Better to Give than Receive?
Given the title of this post I’m sure all you chicas have your minds in the gutter, but what I have really been thinking about lately is bodas! No, I’m nowhere near that step in my life yet but wedding season is coming to a close and I can’t help but wonder what an appropriate gift for a wedding is. And whether or not I have missed the mark or nailed it with my amigas so far.
I’ve attended two bodas this summer, one in which I was a bridesmaid. It doesn’t look as though these responsibilities will end any time soon either, I already have bridesmaid duties for June 2009!
Most of the couples that I know are not interested in getting gifts, especially unregistered items as wedding presents. They all want the money, money, money.
So if its hard cold dinero that they want, this is the formula I have been sticking to:
$100 – for an acquaintance
$150 – for a good friend
$200–for a best friend
Couples always tell me it costs loads for a guest to attend a wedding, so at least $100 a head is reasonable, right? Do you give more or less than I do?
Also, after a friend of mine gets married I love asking them what the worst gift they received was. This always has some hysterical answers. I’ve had friends tell me that they received used plates, cheap candles, discount bed sheets and other terrible regalos.
“Someone gave me a chipped picture frame. When I tried to return it to Macy’s they told me the frame was discontinued in 2004 and not even worth $10,” sighed Jackie, my friend and a recent bride.
Do you have awful wedding gift stories too? Digame! Don’t forget to tell me if you agree (or disagree) with my money chart too!
Un Abrazo Fuerte,
Lex
Lex- I like your money chart..I have only been to one wedding this year and it was for my friend…I gave her $100. Thats all I could afford with my budget at the time. So your chart is resonable. I am not married yet but I think I would ask for either money or household items…depending on what we need at the time.
Ciao’
I think you should give what you can afford, a lot of people give for example $150 cuz everybody gives that amount, here in Holland (with my peoples, we useally give about 50-100 euros), I think the couples should appreciate everything they receive, not everyone has a big budget
“Couples always tell me it costs loads for a guest to attend a wedding ”
They are the one that want to spend (too) much money on their wedding..
saludoss
ps
love your blog, I just discovered it last week, I read everything in one day
saludos,
desde Amsterdam, Holland (yepyep thehookup wordwide!)
I agree w/ your chart for a good friend and best friend completely for an aquintance I may not attend the wedding, it all depends. But I do feel if you choose to attend the wedding at the least $50, not including the bridal shower or bachelorette party. It does become exspensive for the guest too. I usually wind up having to travel to the wedding being out of state from my family, luckily I just stay at my dad’s house or then it would cost even more.
Wow people in Holland read my blog? SO COOL!!! =D