How do you decide how much $ to spend on a wedding gift for someone else?

lalaith50

just for fun

hlq2011

I chose the first one, but it'd probably be influenced by the second as well.

GeauxTigers17

I chose number 1 as well. I definitely don't spend the same for every wedding - I treat it like any other gift. 

achiduck

it's different each time for me. My first consideration is my budget and how much I can afford to give, followed by how well I know them (distant cousin vs. best friend of 10 years) and if I'm giving other gifts at pre-wedding celebrations.

noodle_oo

You didn't include your personal finances as an option.  I choose based on a combination of all of your options.  First is probably how close they are (family, best friends probably spend a bit more than casual friends or corworkers).  Second is other expenses (like travel or a shower gift).  Then that is all tempered by how much we can afford (like if we're doing well we might spend a little more). But in the end, we usually spend somewhere between $50 to $150.  I think their relationship to us is the biggest factor ($50 for coworker, $150 for best friend/family).

ajroark

I chose the 3rd one just because of course it matters how close of a friend/family member they are, but also knowing I have to spend money on a shower gift definitely limits what I could've spent on a wedding gift!

LauraT25

I chose the first, because that is the biggest factor (along with what I can afford, which wasn't an option).  The other factors usually play into my decision, as well, though the weight they have is also influenced by my relationship with them and what I can afford.  For example, for an acquaintance I'm more likely to factor in travel costs and shower gifts or what they spent on my wedding, than I would for a close friend.

kellya01

I chose number 2, but really it's the first one AND the second one.  I had a DEAR friend that I had planned to attend her wedding, some things came up last minute, and I couldn't make the trip. I had budgeted $ for the gas, and finding a hotel nearby (or staying with relatives), AND her present, so I ended up just getting her a nicer more expensive present and shipped it to her when I couldn't come.  I got her an all-clad wok (it was near $200).  Most weddings of close friends, I'll spend maybe $100 to $150 at the most, and I try to get their china set if they have one, secondly some of their cookware or dining serving pieces.  

Oh, and ecuchika if you see this, I have your second present picked out and I'm going to get it this weekend!  Going to either bring it to you for a girls night out or ship it to you, depending on the in-stock status ... :-)   Can't wait for your wedding, girlie!! 

DanielleM01

I chose #1....but something else that factors in is whether or not they come off as being greedy.  My fiance and I have friends that got married last year and they enclosed registry cards in their invitations and she talked to me A LOT about her registry and all the stuff they were expecting to get (it was more than just being excited about it....she told me how much she expected people were probably going to spend, and I knew she was having a gift opening thing the day after (she opened all the cards and counted all the money in front of people too, btw).  They got a smaller present from my fiance and I because the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way, and they (well really, the girl) came off as really greedy.

aimers1525

I chose Other because I base it on what kind of relationship we have/how good of friends we are and if I've spent money on bachelorette/shower gifts. So, for my MOH--I threw her shower/bachelorette but we also gave her a generous wedding gift. For a couple we are friends w/but weren't invited to her shower/bachlorette and we weren't able to attend their wedding we took them out to dinner after the wedding and gave them a $50 gift card. 

On average, I'll spend $30-$50 on a shower gift and $100-150 for a wedding gift no matter what.

Em72653

I always try to ateast cover my plate. That is how I start off. Then I factor in how well I know the couple or if I am in the wedding.

Some weddings I've been in, regardless of the money spent towards the B Shower and Bach party, I always do my best to give the couple a generous gift. After all, it takes alot to plan a wedding and all the costs really add up. I am especially generous if the couple paid for most of it.

Now, I was in a wedding recently where I paid about close to 500 bucks from the moment I was asked til the couple said their "I Do's" and my gift from the bride was a $20 bracelet. So I definitely was not at all generous in their wedding gift. It might sound petty but I felt it was unfair. AND she was trying to get the most out of people's money by saying it cost them $150 per person when it was only $99 (it was a Friday night during off-season).

Every situation is different unfortuntaely.....

agall1006

shower gift $50 - I always give cash for a wedding, for a not so close family member/friend $100, a close family member friend, $150 ...

KJ7985

Obviously if someone is a very close friend, I'm going to spend a bit more on their gift. With that said, I also tend to take the venue into account. I figure out about how much it is per head and use that as a base amount, then I add more onto that figure based on how close we are to the couple. 

I tend to spend between $30-$60 on a shower gift and $100-$150 on a wedding gift. 

Dayna3773

Just depends on how tight the belt is at the time.  If I have a coupon or can get something at Kohls with my credit card member coupons, then I'm likely to get a bigger registry item since I'm getting a great discount.  I also look for little personalized gifts that are cheaper, but make up for it in thoughtfulness.

trix1223

I really hate the "cover your plate" thing.  My gift should somehow be influenced by how expensive a wedding a bride and groom chose to have?

I think it's silly that someone who has a less expensive wedding should be given less than someone who has the country club shebang.  But a lot of people subscribe to the "cover you plate" mindset.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Whatever I can afford at the moment.