Frugal Gift Giving....of a sort (items, best, old, money)

[Oramasfella]

I don't give out presents, let alone have friends who engage in the whole guft registry game, which is anathema to being frugal and being aware of how wasteful we as a society are. My friends know this and they are fine with it.

[ClaraC]

Originally Posted by Oramasfella

I don't give out presents, let alone have friends who engage in the whole guft registry game, which is anathema to being frugal and being aware of how wasteful we as a society are. My friends know this and they are fine with it.

If you're invited to a wedding, or baby shower, you just go and don't bring a gift?

[Murk]

I'll buy off the registry if there is something affordable, but I usually buy something else. I wouldn't buy a cheaper replacement for the thing they really wanted though. For example, if they register for ABC company coffee pot, I'm not going to get them an XYZ coffee pot instead. I feel like that would be a waste. (I probably wouldn't buy anyone a coffee pot.)

[Sarahsez]

Originally Posted by Oramasfella

I don't give out presents, let alone have friends who engage in the whole guft registry game, which is anathema to being frugal and being aware of how wasteful we as a society are. My friends know this and they are fine with it.

Originally Posted by ClaraC

If you're invited to a wedding, or baby shower, you just go and don't bring a gift?

I guess I can usually think of a little something useful to give regardless of whether it is needed or not. It's a show of goodwill and goes beyond just money. I often give a baby gift of an outfit that is 12-16 months size suitable for the season a year from when the baby is due. It's practical and most of the baby gifts have been used by the time the baby is that age. I can give a gift card to a decent/nice restaurant for a newly married couple for a nice night out. It's just a way of saying I care about you.

[Oramasfella]

Originally Posted by ClaraC

If you're invited to a wedding, or baby shower, you just go and don't bring a gift?

I can honestly say that I have never been to a wedding or a baby shower in my life.
Seriously.
It's simply one of those things that my very untraditional circle of friends doesn't care about (traditional rituals designed by society to make people spend money on pointless crap).
It has been a long-time conscious effort on my part to cultivate a life that is devoid of stuff like that.
And even my more traditionally leaning friends and associates know that, since I don't care for thos things, it's best not to invite me to weddings and baby showers.
It sounds "weird," but it is so easy for me to do it.
And yes, I do happen to have several really wonderful lifelong friends.

[jmcahacker]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

No, you don't have to buy off the registry.

My opinion is that it is very poor manners for a wedding couple to send out a demand list that only includes very expensive items from a high priced store.

Gift wish lists really should include a wide range of prices and a considerate couple will register at more than one store to accomodate the different income levels of their guests.

The registry is to reduce duplicates and also to make gift China and silver come in the same pattern. If duplicates are received, a thank you note is issued, and one of the items is returned and exchanged.

This idea of demanding expensive gifts, and only the expensive one desired, is very self centered. All gifts should be appriciated and well behaved thanks given instead of sulking because one's demands weren't met.

I completely agree with this! I don't care who you think you are, everyone can find at least a dozen things from Target or somewhere similar that you can register for a wedding or baby gift to meet everyone's price range.

I also disagree with the current belief that your wedding gift should equal at least your dinner plate or preferably the entire cost per guest. You set your budget not your guests so don't base it on the expectation of being reimbursed for every $50 plate of chicken and the $2000 venue. You should want your guests there for their presence in your life not based on what they are bringing and gifts should be considered a bonus to be appreciated.

[athena53]

Originally Posted by jmcahacker

I also disagree with the current belief that your wedding gift should equal at least your dinner plate or preferably the entire cost per guest. You set your budget not your guests so don't base it on the expectation of being reimbursed for every $50 plate of chicken and the $2000 venue.

Heck, yeah. I complained about this in another post, but my nephew's fiancee has chosen Charleston as a wedding location even though both families live in Charlotte and no one I know of on either side lives in Charleston. So, everyone has to find hotels or drive from 2-3 hours away. Charleston hotels are expensive. I'm flying there and that won't be cheap, either. I joked with my brother that I was going to get them a paperback cookbook (even though I'm sure the wedding will be extravagant). He offered to go in on it with me.

[reneeh63]

Originally Posted by Sarahsez

"Going rogue." I like that.

I spend within my budget. I could go either way. A registry is the same as giving cash for some couples since they have the option to return the goods for cash. I've heard people say they have done that. I'm more likely to buy off a registry if I don't know the couple well. If there is a gift I think is better then what I see on the registry I will get that instead. I always stay within my budget whatever I do.

It's just too bad that people play the game of returning for cash because obviously the store gets their "cut". I've read that most people end up giving a larger cash amount than what they'd spend on a purchased gift.

If you're just gonna cash out anyway, save everyone the bother!

[cebuan]

I just assume that nobody will ever check to see if I gave anything or not.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by cebuan

I just assume that nobody will ever check to see if I gave anything or not.

You might be wrong.