Gifts for a "give-us-money" couple?

Re: Gifts for a "give-us-money" couple?

• lovesclimbing member

  

  April 2014

  mrshutzler said:
  

  grumbledore said:

  NikkiJay3333 said:

  @grumbledore because the box isn't working...

  
  

  If people don't want to give cash, that is fine.  No one has to give cash if they don't want to.  Maybe they just like giving physical items better.  Fine.  Maybe they don't want the couple to have their account and routing number that is on a check.  Fine.  They broke etiquette by requesting cash, so now you don't want to give them cash.  Also fine.

  
  

  I also think "I don't have a lot" is a great reason not to give a gift at all.  Or to give only a card with a nice note.  Gifts aren't required.

  
  

  But I think the specific reason of "I can't give that much" is not a good one, especially if you are buying a physical gift and double especially if you are including a gift receipt.  If the couple exchanges/returns the physical gift, they still know exactly how much was spent.  Five minutes on google would tell them  how much the gift was worth too.  How does giving, for example, $25 worth of stuff look any different than a $25 check?  You are still gifting the same amount and the couple could easily know that was the amount gifted.

  
  

  Basically, the idea that giving a physical gift hides the amount spent more than writing a check for the same amount is incorrect. I think since the couple can know how much you spent even if you give a physical gift, the idea that it's not enough to give as a check is silly.  If a couple can use cash more than stuff, then $25 in cash will always be appreciated.  Couples should be happy with whatever amount they receive.  There is no gift too small.  And frankly, if people would judge a person for not giving "enough" cash, they would also judge the person for not spending "enough" on the physical gift.

  
  

  My point is that the amount of the cash gift should not matter, to either the giver or the receiver.  It's the thought that counts, and giving cash to people who would rather have cash than more stuff is always thoughtful.

  This is totally incorrect.  For example, I get emails from Bed Bath and Beyond - so I can usually go in and pick up an item for 20% below retail.  Or I can go to Macy's and buy something when it's on sale, with a great coupon, and sometimes maybe pay half what I would have if I wasn't smart about it.

  
  

  Or I can find the same item at a TJ Maxx or Home Goods or Marshall's if I'm lucky.

  
  

  Pretty much everyone can "use cash" more than stuff.  But if you ASK me for cash, there is no way in hell I am going to give it to you, because you are being incredibly gauche and rude.

  THIS^^^ I am amazing at finding deals, and I can make $50 go waaaaaay farther than most people would think. Between Amazon and my Sally's Beauty supply couponing and membership card, I give my girlfriends impressive b-day gifts without breaking my wallet. I bought all their seeds and bulbs from Burgess, which has amazing deals on the regular if you aren't looking for something specific and don't mind mixed colors of ranunculus bulbs as opposed to a single color... that sort of thing. I will be 100% surprised if they aren't thrilled. It's not like I bought them a blender, LOL
  

  Ditto. I bought my sister's Christmas present last year for 60 percent of the regular price because I had a 40 percent off coupon.
  

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• littlemushroom member

  

  April 2014

  Maybe it's just me, but I never think anyone spent full price on any gifts I get.  There are so many great ways to get a good deal on virtually everything.  But then again, how much people spend on me has never equated in my head to people being cheap or extravagant. I honestly hope that people got a good deal on whatever they bought for me.  I also still think it is really easy to find out what the recent deals were for items as well, so I still don't buy into the idea that people can't figure out what you spent. (especially with gift receipts)

  
  

  I find it extremely sad that people find it necessary to consider whether others will think they are "cheap" based on how much cash they give.  I have never given a gift with that thought in mind.  I give what I can and what I think the receiver will enjoy.  Also, if someone did think it was "cheap" that I gave what they consider to be too little, that is their problem, not mine.  I suppose I just don't care what other people think of me when I know I am not doing anything wrong by giving what I can afford.

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• grumbledore member

  

  April 2014

  NikkiJay3333 said:

  Maybe it's just me, but I never think anyone spent full price on any gifts I get.  There are so many great ways to get a good deal on virtually everything.  But then again, how much people spend on me has never equated in my head to people being cheap or extravagant. I honestly hope that people got a good deal on whatever they bought for me.  I also still think it is really easy to find out what the recent deals were for items as well, so I still don't buy into the idea that people can't figure out what you spent. (especially with gift receipts)

  
  

  I find it extremely sad that people find it necessary to consider whether others will think they are "cheap" based on how much cash they give.  I have never given a gift with that thought in mind.  I give what I can and what I think the receiver will enjoy.  Also, if someone did think it was "cheap" that I gave what they consider to be too little, that is their problem, not mine.  I suppose I just don't care what other people think of me when I know I am not doing anything wrong by giving what I can afford.

  Agreed, it is sad, but unfortunately people are judgy like that.  However, in the context of this thread, the reason I wouldn't give cash is 100% because they asked outright for it.  Not okay.

  
  

  

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