wedding shower gift question?

I kinda agree with Because I Said so, showers are usually given for close family and friends, not for " I don't know the bride or the groom " people. In fact, that kind of shower is considered to be rude, and is giving a party just to get presents. If I were in your position, I would be skipping the shower, previous engagement excuse given, you don't know the guest[s] of honor. And normally, the shower gift is not given to the groom, there are more and more couples showers and money making parties given these days. And Rivers does not like the trend and considers it to be greedy, but you do not "have" to give a shower present to a guy.

But to answer your question, give whatever you feel comfortable with, give within your budget. Know that the trend now for showers is to take the big present there, so everyone can watch the bride open it and can oh and ah over it. The smaller present then goes to the wedding, when there is no one to oh and ah, and it might not even get opened before the wedding.

If it were me, I would set a budget for the combination purchase of both presents, like "I will not spend over $130 for both, excluding wrapping paper and cards". Then go buy two presents that you like, and you think the couple might like, and stay within your budget.

And for two kids you do not know, and for a Mom that you speak to and are social with once a year, I would not feel too obligated. and I would make sure that when it was time for my kids to go forth and marry, there would be an invitation for the bride, groom and the Mom. And my price tag might be closer to a hundred, and including the wrapping and cards. See below.

For you young people out there, who are just beginning to get invited to the long string of weddings, do what a couple answerers above are doing. Go buy a few nice sturdy baskets on sale, and watch sales for 6 months or more before a wedding you know is coming. . Gets some nice towels on sale, or buy some wine on sale, fix up a kitchen appliance/gizmo/dish basket, like the above lasagna pan filled with goodies. I would even consider doing what my Grandma did for her 7 children's kids. Everyone got the same thing. And my Mom did that too. That way, you could use one or two or three creative ideas, wow the family of the couple, and spend less than you would have if you heard about the wedding and went forth to buy something. Just keep track of who got what in your journal. This way, you can look like you spent a lot, but didn't. And everybody can use an extra 13x9 lasagna pan, or some white towels. Rivers would add a big pasta boiler to the list, filled with a box of pasta, some tongs, some oregano. Or a crock pot or dutch oven, bay leaves, bag of beans, something cute to put in those.

I wouldn't go, nor would I give a gift since you know neither the bride or groom.

I answered your other question but I have to amend that- if I didn't know the bride or groom, I wouldn't bother attending the shower, in which case no shower gift is required. I only attend wedding or baby showers if I have known the bride or mother to be at least half my life, otherwise it's boring as hell to sit in a room full of people you don't know.

i suppose i would not attend, and send well wishes, but say i had prior commitments...its not a gift grab :) i dont know why people invite other people that they DO NOT KNOW! But, if you already said you were going, what if you did this: (its what i do at showers to save cost...i have TONS i go too so its my solution)

A baking sheet in a basket with a bag of sugar, flour & chocolate chips with a recipe for CC cookies :)

OR

A pyrex pan in a basket with lasagna noodles, oregeno, sauce, wine and the gourmet breadstick crackers...then lasagna recipe...

the creativity makes up for the price... they range around $20-$25

I agree with the poster who said that this is a case for creativity. Other suggestions are two white bath towels and a bar of nice soap, and a cookbook with a fire extinguisher.

spend what you feel comfortable spending as you do not know them a token to show your good will is more than enough

i would say £20 is enough

or get them a nice photo frame or something similar

do they have a list? get something for about £20 on the list maybe it will get them a toaster :p

£25 - you're not very close.you can get some nice dishes or a towel set for that money.look on their registry

$25-$50 would seem good enough to me.