I usually spend $50 - $75 on a gift for the bridal shower - which I thought was pretty decent, but I'm at a bit of a loss on this one. My "worst case" scenario is going to be a $50 gift card to the store where the registry is, but I like the idea of giving something that the bride-to-be can unwrap. I don't like to deviate from the registry.
Is it a totally crappy gift to buy a few washcloths ($12 ea) or hand towels ($20 ea) -- since I can only afford a few of each due to the steep price tag on them??? Or just not have that box for the bride to open and give the gift card?
2011-07-18T10:46:05Z
The $50 - $75 is not out of my budget, it is what I typically spend on a bridal shower gift (no bills are in jeopardy at this dollar amount) - the wedding gift is normally cash & I don't care how much they are paying for my meal, I normally gift a certain amount of money.
I'm just normally able to find more substantial gifts on registries within this price range that I typically spend: Crock Pots, "everyday" dish sets, pots/pans, a complete set of the 6 bath towels they are registered for, linens, kitchen gadgets, etc. This particular family member just happened to set up a rather expensive registry where 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel and 1 wash cloth are adding up to over $60 (the bath towels are $30 each) - add sales tax & shipping and I'm at my preferred budget limit.
Slightly Ravenous2011-07-18T08:25:51Z
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I say you wrap the gift card in a box :)
There is no rule that says a gift card must be put in a card. I wrap them in boxes all the time. You still get to have them open something, but they also get something they want :)
Honey, this is 2011 not 1911. She can buy her own expensive hand towels with her own money.
Here's a gift guide.
Give what you can without blowing your own personal budget. The bride and groom would be horrified if your utilities were disconnected because you spent your bill money on their overpriced gift.
A good rule of thumb - is to total up what you and your significant other would spend on a night out and give that amount. If a night out means fast food and a budget movie, then give that amount. If you're well-heeled enough to afford reservations at Chateau Les Big Bucks and box seats at the Opera, then give that amount.
In truth, $50 - $75 is quite generous indeed for a person on a limited income. How about just stuffing a $50 into a "money card," signing it, and leaving it on the gift table with all the other envelopes.? Then she too can go to the outlet mall where she usually shops and buy her hand towels there.
As for this foolishness of "I don't like to deviate from the registry" business - get over that. Like now, because you sound like a Wedding Nazi talking. You're not in a position to look like Mr/Ms Fat-Cat anyway. So just give cold hard cash.
I just ran across the same problem a month ago. I mean they even had televisions on there for four hundred and two hundred dollar toasters. I thought it was rude and tacky. Not to mention they had six pages of stuff on there. I already planned on giving them a hundred bucks for the wedding present so they can put it towards their honeymoon. I ended up picking the thirty dollar picture frame and a nice card. With this being said, she recieved things that werent on the registry at her bridal shower like neglige's and such. You can get creative and give her a more memorable present like wedding night "care package" complete with fuzzy handcuffs, oils and a sexy nighty.......or a nice robe that says bride to wear on the wedding day, or something similiar. I would not get a sixty dollar towel set, no matter how much money i had. Its just the principle of it. Well that is just me, but If you dont want to get whats on the registry, then dont. JUst put some thought into it.
I try to find the same items at different stores. For example, if the person has pyrex baking dishes registered at Crate and Barrell for $25, I might go to Target and get the exact same set for $12.99 or if I'm lucky, Ross or Marshalls for $7.99. Or, if they want Oxo Goodgrips kitchen utensils from bed bath and beyond, I'll usually find the exact same ones at TJ Maxx. In the event that I cannot find the same items in other stores, I'll usually buy a $50 gift card at the store where they registered and a tasteful, inexpensive practical item that may not be on the registry from a discount store (such as oven mitts, pretty candles, a picture frame). There have been times, I've gone for the "theme" gift, such as dinner and a movie for two (gift cards), or a picnic basket with a bottle of wine inside (and if I can find them for a low price, 2 glasses or a picnic blanket). I try to utilize discount websites like groupon or travelzoo, and sometimes score great symphony tickets or dinner for two packages at fancy restaurants for %50 off. Lastly, if I'm out of ideas, I look at the color schemes and style of what's on the registry, and I buy something that would go along those lines that isn't on the registry but is in my price range. Hopefully, it will "go" with everything the couple receives from their registry.
What you should do is put a check or gift card into a shower card then wrap the whole card in a box. Basically trick her into wondering what you got her and that she has to unwrap something.
Usually I just buy what I know the person needs if I am close to that person. I usually buy small items and make a pretty basket for them because the wrapping is actually more important that what is inside! People are amazed by simple baskets I put together because I make sure they look so pretty and expensively wrapped (even though it wasnt expensive to wrap). I think you should get silver paper and ribbons and wrap the gift card with the card in a box and make it look very pretty like you had it professionally wrapped.
Another thought is that people love 'crate and barrel' and they wrap items for free in a white box. I would go down and buy a set of nice drinking glasses and maybe wrap the outside of the box. People think WOW crate and barrel and yet that store does have low priced items like glasses for 1.25 each (so I usually get 4 tall and 4 short glasses and maybe wine or martini glasses). If you think she could use more glasses dont use the registry and go to crate and barrel and buy necessities you can afford there. And just ask for a gift receipt so she can exchange it if she really wants to.