Does 'no gifts' aways mean no gifts....

morg_monster

Oh and once, we were invited to the evening reception locally with a "no gifts" thing, some nice photos of the couple appeared on Facebook during the afternoon, so we printed one on photo paper, bought a cheap but nice frame (I think from Tescos!) to put it in, and gave the happy couple this. They were really happy with it as they wouldn't have the professional photos for weeks! That was just good luck though!

elantan

personally i hate recieveing gifts, so when i have said no gifts i mean no gifts ( that includes cash for me as well) we purposely didnt have an engagement party and a very small wedding so that we didnt recieve many gifts ( not the only reason obviously)

for hubby's 40th we did Thailand, loads of our friends were dissapointed we didnt have a party, but we didnt want a party we wanted to go travelling, for my 40th it was west coast USA and again we heard cries of well when are you having a party,

i think it depends on the individual, some will say dont buy me anything but they want something, and others will say dont buy me anything and mean it

i always appreciated it when a friend phoned me up and wanted to meet up ... maybe lunch or a walk ... spending time with my friends is more important to me than any present

good luck working it out though as i usually mess up when it comes to others lol

podperson

I think that even if a couple says 'no gifts' and 100% means it and doesn't want a thing then there will always be some guests who insist on bringing something. I think some people have an assumation that it's 'rude' not to bring a gift, or they feel awkward or that the couple 'must want something really'. It's more that the procotol is so ingrained in them that they feel they HAVE to do it.

If the couples said no gifts and you went along with that then I definately wouldn't feel bad about it. A couple I know got married around the start of the year and specifically said they didn't want any gifts. They had been together over ten years, had two kids, a home together and so felt they didn't really need anything and would have felt uncomfortable asking for cash. They still ended up with a mountain of things and while I know they appreciated the thought then things like toasters, coffee makers, plates etc that they got I know they have no need for and will probably just go to waste.

loulou123

We originally asked for no gifts at our wedding (as we were more interested in people spending the day with us then them bringing presents.)

People kept asking what we wanted or if they could have a copy of our gift list, so in the end we made up a gift list. Literally everyone brought a present, or put money/vouchers in a card, even though we still had "no presents" on the invite.

I think people like buying gifts for special occasions like weddings.

Georgiegirl256

Cloudydaze wrote: »

That's what I thought. However, not sure if this will be odd as the party is in a Champagne bar!!!

Ah, maybe not then?!

What about a flower card? A card and a gift (sort off!) in one.... http://www.flowercard.co.uk/

ValHaller

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Alot of people live together now first before getting married, so they usually already have everything they need regards home things.

If they say they don't want gifts, then no need to feel embarrassed if you don't take one.

A better thing to do is give a gift to a single person who is setting up hoe for the first time - that is when a gift would be useful - and not just a pair of secondhand curtains or a wardrobe you don't need.

tayforth

For the second-time-around wedding, I would probably just give a card, or maybe a small token gift if you feel that you must. We were given gifts for our wedding and have now split up. If I ever get married again and invite the same guests, no way would I expect gifts from them second time around!!!

For the other couple, it's really up to you. If a couple says 'no gifts', they can't complain about people not bringing gifts!

For the birthday, I would bring a card and a voucher, or else a token gift.

Sorry if that's a bit vague! Lol.

zzzLazyDaisy

Cloudydaze wrote: »

That's what I thought. However, not sure if this will be odd as the party is in a Champagne bar!!!

Actually I think that would make it an extra special gift - you could wrap it decoratively with a label saying 'a special memory for a special day' or something like that, and they would have happy memories when they drink it together later.

newcook

I've always felt odd going to a wedding and not taking a gift even if they have said 'no gifts'!

why not get them a nice picture frame for a wedding photo? one of my friends once went to a wedding (she was maid of honour) and took her printer and laptop with her. once she had snapped the first kiss she quickly printed out the photo, stuck it in a frame and placed it on the head table!
the newlyweds said it was one of the best gifts they had ever had!

Tenyearstogo

I hate photo frames as a gift. Totally lacks imagination.

I think a frame is a very individual choice and has to match the photograph. Some people don't even like having photographs on display. It's like choosing an ornament or a painting.

I got loads when I got married as we said no gifts. People got most offended when I didn't have them on display.