The most often asked question in my “Ask Cheryl” inbox is how much to spend on a wedding or shower gift. And while we all love a hard and fast etiquette rule, this is one of those questions that doesn’t have a “one size fits all” answer. Read on for my advice and some spending… Continue reading How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gift?
Category: Gifting Etiquette
Ask Cheryl: Mother of the Bride meets Mother of the Groom – Is a Gift Appropriate?
Some personalities love giving gifts to make others feel welcome—but is this practice ever over the top? Hi Cheryl, I’m meeting the groom’s mom for the first time at the bridal salon where my daughter is selecting her wedding dress. I want to make the groom’s mom feel comfortable and welcomed. Do I give a… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Mother of the Bride meets Mother of the Groom – Is a Gift Appropriate?
AskCheryl: What’s an Appropriate Engagement Party Gift?
Did you know that over 40% of all marriage proposals occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? With so many engagements on the horizon, I’ll be asked many questions about engagement gifts and engagement party etiquette. Today’s question comes from a guest who wants advice about selecting an engagement gift for a friend. Hello Cheryl, What… Continue reading AskCheryl: What’s an Appropriate Engagement Party Gift?
Ask Cheryl: How Much Should I Give for a Second Marriage?
It’s very common to receive an invitation to an “encore” wedding – the wedding of a couple getting married for the second or even third time. Choosing the perfect gift can be challenging, especially when it’s not their first time celebrating this special occasion, and it’s normal to wonder how much to spend. Dear Cheryl,… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: How Much Should I Give for a Second Marriage?
AskCheryl: How Late Can I Send a Baby Gift?
Today’s reader is embarrassed because she is late sending a baby gift. We’ve all been there – maybe we forgot, procrastinated, or had an excellent reason. Read on for my advice to her. How long after a baby’s birth can we send a newborn gift? We intended to do so and even bought the gift,… Continue reading AskCheryl: How Late Can I Send a Baby Gift?
Who Gets a Gift from the Bride and Groom?
Your wedding is an opportunity to show appreciation for close friends and family through thoughtful gifts. Pop quiz time! Question: Who should get a wedding gift from the happy couple? Answer: If you picked A or B, I wouldn’t be surprised. But, the answer is actually D. Which I know is semi-ambiguous, but bear with… Continue reading Who Gets a Gift from the Bride and Groom?
Ask Cheryl: Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?
Hi Dana, It is rarely “wrong” to give someone a gift, but it might be awkward in this case. It’s not customary for the groom’s parents to give the bride’s parents a gift at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding. Traditionally, the groom’s parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. I don’t recommend… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?
Ultimate Guide to Gift-Giving: When Do I Take a Gift?
With 2020 far behind us, you may find that your social calendar is filling up with celebrations both big and small. After years apart, we’re eager to gather to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and more! This sudden influx of invitations might mean you’re shopping for something to wear, brushing up on your small talk skills, and… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Gift-Giving: When Do I Take a Gift?
Wedding Edition: When Do I Take a Gift
If you have a friend or family member getting married soon, you may have noticed that the festivities begin long before the wedding. The months before the event are filled with gatherings like engagement parties, showers, and other pre-wedding events. If your mailbox (or inbox) is suddenly filled with invitations, read on. I’ll let you… Continue reading Wedding Edition: When Do I Take a Gift
Ask Cheryl: How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
Hi Cheryl, How do I share my wedding registry with our friends and family? I want to make sure they know where we’re registered. Thanks, Brenda Hi Brenda, When it comes to informing your family and friends where you are registered, of course, we hope you will tell them to find you on RegistryFinder.com. It’s… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
Etiquette Guide: When Are Baby Gifts Required?
A baby’s entry into the world is definitely a cause for celebration, but with all the different parties and occasions, it’s not always clear when you’re expected to give a baby gift. You may be invited to multiple gatherings, so when should you bring a gift? And what is the etiquette of baby gift-giving? Below… Continue reading Etiquette Guide: When Are Baby Gifts Required?
Ask Cheryl: Does My Bridal Shower Gift Have to Be From the Registry?
Hi Marcy, To rephrase your question, you are asking if it’s OK to buy a wedding or shower gift for a couple that they didn’t include on their wedding gift registry, and the answer is yes. Gift registries exist for guests’ convenience, and the gift registry is a list of suggestions, not a mandate. As… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Does My Bridal Shower Gift Have to Be From the Registry?
Ask Cheryl: Should I Send a Gift to the Shower if I Can’t Attend?
You’re invited to a baby or bridal shower but can’t go. What are you supposed to do? It’s a common question from our readers and website users wanting to know if they should send a gift to a shower if they cannot be there in person. Dear Cheryl, Can I send my gift directly to… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Should I Send a Gift to the Shower if I Can’t Attend?
Ask Cheryl: Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
Wedding guests often wonder if they should give the couple a gift even if they must incur travel expenses to attend the wedding. Dear Cheryl, I am going to my nephew’s wedding celebration out of state. The couple is already married. I have to purchase a flight and a hotel room, so I’m wondering: am I expected… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
Ask Cheryl: Baby Gifts and the Workplace
When someone in the office is expecting, is it appropriate to give a baby gift? What if you haven’t been invited to a shower? Dear Cheryl, One of our coworkers is expecting, and invited one member of the staff to her baby shower. My coworker who was invited collected money from the rest of us… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Baby Gifts and the Workplace
Ask Cheryl: The Best Way to Give a Cash Wedding Gift
Gift registries and online shopping have made purchasing wedding gifts easier than ever, but some guests (and couples!) still prefer cash. What’s the best way to send the money? Dear Cheryl, Is it permissible to include money in the wedding card on the day of the ceremony? I’d like to contribute toward the honeymoon fund… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: The Best Way to Give a Cash Wedding Gift