Gift?

MD401

Recently my parents received a wedding invitation for the daughter of some of their closest friends. The daughter is someone I grew up with but I was never close to. The invitation was addressed to my mom and dad "and family,"  which I suppose is vaguely inviting my sister and I- despite the fact that we are grown adults who haven't lived at my parent's house in many years.
Due to a work conflict, I am unable to attend this out-of-town wedding, so my question is, do I still need to send a gift? I know typically if you receive an invitation, it's polite to send a gift whether you attend or not, BUT since the bride did not send me my own, and simply "tacked" my name on to my parent's invite, is it impolite to skip out?
Part of the reason I ask is b/c money is so tight right now that it would be hard to budget that in, but I don't want to be seen as rude either.

squirrly

Nope.  There's no requirement.  But, it would be both cheap and sweet to send a congratulations card. 

xyrius

I agree with Squirrly.

redheadfsu

Yup, a card is nice. Personally, I might get the cheapest thing off their registry (like $5-$15).

marissa_claire

You don't "need" to but if you want to wish them well, the thought would be nice.

sarah0725

Yeah, since she didn't even write your name on the invitation, I don't think you're under any obligation to send a gift. Maybe your parents should just send them a check and sign the card "and Family".

LuluP82

I wouldn't. When I'm invited "and family" on my parents invites, my parents send a gift from "the family."

lalap69

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_gift-7?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9facc5d4-8cf1-434f-a49e-707ee83168ebPost:10c9d7a2-793b-42b2-bcae-eeaec0628813">Re: Gift?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't. When I'm invited "and family" on my parents invites, my parents send a gift from "the family."
Posted by LuluP82[/QUOTE]
That's exactly what I would do.

JCM10

I'd just ask my parents to put my name on the gift they get, and possibly contribute slightly to it.