engagement party gift?

desertsun

A work friend of mine recently got engaged, and verbally invited me today to an "engagement party" at his house tomorrow night.

If it's a last minute, verbal invitation, is one supposed to bring a gift?

And if so, what are good "engagement" gifts? How is this different from a wedding gift?

TIA!

PaigeMcC

Now I could be wrong on this...it happens quite often....but I would think that maybe if you felt like you should bring something you could just brought a nice card and a bottle of wine, or some such thing.

I dunno tho...ladies?

Ana_2985

Is he throwing the party himself?  That's not typical, but if he is, why did you only get a last minute invite?  Personally, I wouldn't even go unless I was going to know most people there.  And I definitely wouldn't bring a gift.  I'd feel like that's the only reason I was invited. That's probably just me though.

I agree with Paige.  Just bring a card and if you feel the need to have something else, add a bottle of wine.

desertsun

Yes, they're having it themselves at their house.

It hasn't been planned a month in advance. Pretty sure they just decided to celebrate the engagement, so started inviting people over -- no one got paper invitations or invited more than a week in advance.

So, it seems pretty casual, but he did say "engagement party." Which makes me feel I should bring something.

A congrats card and an alcohol or food type item is good, then?

ashleyjo09

What if you are a bride's maid and going to an engagement party thrown by a 3rd party individual (aka not family related)??

Ana_2985

Desert- Card plus food or alcohol is all I would bring.

Ashley-  In my area it more common to give gifts at engagement parties and showers, and then cards and cash at weddings.  However, I think most people agree that you don't NEED to bring a gift to an engagement party.  Of course, if I were a bridemaid or a close friend I would probably give a gift.

Examples of things people gave my sister: Hand-painted holiday wine glasses (near Christmas), picture frames, wedding journal/planner....small things.

ashleyjo09

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_engagement-party-gift?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:48fd8a8e-a944-47b5-b95a-cd76ca46a8f4Post:1016071d-01c8-45e8-bf42-f819818cdd5c">Re: engagement party gift?</a>:
[QUOTE]Desert- Card plus food or alcohol is all I would bring. Ashley-  In my area it more common to give gifts at engagement parties and showers, and then cards and cash at weddings.  However, I think most people agree that you don't NEED to bring a gift to an engagement party.  Of course, if I were a bridemaid or a close friend I would probably give a gift. Examples of things people gave my sister: Hand-painted holiday wine glasses (near Christmas), picture frames, wedding journal/planner....small things.
Posted by Ana_2985[/QUOTE]

Thank you!

desertsun

Thanks, Ana!

babybchbum

Ditto to Ana's First post

@ Desert: If you are a BM, I would create a small basket of things you know the Bride will NEED during the planning process. For example, Chomomile Tea to help her relax when dealing with CRAZY vendors, and peppermint sticks for when the stress of paying for things sets in.

I'm sure you can google engament party baskets and get some ideas with a cute saying.

HTH