place to help keep the salt and pepper from getting moist. The sleek design of these ensures that the set will go with any type of decor the couple has in their dining room and kitchen area.
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Respect The Wishes Of The Happy Couple
Pay attention to the invitation: Many modern couples, who marry later on when theyre more established, arent interested in accumulating more stuff. Theyre likely to include hints in the invite like Your presence is your present or the blunter No gifts, please. Feel free to take them at their word.
While more traditional guests are likely to ignore the couples wishes and saddle them with well-meant things out of a sense of duty, you should follow the couples preferences.
Can You Bring A Gift To A Wedding
“Even if you do give cash, you’re not bringing thator any gift for that matterto the wedding,” says Blum.
In fact, bringing your gifteven if it’s just a carddoes the couple and the expert team they’ve hired a disservice. It’s their planning team that ends up being in charge of safekeeping the gifts brought to the venue and safely delivering them to the client. That responsibility can interfere with the event taking place and the couple’s plans for the evening once they’re required to transport gifts home after the celebration.
Let’s be honest: There is nothing sexy or romantic about ending one of the best nights of your life by loading up the trunk of a car to lug odds and ends home. When gifting for a wedding, it should be sent in advance, ideally via the registry, at a time you know is convenient for the couple to receive it. “Nobody wants to carry a Cuisinart up a hill, or have one placed in the trunk of their getaway car,” insists Howser. “Under no circumstances are you to bring a gift to a wedding.”
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End Grain Butcher Block Cutting Boards
For easy slicing, dicing and chopping look for larger butcher block cutting boards that give you lots of space to work with. These thick, durable, heavy-duty cutting boards are made from end grain, so the ends of the cut wood fibers make up the cutting surface. This makes the butcher block board easier on your knives and more resistant to cuts, making it last a lifetime. These gorgeous, high-end cutting boards make ideal bridal shower, engagement and wedding gifts that any newlyweds will certainly appreciate.
The Etiquette Of How Much Money To Give As A Gift
Even though gift giving is more personalized, cash is the most appreciated present you can give.
Birthdays, graduations, weddings, christeningsit seems that every time we take a breather from one occasion, here comes another! Even though gift giving is more personalized, cash is the most appreciated present you can give. There are those of us, however, who dont have a clue as to how much moneyis appropriate to give when making a financial gift.
Here are a few rules of etiquette to follow when giving money as a gift:
For whom is cash not appropriate? Well, according to etiquetteexperts, it is certainly not a good move to give a significant other cash for any occasion . Giving your mate cash or even a gift card tells them that you took the easy route and were too lazy and inconsiderate to actually give their present some real thought.
How much should you give? When giving cash as a gift, there is always that question of how much. Well, the answer is a simple one, do not give more money than you can afford just because you think a certain amount is expected of you.
Here is a general guideline for how much money to give for a life event:
A weddingA distant relative or co-worker should give $75-$100 a friend or relative, $100-$125 a closer relative, up to $150. If you are livin large then give more if you want but dont feel pressured to do so.
A graduation Consider giving a cash gift in the range of $20-$100 depending on how close you are to the graduate.
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How Much To Give For A Wedding If Theres An Engagement Party Too
How much to give for a wedding is synonymous with your availability for the wedding. It is well-advised that you split your budget for the wedding gift into 25% / 75%. 25% on engagement gifts and the remaining 75% on gifts for the main wedding. Something like wine, a box of chocolates or a box of cupcakes will do.
If you will not be available for the main wedding and the couple means a lot to you, follow Diane Gottsmans principle. Browse through their engagement gift ideas and pick something thats equivalent to the amount you would spend on a wedding gift.
His And Hers Custom Robes
Theres nothing like a cozy robe on a chilly morning or after a hot bath. The bride and groom will love these matching waffle-knit robes! Embroidered with Mr. and Mrs. along with their last name, these robes are super cute and unique wedding gifts. Theyll never accidentally put each others robe on and always have something warm to layer up with when the house gets a little chilly.
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Plant Subscription Box 115 For 3 Months Bloombox Club
What better way to decorate a home than have a surprise plant delivered each month? Choose from gift subscriptions of three, six and 12 months from Bloombox Club. Each statement green plant comes in a beautiful ceramic pot and care instruction so all the couple have to do is decide on a spot to display them. Not only do they brighten up a home, but most absorb nasties in the air, making their home healthier too!
Rob Eglert Custom Etched Growler
Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Celebrate the couples love of craft beer with a custom growler, complete with the couples last name and their wedding date. Because this one is made from stoneware, it will keep beer colder longer than other versions. For an extra touch, include a gift card to a favorite brewery.
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Irobot Roomba E5 Wifi
Couples can’t get enough of this iRobot vacuum. Seriouslyit’s one of the top wedding gifts. That’s because its smart sensors fully automate cleaning. The gadget glides over carpet, tile and hardwood floors with ease, sucking up dirt, dust and the vacuum’s specialty: pet hair and dander. With the help of an app, it even suggests extra cleans during pollen or shedding season. Whether the newlyweds have allergies or a very furry feline, this classic wedding gift may just change their life. Welcome to the future, friends.
Cuisinart Coffe Plus 12 Cup Coffee Maker
This is an awesome gift idea for couples who can’t start the day without their cup of coffee. This is not only good for unisex gift ideas, it is one of the more useful gifts you could get them. This coffee maker also makes tea and cocoa. They can even make instant soup with it. There is a 24-hour programmability for this gift as well.
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Irobot Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
This is an awesome gift for any couple. This vacuum cleaner will go through the entire house, or any room they would like for it to clean with no assistance. This is a really great gift idea for couples who have pets or children and need to some help keeping their carpets and hardwood floors clean. This product has a 3 stage cleaning system and can identify areas that are dirtier than others so it will focus on what needs the most cleaning.
Is It Ok To Give Cash As A Wedding Gift
Theres nothing wrong with gifting cash. According to the aforementioned American Express study, one third of respondents prefer to give cash as a wedding gift. In fact, as most millennials are getting married later in life and already have well-stocked homes, they prefer cash to put toward savings over registry items.
If you are giving cash , send it ahead of time rather than bringing it to the weddingits too easy for things to get misplaced in the chaos of the day. Some couples may even register for cash to go directly into their bank accounts through sites like Tendr, which allows guests to give money virtually, along with a sentimental note they can personally write on a digital card.
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How Much To Give For A Wedding Depends On Your Relationship To The Betrothed
The amount of your gift should be about a) your budget and b) your relationship to the person getting married. Your bestie obviously merits more moolah than your third cousin, who probably deserves a bit more than the coworker you exchange pleasantries with over coffee.
That said, most etiquette experts suggest a minimum of $50 for a wedding gift.
If your slate of wedding includes people with whom you are various degrees of close, then let that guide your budgeting: Your sister gets the most, the college friend youve lost touch with gets a little less, and the frenemy from high school gets the least.
Is It Ok To Buy Gifts That Arent On The Wedding Registry
Gifting items that arent included on the registry isnt a violation of wedding gift etiquette. If, however, you choose an off-registry item, make sure its something you know the couple will absolutely love. “A couple has taken the time to select items that they need, so it makes perfect sense the majority of the time to simply fall in line with their wishes. With that being said, if you are close to the couple and are 100 percent sure that your off-registry item fits the bill, then by all means, do it,” says Carlson.
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