<p>My coworker’s wedding is coming up, and I’m really at a loss with what to give her. This is the first wedding I’ve ever gone to without my mom being there as well, and normally she handles the gifts and just puts “love mom and harvestmoon.” </p>
<p>I’ve worked with this girl for several years, but to be honest, we haven’t always gotten along. This year has been one of our better years, so I’d like to make sure I’m appropriate with her gift. </p>
<p>She’s a baker who has a cake/cupcake business on the side, and I gave her an extra large mixing cup thing along with some towels for her shower. That was on her registry, but one of my other coworkers gave me the registry, and I don’t know how registries work after the shower. She’s already been living on her own with her fiancee for a few years, so I know she doesn’t need too many general house things. </p>
<p>I know most people give money at a wedding, but if I were to do that, how much would be acceptable? My mom has no idea. I’m not making a lot of money right now, but I do have savings from the summer. I didn’t invite my coworker to my high school graduation or anything, so I have nothing to base my amount on. </p>
<p>I’d appreciate any advice on this! Thank you :)</p>
<p>Is she registered online at a store? Because then the registry is probably still there if you want to choose from it again (which in my experience is the safest bet). If you do cash, it’s hard to know how much would be appropriate. Since you’re young, I would say $50 would be enough (or given as a gift certificate to HomeGoods or William Sonoma).</p>
<p>Around here the registry is for shower AND wedding. In your situation I would pick what you could afford from the registry. D2 has been invited to several coworker weddings over the past two years. As a lowly college student she made a gift for the first couple and then everyone else has asked her to make the same thing for them! It costs approximately $20 but is really nice. It is one of the framed prints that spell out the last name where the letters are photos of letters found in signs, buildings, nature. She learned how to make it from Pinterest. I will look for the link.</p>
<p>It is perfectly fine to pick something from the registry for the wedding. In fact, that is the NORM in many circles. It is NOT the case that “most people give money at a wedding.” </p>
<p>I think you should just pick something from the registry that you can afford. A young person should not be delving into their savings for an expensive gift. Another option is for several of you to go in together on something a little pricier; that is, if other coworkers have been invited to the wedding. For example, years ago, several of us at a workplace went in on a nice Cuisinart. (It wasn’t on the registry, but we knew that they didn’t have one and would like it.)</p>
<p>If you decide to give $$, I think you truly should only give what you can comfortably afford - I personally feel that $25 is appropriate. Other ideas:
are there any other co-workers to go in on a gift with???
a gift basket - maybe a Sunday morning breakfast basket with coffee/tea, sweet breads and a relaxing CD to listen to???</p>
<p>I like to give something like a flower vase or candle holder which can be any price and used often no matter how many you happen to have. Find a nice one on sale and wrap it up. I really like the name picture that NMinn mentioned. A personal gift will be remembered long after as coming from YOU rather than the gift cards and registry gifts.
Easiest is the registry–just pay for it and you’re done. The registry is good for shower and wedding.</p>
<p>Go to the registry store website, search wedding registry, enter name of bride - the registry will be updated showing all the items that were purchased prior to the wedding. It is always safest to purchase items from a registry if you are unsure of what the couple likes/needs. I also like the Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table gift card idea - in an amount you can comfortably afford.</p>
<p>I have often framed the invitation in a crafty way - something someone did for me when I got married. Put the invitation in a wooden frame (I get them at Walmart for less than $5) and then decorate the frame with small silk flowers and fabric ribbon (I go to Michaels). The entire gift is less than $10 and they always love it - because they spent a lot of time and money picking out the invitation and they don’t know how to preserve one for themselves afterwards. It’s a hit every time I do it.</p>
<p>Go with something from the registry if possible, you KNOW they want what is on it. Or a Target gift card. I am with those who say skip the crafts – people might SAY they love them, but what else can they say?</p>
<p>I can look around my house 35 years later and still remember who gave me what gift whether it was big or small. Except for my parents gift of money (which helped launch us!), I don’t remember the monetary gifts.</p>
<p>Most people give money? Really? If so a student who’s already bought something for a shower should be fine with $25 to $50. You could also see if there is something in that price range left on their registry. I agree that going in with a group for something bigger might be the best solution of all. And for what it’s worth we got a number of vases, all of which I use and all of which I remember who gave them to me and none of which were on our registry.</p>
<p>Did you check the registry? Is there anything affordable on there??? </p>
<p>The last couple of weddings we attended, the couples were registered but the choices were kind of limited and EXPENSIVE! I think that was their way to lean people towards cash.</p>
<p>Depends on where OP is, there are regional differences on what and how much. When it comes to co-workers, I tend to do what others do. Around NYC area it is fairly common to give money. OP already gave a gift for the shower, so I wouldn’t go overboard.</p>
<p>I don’t think a young person with limited income should spend $50 on a wedding gift for a colleague who is not a very close friend, especially since she already bought a shower gift. Look for something in the $25 range from the registry.</p>
<p>The registry probably has a crystal bowl or a vase on it for not much money. It will last much longer than the $50 in cash that you could give them.</p>
<p>Alternatively, ask if there is anything special (not lingerie!) that she would need for the honeymoon. Some people might want or need one of those traveller’s wallets that are hung around the neck and placed underneath a shirt. You could get them his-and-hers passport covers with his initials and her new initials on them.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the responses! Lots of things to consider. The wedding is this weekend, so I need to act fast! </p>
<p>I really like the mounted letter idea. That would be good for a plethora of different occasions! And also, the passport cover thing is a good idea too! I know they just got their passports recently because their honeymoon will be abroad, so that would be a fun thing to give them.</p>