Etiquette for a Wedding Gift - Opinions and Help please

[apoppin]

My mother is giving a gift for her friend's son who is getting married. She wants to give them a major department stores gift certificate. I say a cashiers check makes a better gift since it can be spent in any way the couple sees fit.

The wedding is this week. What do you think?

 

[UG]

Prepaid legal services for when they want to get divorced.

Cash/check/gc's are considered lazy person gifts. Buy them a tv for the bedroom.

 

[snow patrol]

One word: toaster It's so cliched that nobody would be stupid enough to buy one, therefore leaving the happy couple with no toast! So, get them a toaster so as they can avoid this dreadful fate.

 

[apoppin]

No toaster, thanks. Just more for the happy couple to return.

I know gift certificates and cash are lazy people's gifts. (My mom is being lazy.)

I am asking about the difference between the two choices.

 

[ltk007]

Birth control pills. Save them from making the biggest mistake of their lives, having a kid. Or you could get a gift certificate for a vesectamy, that'd be unique.

 

[UG]

Between cashier's check or gift certificate, I'd say cashier checks represent more options.

 

[apoppin]

Personally, I thought some Napsterized CDs of their favorite music would be a great (cheap) gift since they don't have a computer - but my mother is having none of that.

So it looks like a money order/cash gift, so far.

 

[Isla]

apoppin

Nice to see you! You've gotten some hilarious answers, but I'll give you a woman's perpective.

It depends on how well off they are financially. If they are dirt poor like I was, a gift certificate to the grocery store would be appreciated! Home Depot if they already have a house... that kind of thing.

But, if they are like many of the couples I know nowadays, they really don't need anything.

Add to the list of possibilities a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, to remind them to honor the sacred date nite. Too often people get married and forget to be romantic... forget why they even married... and anything that reminds them to keep it special is a plus.

 

[apoppin]

Thanks for all of your answers. The reason I am for the cash is that this poor couple can spend it in any way that they choose. They can choose to buy groceries or something for the home or eat out.

My mom has read through your answers and has agreed with me (for once, "gasp&quot. Cash it will be.

Thanks, again.

 

[Isla]

Cool. I'm certain they will appreciate it. I remember the Kraft Mac and Cheese days well...

Peace!

 

[DesignDawg]

<< One word: toaster It's so cliched that nobody would be stupid enough to buy one, therefore leaving the happy couple with no toast! So, get them a toaster so as they can avoid this dreadful fate. >>


WRONG!!! One might THINK this would be the case, but you wouldn't BELIEVE how many toasters a couple can expect when they get married. I am getting married in about a month and a half, and we have ALREADY gotten 2!!! Here's the thing: People are in a rush, haven't bought a gift, they send their kid to Wal-Mart with a signed check while they are getting ready for the shower/tea/wedding. &quot;Go get a toaster or something.....a wedding present for Ricky and Heather.&quot; WHat does the kid bring back? A TOASTER OR SOMETHING. Nearly every gift you get that you didn't register for will be either a toaster or toaster oven. ALSO, hoping to avoid the &quot;noone got us a toaster because it's so cliche&quot; fiasco, couples REGISTER for toasters. Big mistake. See, if someone is buying you a gift from your registry, but they don't SPECIFICALLY tell the cashier to take it off your registry, it stays on there, and doesn't show that anyone bought it. You may have 5 or 6 people buy the EXACT SAME toaster off your list before someone actually tells the cashier specifically that it's from your registry. Even then, you have to contentd with the people who don't know where you're registered, and just go anywhere to buy you a gift. We expect to have at least 8 toasters by the end of this wedding thing. Lucky for us, you can always take them back and get something else.
In light of this: DO NOT buy them a toaster.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[BoberFett]

Isla

Excellent suggestion. My wife and I were financially dead when we got married and one of my good friends got us a gift certificate from the local warehouse style grocery store. That was one of the best gifts we got.

 

[Napalm381]

I've always liked getting cash/GCs for stuff...I'm not the sentimental type, I'm not offended or anything if I don't get a &quot;personal&quot; gift. As for GC versus cash, I'd go with cash unless you get them a GC to a specialty store that you know they like. That kind of GC is a little more personal than one to JC Penney or whatnot. On the other hand, cash ALWAYS fits and never has to be returned.

 

[T2T III]

How about an American Express Gift Cheque (Spelled this way for our Canadian friends )? This would allow them to use it for purchases wherever American Express is accepted. Plus, they look pretty nice too - looks like some nice gold currency. You can purchase these at your local bank.

 

[Aquaman]

Cold hard cash .............. nothing like rolling ........ well lets just save that for another nekkid party.

Cheers,
Aquaman