SOCIAL QUESTION - Is cash a bad idea for a gift?

Tizzy Lizz^ · Number of posts: 2317 Localisation: Illadelph Registration date: 2007-01-03

I have been told that cash shows that you "put no thought into the gift". However, what if you just don't know what the person wants or you may not be able to get to registry store in time for the event (ex: bridal showers).

I don't mind cash and I'm just asking - is it a lazy gift?

Does it depend on the person?

When it comes to weddings, usually the couple will need money after allthe money they spent on the wedding, right?

I should also mention that I may not be able to stay for the entire shower, most likely I would only be able to drop off a lovely card with cash in it and stay for, at best, 30 minutes - is that inappropriate?

My gut says, that if I have to ask for your opinion...chances are my actions may be tacky and inappropriate.

Is there any way to jazz this up? I do plan on having a friendship with this person

alyson · Number of posts: 1143 Registration date: 2007-01-04

cash is not a tacky gift and it's normally appreciated. however, for a bridal shower, i would get a gift card at least. (and you can get them in grocery stores now.)

for the wedding, i think cash is normally the expected gift. the goal is to recoup the money that you spent on the wedding in gifts (although most people won't say that and will give a pink answer about sharing the special day w/loved ones.)

i'm helping my friend plan her wedding and her fiance is putting on the invite CASH GIFTS ONLY. me being me, we have to figure out a polite way to word that.

_________________
alyson...

"yesterday was practice."
~ jg

swayyah · Number of posts: 277 Registration date: 2007-11-05

I hate giving cash to people i know. one reason is...i do think it's impersonal, but i'm a person who likes to buy gifts and have people be surprised by them. two...sometimes i don't know how much to give! cheers

and i'll spend more money on a gift then i would give you in cash...i'll pay 60$ for a diaper geenie but if i give you money it'll probably be far less. scratch

i guess that's the cheap side of me. Embarassed

i think a gift card will do though. people need money in these hard times. and no one wants to see people's raggedy stripper tips when they open an envelope! lol!

yeah...i agree with Ally...go with the gift card.

Tizzy Lizz^ · Number of posts: 2317 Localisation: Illadelph Registration date: 2007-01-03

okay - i'll have to find out what stores are good...so far there's crate and barrel, but i don't know where i can find a gift card for that store...and between now and then, I won't have time to go to the store in person.

any electronic gift cards?

A_Str8 · Number of posts: 865 Localisation: Philadelphia Registration date: 2006-12-29

Some banks offer gift cards that you can use anywhere you can use a credit card. Those might be easier to find and they more flexible for the recipient

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alyson · Number of posts: 1143 Registration date: 2007-01-04

one of my favorite things is an amazon gift card. then send you the info via email. or, just hit up a grocery store, wawa, or CVS. I buy gift cards there all of the time for last minute gifts. from nordstrom to barnes and noble - they have them all.

_________________
alyson...

"yesterday was practice."
~ jg

swayyah · Number of posts: 277 Registration date: 2007-11-05

you can get american express gift cards so they can use the money for whatever they want.

Tizzy Lizz^ · Number of posts: 2317 Localisation: Illadelph Registration date: 2007-01-03

A_Str8 wrote:

Some banks offer gift cards that you can use anywhere you can use a credit card. Those might be easier to find and they more flexible for the recipient

Wow - thats cool to keep in mind