What is an “acceptable” cash gift for attending a wedding? - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

powderjunkie · 07-09-2018, 10:19 AM

Whatever they gave you + $1.00. Just to show them up.

Chingyul · 07-09-2018, 10:21 AM

$100 for me is the base. More if it's a close friend.

afc wimbledon · 07-09-2018, 10:35 AM

I expect a bloody refund if they split up though

GordonBlue · 07-09-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Jesus, some of you guys are cheapos! Even in my university days, we never gave less than $50 per person. We are at a stage now when we go to our friends's kids' weddings. Giving less than $200 as a couple to attend a white wedding is a faux pax. We give $300 minimum, usually. The rationale is $100/pp to help cover the costs plus $100 as a true gift. Weddings are very expensive, even modest ones without too much fanfare. We are not there to get a free dinner, but to share the joy with our friends and to help them and their kids with the wedding costs. Most of the parents let the kids have the wedding cash and save for a downpayment.

Of course, it does depend on the venue and one's personal finances; nobody expects you to get a loan for a wedding present. Also, if the wedding party is a chips & beer party at the community centre, we would bring less. The point is, a wedding cash present amount should be meaningful, thoughtful, relative to the venue and your level of connection to the newlyweds.

my going to the wedding to share in the event is where meaningful and thoughtful comes in. I take the time and expense to go to the wedding without complaint to share in the experience and joy of their coming together.
no matter if the venue is a farmers field or a nice church, I don't adjust what I give like you do. the amount in the card isn't dependent of what they spend for their wedding, but what I care to and can afford to give.

If for my wife and I, if that's only $50 or $100, then that's what it is. and I refuse to feel bad about it. If I know the bride and groom. they know my circumstances and wouldn't judge because I didn't give more than the cost per person.

I have a couple of very good friends that recently got married, and not once did they comment or care what their gifts were or how much loot they got. they were happy that everyone they wanted to share the day with were able to do so. any gifts received they considered a thoughtful bonus.

what sucks to me is at the reception when someone passes a hat or boot to collect even more money. (often times trying to shame you into it) sorry, I gave what I could in the card. I can't afford to throw another $20 or $50 in the boot for a top up.

The Yen Man · 07-09-2018, 10:42 AM

I do $100 per person, unless it's a family member. If it was my brother, I'd probably do $1,000 total. If a cousin, about $300.

Amethyst · 07-09-2018, 10:44 AM

I haven't been at a wedding where they passed the hat in years. When I was a kid and we went to weddings, most people gave actual gifts and then the hat was passed and you tossed in some cash. Now it seems like most people give cash in the cards.

Knut · 07-09-2018, 10:47 AM

$500 if family
$200 if not

At our wedding we appreciated a couple of friends that did not have much at their disposal give $20 or $40. There were some well-off friends that gave nothing or only $20.

I think you give what you are comfortable with/can afford.

Weitz · 07-09-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I haven't been at a wedding where they passed the hat in years. When I was a kid and we went to weddings, most people gave actual gifts and then the hat was passed and you tossed in some cash. Now it seems like most people give cash in the cards.

Yah and to be honest its because of the ease. Don't have to buy and wrap money.

We did a registry at the bay and people could order online and have the gift shipped to us instead of bringing to the wedding. A lot of people did that because of how easy it was, then just gave a nice card. Actually got a lot of comments about that and how easy it was.

Fuzz · 07-09-2018, 10:48 AM

I always make a donation to in the couples name to "The Human Fund."

/come on CP, 3 pages and I'm the first? You all are slacking.

Amethyst · 07-09-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weitz

Yah and to be honest its because of the ease. Don't have to buy and wrap money.

We did a registry at the bay and people could order online and have the gift shipped to us instead of bringing to the wedding. A lot of people did that because of how easy it was, then just gave a nice card. Actually got a lot of comments about that and how easy it was.

I figured it was because people got married at an older age now and didn't need as much stuff for starting out.

Madman · 07-09-2018, 11:04 AM

$45

How much should we give? 40 dollars?
That's not enough.
50 dollars?
What are we made of money all of a sudden?

Cecil Terwilliger · 07-09-2018, 11:08 AM

One time a friend of mine actually did a full on registry. First time that had happened, as cash seems to be the norm nowadays. That was fun. I bought her a ballin' waffle maker for like $200.

Jason14h · 07-09-2018, 11:13 AM

If open bar (toonie bar if at a place charging them per drink) I usually give $100-$150 a person depending.

If they expect me to pay for my drinks they are lucky if I don't spit in the envelope

GirlySports · 07-09-2018, 11:14 AM

where were you guys at my wedding, I got things like blenders and clock radios. Not even $50 gift card from a couple.

malcolmk14 · 07-09-2018, 11:34 AM

We give $300 or $400.

Buff · 07-09-2018, 11:40 AM

We did a registry when we got married 16 years ago. I remember intentionally not picking very high priced items. Most of the things were under $50 but we did put a few things as much as $100 on the list. If people wanted to give us more than one thing that was up to them.

Why do we have to always count the value of the gift that we give or receive? Just be happy that you're appreciated when giving a gift and don't worry about outdoing somebody else when giving.

The Yen Man · 07-09-2018, 11:42 AM

I've always given cash at weddings. I figure it's easier for both parties. I don't have to stress out finding any gifts, and the couple gets to spend the cash however they want. But then, I'm Chinese, so giving cash has always been the way we've done it. I guess I could also give gold. Think that's acceptable as well lol.

Minnie · 07-09-2018, 11:54 AM

A billion years ago, the thing to do was take whatever the price per plate/head was, and at least double it, as a rule of thumb in terms of monetary gifts. Don't know if that's a thing now.

I just did a little research online and Canadians, on average, gift $147 to the bride and groom in terms of monetary giving. Compare that to our American counterparts who gift, on average, $127. That's the average. According to a couple of articles I read, that amount is going up, amongst Canadians, to $200.

Mr.Coffee · 07-09-2018, 11:56 AM

Well then. Looks like I’ve been way cheaper than I thought I was over the last few years then.....

GomerPile · 07-09-2018, 11:56 AM

It was interesting at our wedding (6 years ago). We had two options for people, a Cash Gift or Online Donation to the Alberta Children's Hospital as some of the old timers didn't like the idea of giving cash.

People were much more generous with the ACH, and we received a very nice handwritten letter from the ACH. I would say the avg cash gift to us was $75-$100pp and if people donated it was $150-$200pp.

My standards are the following:
Close friends and family - $200-$300
Other - $100
If I have to travel to some place out of the norm - My presence is my gift.