Money Tree instead of presents

kit

My OH and I have lived togetherfor 5 years so dont really need presents..... but could benefit from money to save up for stuff.
So we are having a money tree instead. The aim is to have a big branch sprayed silver for people to peg little envelopes with money on to.

Has anyone done this? I need pics for inspiration!

karen_newcastle

It sounds a lovely idea but please think about how easy it would be for someone to remove a little envelope :-( Horrible thought I know but when I was planning my wedding another bride had lots of her gifts stolen from her reception and it now makes me think more about that side.

Neeny82

BEWARE some people will find this incredibly cheeky! I personally found the best way to not offend people was to put nothing in the invitations. If anyone asked then we directed them towards vouchers for our new bathroom (but this was only after they had insisted they be able to buy us something)

We were extremely lucky and surprised to receive a vast amount of money, vouchers and a handful of lovely gifts which I will treasure. But we need anticipated or expected them as we knew that it would be costing people enough to actually attend our wedding in te first place.

Don't give up on the tree idea though my friend had one with little paper hearts where the guests could write messages of love and luck and hang them from the tree! It was very cute x

kit

Thanks guys.
I would hope no one would nick anything.... they are all close family and friends.
to be honest, I dont care if people find it cheeky... I personally dont think its any different from asking for presents, you are still asking for something. People who are coming are used to me and my forthright (sp??) ways!

bigmomma051204

kit wrote: »

Thanks guys.
I would hope no one would nick anything.... they are all close family and friends.
to be honest, I dont care if people find it cheeky... I personally dont think its any different from asking for presents, you are still asking for something. People who are coming are used to me and my forthright (sp??) ways!

To be honest - its not your friends and family who may steal...its the many waiters, waitresses etc who work at venue - believe me, it happens More than you would believe!!! :eek: A postbox/wishing well type thing works alot better as you would notice some scabby little waiter shaking a bloomin' great cardboard postbox or wishing well upside down!!!! :T

kit

Thanks.... but we have no staff! Its a totally DIY wedding with a hog roast run by friends as a wedding present to us.

samidevils

The other option is a "wishing well". We were looking at this type of thing.
B+Q do one (plus we would use it for the garden after) and it would be similar, anonomous donation type thing. I didn't know how OH's family would react (i know mine would be ok) so I may put a bit of paper/card in the invitation saying something along the lines of "we don't want any pressies but if you feel you want to give something there will be an option of a wishing well..."

I haven't thought about it too much just yet as if I end up with 5 kettles no big deal lol

shellsuit

Won't people who are gonna give cash, give it in a card on the day?

Or are you going to tell them specifically that if they are giving cash, to hold onto it so they can put it in an envelope and hang it on your money tree?

ncv2

Are you telling people you want money on the invite? I think it's very tacky.

If you are not telling people and just hope they bring money I agree it's a bad idea due to the theft thing. I would suggest a bird cage or box.

chelbel1981

ncv2 wrote: »

Are you telling people you want money on the invite? I think it's very tacky.

If you are not telling people and just hope they bring money I agree it's a bad idea due to the theft thing. I would suggest a bird cage or box.

Each to there own and all that :rolleyes: but I don't see the point leaving it up to guests, why would you want 3 toasters, 10 towel bails etc

That is exactly what we are going to do in a form of a poem
Short and to the point, if they don't like it then they don't really know me

Original poster - I think it is a good idea and could look fab if there are no light fingers:j

Claire_Bear

My brother and his wife did a little poem in their invitations asking for dollars for their honeymoon, as they literally have everything they need for their house and like you say, what's the point in getting 5 kettles or whatever? It's much better that you know your gift is appreciated and useful in some way, and no-one thought it was cheeky that they asked for it. It was just a nice request, they weren't demanding that people gave them money, some people still brought presents. If you mention that you're saving for a particular thing (home improvements, holiday etc) which is the reason that you'd rather have the money then people might feel a bit better about it? I know I wouldn't be offended at all if people asked me for money, after all they'd know best about what they wanted instead of me guessing about what they'd like the most.