Too many invites - Page 2

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

Many times if you receive an invitation it is an honor, because someone is thinking about you, and cares enough to invite you to a special event/celebration. You should be pleased you have all of these wonderful friendships.

I do not think it is all about people wanting gifts--many times these days young people can go off and do destination weddings without any guests.

I also agree with you no gift cards--I think of them as lacking in imagination. No, you are NOT required to just buy from the wedding registry.

I happen to be an excellent shopper (which is why I like QVC), and an excellent gift giver. Most of my gifts appear to have cost many times what I spend. When I choose to give gifts, I want my gifts to be memorable.

Here is what I recommend for babies--go to a vintage antique store, or look online, and find some small silver spoons (I usually only give sterling silver, but silverplate is acceptable). Prices can be quite reasonable! You then wrap it very nicely, and say the baby is born with a silver spoon--quite memorable.

Just so you know, Tiffany's sells similar spoons, and baby combs, and these cost HUNDREDS of dollars. Yes, I have bought and gifted them for relatives, but the antique ones are prettier and cheaper.

However, it does often take time and energy to search out bargains!

For weddings, there is nothing better than a lovely pair of crystal wine glasses or candle sticks--again, can easily be purchased vintage. I also buy Waterford on other sites at great prices.

Another option for everybody is a nice silverplated or crystal frame--great for photos.

Finally, if even minimum budgets are a struggle, another option is the name of the person or people artistically drawn in script with colors and designs, and ready to be framed. I see this idea a lot in craft shows.

Best wishes!

Hoovermom · ‎03-19-2010

I received a "first" for me for wedding invitations......paraphrasing this....."we have been so blessed to acquire so much that we request you purchase the selected items from our registry. If you don't wish to do this, please contribute to our honeymoon fund." Wow is what I said and I love these friends of ours

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@Hoovermom If I got this I'd be picking my jaw up off the floor. I will NEVER contribute to a honeymoon fund.

Stay where you can afford. Greediness knows no bounds, nor does the nerve of some couples. I'm 76 and "back when" people would have been horrified to get a request like this.

Franklinbell · ‎01-04-2015

@FancyPhillyshopper @Great ideas! Love the silver spoon idea!

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I never expected anyone to "solve it " for me, just looking for suggestions. Sorry you were offended.

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I never considered attending them all. Two of them are on the same day. I have declined the wedding that is out of state. I will probably attend both baby showers since they are much more fun. Not sure about the others yet. No, I know I do not have to send a gift when I am invited, and of course I know I don't have to attend. I was hoping for some ideas but I will just have to figure it out myself.

colleena · ‎03-27-2010

@Trailrun23 Not at all what you were looking for but ... in the last 10 years or so I've learned to say "no" & it's an amazing feeling that I can do that. Whatever you decide to do, do what's right for you.

ThinkingOutLoud · ‎05-01-2020

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I never considered attending them all. Two of them are on the same day. I have declined the wedding that is out of state. I will probably attend both baby showers since they are much more fun. Not sure about the others yet. No, I know I do not have to send a gift when I am invited, and of course I know I don't have to attend. I was hoping for some ideas but I will just have to figure it out myself.

So are you looking for gift ideas? That's not what I understood since you mentioned sticking to the gift registry. If you are wondering about affordable gifts though, one thing that comes to mind is something a family member would do. Their hobby was knitting and they would knit baby blankets and full-size ones to give as gifts for babies and weddings. It's useful, no one else will be giving that item and there's no 'figuring out a gift' every single time an invite shows up.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

In today's world, people have too much stuff. So make it simple, give something you know is useful and give a gift card or cash. There is no point in fretting over it.

Times change and etiquette changes. People don't need or want stuff, they need to pay the bills and replace phones.