How much should I give for an Engagement Party Gift?

[burn_this_city]

Plenty of people seem to think getting married is some sort of lotto win. The sense of entitlement coming from some couples is pretty ridiculous.

[Eastern Girl]

I don't think engagement parties should be about gifts. Leave the gifts for the showers and the wedding. The party should be about celebrating the engagement with food and drinks.

Having said that, when I went to an engagement party a couple weeks back, I gave my friends a gift certificate and card. It was a gift but still something small, so if there weren't people giving gifts, I wasn't really showing anyone up. I felt it was the safe option.

I definitely agree with the above statement about some couples being really demanding with gifts and also having numerous parties and such to collect gifts. It's ridiculous. I am about ready to have a "I'm still single party" a la Carrie on Sex and the City.

[GGG]

If it is a catered event with free or subsidized booze your gift should be based on how much you cost. So if you and a date are going and their's free drinks you should probably give $100 bucks. If you aren't drinking or are buying your own drinks $50 is probably reasonable.

A wedding is never a lotto win. No matter how much you get in cash you will have spent more having it. So if you like the couple pay your share of the evening like you would any other night.

[AvsJerk]

I'm burnt out on engagement/bachelor(ette)/wedding parties and gifts. I think it would be more appropriate for all the gift giving to take place at the ten year anniversary party....then you wouldn't feel like your just blowin' your money...if the marriage lasts, yeah you get gifts. If not, tough shiat.

nm. I didn't realize that there also a thread about anniversary gifts...but really, enough with gifts and money...the rest of us got bills we gotta pay.