Tough Economy & Gift Giving... thoughts
(community article)
The economy is tough right now...
I have seen alot of post regarding gift giving and guests showing up empty handed. I said this in another post, you should never show up empty handed to an invited event. However that doesn't mean that you should make yourself broke in the process.
Lets brainstorm ladies... what "cheap" gifts could a guest bring to your events. We are on a public forum, so maybe someone who was intending on showing up empty handed, will stop rethinking that idea.... and get inspiration from this thread!
If you are invited to a shower, bake the brides favorite cookies, cupcakes, or something (clear it with the hostess, so there is not a large amount of sugary treats)
If you are invited to a wedding, a nice photo album (like $40 at pottery barn?)
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mrsharris2010: you can make the bride and groom a time capsule, something creative that doesn't take long. give them instructions they are to put things in there from their wedding day and not open it for 1 2 or 5 years.
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hurleygrl135: if you're close to the bride and groom and can get access to pics chronicling their relationship you could make a scrapbook for them and even set up a few pages that they can add wedding photos to.
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m.h.1.23: I saw a gift at a shower once that was a lot of fun- a basket (you can buy half off at Michaels), bottle of wine (not a pricey bottle), two wine glasses (you can buy at the dollar store), a couple candles, and some Dove chocolates. It was a romantic night in a basket :)
for the wedding- a nice frame or a photo album can be inexpensive but thoughtful.
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erindira: When I was recently a bridesmaid, we got the couple gifts together that went with the idea of giving their honeymoon some extra enjoyment. Altogether they received some gourmet chocolates, a bottle of wine and wine glasses, a wine stopper with their new married initial engraved in it, lingerie for the bride (or should I say, for the groom), and a beach bag with their married name embroidered on it with beach towels (they were going to Hawaii). It didn't cost any of us too much money at all and altogether it was a nice assortment for them to enjoy their honeymoon.
In short, I'd recommend getting some kind of group gift if you know anyone attending - they tend to be less expensive than getting a solo gift.
Oh, and my favorite shower gift, since my mom asked everyone to bring a favorite recipe - a friend of the family gave me the recipe for "Better than Sex Cake" and she bought all of the main ingredients and put them into a cake pan. With the cake pan, the gift cost was probably only $15 altogether and it was great!
If you're thinking as a bride what to get people, Etsy is always a great place to go! I got my BMs small makeup bags/purses that fit their personality - only $8 on Etsy! My BM who just got married was using hers at her wedding just a few weeks ago! I also got my mom (as a hostess gift for my bridal shower) these wooden blocks from Etsy that spelled out "MOM" and had old family photos imposed on them. $15!
If you're reallly tapped out and need to get a "gift" for a wedding, a handwritten note to the bride and groom is always loved. Buy them a nice looking journal for $5-10 and put some "words of wisdom" on marriage that you collect from her parents, his parents, etc. Then offer them some challenge to write in the journal every day, notes to each other, things you appreciate about your spouse, etc.
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MrsWagner2b: Great post!!! I'll think of some great ideas and post later, but just wanted to post real quick, I would be hesitant about picture frames, let me tell you I got a ton of them, and only a few could go on the wall so now I have to find places for them all... not an easy task!!! if you do a picture frame maybe do an album or find a pic of you and the bride/groom and put it in it, that would make it more personal and they may want to hang it as is!!!
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MrzLemUS: I wanted to elaborate on Erindira last suggestion. I think it's a wonderful idea. I was a BM at a friends wedding where one of the guest got a really pretty journal and passed it around to all of the guest. It had a note on it that said to keep it a secret and write anything in it. The book had short passages, words of wisdom, reflection of the day, thoughts at the very moment, pictures from some of the kids etc. It was SO beautiful! There was one message that said "He he, you're standing right next to me and don't even know i'm writing about you." or "the only thing that takes my eye off of you is the cake." Most of these were literally signed anonymous. It was a little better than the "write a note" sign in thing, because it was unexpected and private. The bride and everyone else who saw the finished product cried. The guest collected the book, tied it with a ribbon and gave it to them right as they got in their get away car. Honestly, I hope someone does this at my wedding. (I might have to do it myself)Guest still talk about it and the whole thing cost 15 at the very most!!
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arivera2286: I like your idea Erin! I once did a spaghetti dinner night! I bought a strainer, pasta, pasta sauce, parm cheese, wine, and 2 wine glasses! My friend enjoyed it and used everything the next day! I spent about $15!
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NanaBoop: A recipe box filled with family/friend favorites would be a priceless gift - heck, I'd still love one now after 29 years of marriage!!!
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wildfirej29: I think this makes a great gift! I would have loved getting one of these!
29.00 on etsy
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2dBride: Another thought: At our wedding, many people offered services instead of tangible gifts. For example, they took b-pics, did a video of the ceremony, helped with set-up or clean-up, ran a DIY photobooth for us, or served as reception musician. We were delighted by these gifts, because they were very personal and showed our friends' support of our marriage. At the same time, they didn't cost our friends a dime.
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