Wedding Gifting
ask an expert: weddingscanada
(May.07.10)
I have four weddings this summer, and have no idea what to do for gifts! How much is appropriate to spend?
Susan T. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and SweetLife etiquette expert, Janet Watson, answered;
Four weddings in one summer can put a serious dent in your wallet. You need to keep a few things in mind when purchasing gifts.
- How close you are to the bride and groom will be a key factor in how much you spend. Be financially responsible and stay within your budget.
- If you are going to an out-of-town wedding, remember to factor in your travel costs.
- Don’t worry about spending as much on the gift as you think your dinner is going to cost – that is an urban myth!
- As a general rule of thumb, I suggest spending around $50 for a co-worker or distant family member, $75-$100 for a relative or friend and $100-$150 or more for a close relative or close friend.
- Remember to double that amount if two of you are attending the event.
- If you are going to a destination wedding, the gift expectation is lower as you have already invested quite a bit of cash for the travel itself. The real gift in this situation is your presence!
Remember to include a beautiful card with your gift in which you have expressed your congratulations, best wishes and any personal thoughts you would like to share with the couple. Then relax and enjoy the party!
Janet Watson loves showing people how to eat…and how to set a beautiful table….and how to hand out business cards….and “what NOT to wear to an interview”…in other words, anything to do with social and business etiquette. She is the owner of The Etiquette Class in Calgary, Alberta.
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