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I have recently gotten married and in doing so I realize I have a lot to learn especially when it comes to gifting etiqu

Answered 4 years ago

I have recently gotten married and in doing so I realize I have a lot to learn especially when it comes to gifting etiquette my husbands family is quite well off and so is my now husband.

I need advice and guidance on how much to gift or spend for different occasions specifically birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Fathers Day. Weddings, bridal showers and or bus parties as well as baby showers.

The people that need to be bought for are parents, siblings, niece and nephews, as well as friends.


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ANSWER
4 years ago
I’d go all out and buy something very nice and of good quality. Don’t focus on the money, just choose something tasteful from a higher end brand. I.e., for a baby shower I’d get an outfit from Purebaby or Country Road. If you have the money and can afford it, it’s better to err on the side of caution and buy something a bit more rather than a bit less. After a little while you will see what everyone else tends to buy and will be able to set a budget accordingly.

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REPLY
4 years ago
You’re brand snob

ANSWER
4 years ago
I have grown up in a family like this and this is a budget I follow.

Christmas is $50 per child $100 per Adult
Wedding distant relative or co-worker$75-$100, friend or relative, $100-$125, a closer relative, up to $150.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day $60-$100
Christenings ect $50 unless you are God parent then between $100-$150
birthdays, $20-$25 for a co-worker or acquaintance, $50 for a close friend, or $100 for a best friend or family member.
Bridal shower ect, Regular friends, co-workers, or distant family members $75,Close friends or family members $75 $150

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4 years ago
I follow a similar guide however for us weddings and christenings are way more. Christenings $150-$250. And weddings minimum $200 + .. if it’s really really close family members it’s way more. My brothers and uncles aunties all gave me between 500-1000 for our wedding

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4 years ago
A friend of mine always tries to cover at least what she thinks the bride and groom might pay per head at a wedding

ANSWER
4 years ago
Why is it your job to buy your husband's family gifts? Surely it's his job... Do you expect him to buy gifts for your family?

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4 years ago
My ex never bought anything and i airways did because my family always do cards and gifts etc. So when we split up and he forgot mothers day and his mums birthday, his dad was abusing him over the phone about how disrespectful it was and how shit he made his mum feel.
I can't decide if i was annoyed that they actually thought their son was that thoughtful, and had no idea it was me, or if it was just another little thing i went out of my way to do that my ex didn't appreciates.

REPLY
4 years ago
Because it is seen as a women’s job my hubby I am happy to take on the responsibility I would just like advice on what is reasonable to spend

REPLY
4 years ago
These stupid gender stereotypes annoy me so much

ANSWER
4 years ago
That’s a cop out hubby has to step up just a little bit. I too come from a similar wog background where gifts are usually more expensive etc and I do all the gift buying it’s seen as the females job. I can still however ask him what he thinks or to give me a ball mark $ amount if it relates to his friends or family members. Your hubby has been babied long enough and should have the balls to ask his mum for some help once a twice or his sisters. How hard is it to say hey mum or sister how much are you giving this person for their wedding. At least once so from then on you have an idea. From the sounds of it your not from the culture as them so it’s the least he can do for you as you are embracing their culture and wanting to do right by them

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4 years ago
I have spoken to him about it and he did broach the subject with his mum and her response was it is just something you know, so the answer wasn’t helpful to me as I don’t know

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4 years ago
Her answer was to put it bluntly shit. He needs to push her a bit more and say it’s not good enough. If she can’t discuss something like that with her son then something is wrong. Your not asking to see her account details just a figure for a present. She’s setting you up to fail in a way. I am sorry for that. It’s not just something you know how did she know how do her daughters know I’m sure she would have at some point in their life discussed it with them. You usually copy your parents habits so her daughters would have seen from her.

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4 years ago
Or tell your husband for now you want help from him as you don’t want to look like a tightarse and embarrass both of you. Your a couple now it’s from both of you it represents both of you. I’m sorry if I sound harsh I just feel like none of them are really even trying to support you a little bit and you are trying to do right by them. And over a simple thing like gift giving.

REPLY
4 years ago
Exactly!

ANSWER
4 years ago
Some European families can be a bit showy, just bear that in mind.

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4 years ago
Thanks I still like a idea on what to spend I have always been a budgeter and always will so need a idea

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4 years ago
I'm thinking high quality products with brand names would be suitable for this family!

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4 years ago
I am thinking some people are snobs

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4 years ago
See what other people From the family buy them as a guide

ANSWER
4 years ago
You are married now but what did you do before when you guys were dating engaged etc what did his family give you for Xmas or birthdays that should give you a rough idea on how much they spend on things. You don’t have to discuss exact amounts but I find it a bit disrespectful that you’ve approached them for help on this as a newbie to the family and they have shut you down completely.

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4 years ago
Well I don’t celebrate my birthday or Christmas due to personal reasons and have asked them to respect that which they have, in terms of gauging the situation going by what they gift others I am not good st gauging price hence asking for a suggestion on what to spend for each occasion

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4 years ago
Have you recognised anything they’ve given each other than can do a google search on similar product?

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4 years ago
^ Good idea. I buy alot of my gifts from listening to what other people say. Ooh I like this or I like that. It's so much easier

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4 years ago
If things were that simple I would be laughing they don’t exactly say they like anything in particular and as stated his sisters barley speak to me

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4 years ago
Have u seen them gift each other anything in the time you’ve been with their brother/son

ANSWER
4 years ago
Have you considered a sideways step in the gift giving process and gifting a heartfelt gift instead? I mean, rather than say, a diamond tennis bracelet, maybe a photo keyring of the person (whether with you or as part of a family shot)? Something that money can't buy.
Your husband really should be the one to handle this, or at least help you until you get the hang of it (I know how stubborn wog boys can be - "iTs YoUr JoB tO dO tHe ShOpPiNg iTs A wOmAnS jOb!"). He's known these people all his life, he can hold your hand and advise you whether X is appropriate.

Or deliberately give simple unassuming gifts and make it an endearing trait. ie "why did she give his mother in law a coffee mug" - teehee woopsie doo who else but Quagmire (but with your name)

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4 years ago
You have hit the nail on the head being a wig there are certain things that are considered a women’s job and this is one of them. No matter what I gift anyone I always put thought into it but at same time I don’t want to offend by underspending and seeming rude

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4 years ago
That's fair. If your hubby won't help, ask him for a budget for the gift. Then, if someone gets offended because it's not in the "correct" price range, you can say "dude only gave me $X 🙆"

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4 years ago
^ that doesn’t work though . We are expected to just know the right amount or right gift. We can’t blame him then it will be “ oh she can’t even buy a present “. Everything is judged. It’s a pain. In the end really there will never be a right or correct present or dollar amount

ANSWER
4 years ago
Write down in a little book what you receive for engagement wedding births christenings etc and you will see how much each person spends. I usually give back the same amount or there abouts, sometimes it changes as sometimes that person might not get married or have kids for yrs and you may not be as close anymore so adjust accordingly.

ANSWER
4 years ago
I don't have much experience (none) with wealthy Greek or Italian families, but would buying an experience be better than an actual gift? Like a weekend away, or wine tour? Teenage scuba/snorkeling session at your closest seaworld type place? Zoo pass for kids? Pamper spa day?
You could spend the money so it wouldn't look cheap but you could also very thoughtfully choose an experience relevant to the interests of the person you're buying for?

ANSWER
4 years ago
Glad my extended family is not stuck up
We are happy with $5 candle and box of roses choc for example

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4 years ago
Same, but if that's how her in laws have been brought up, they probably won't change their ways, and don't know any other way anyway

ANSWER
4 years ago
Thoughtful gifts are the most expensive in that it takes your time and effort to find. Money is nothing I wouldn’t be looking what costs the most but what means the most to that person- unless of course you are buying for a teenager.

ANSWER
4 years ago
I find the more wealthy people are, the stingier they are on gifts. You'll just have to feel out what kind of people they are.

ANSWER
4 years ago
We're not really wealthy or anything, but I generally allow $50 per adult and about $20-30 per child (we only have 2 nieces, and only buy gifts for our parents and my brother in law and his wife for Christmas). However if I find something that I know they will love and it's more than I'll still buy it (within reason), and sometimes things are cheaper. So really it's more about finding something I know they will use/treasure than how much I spend.

ANSWER
4 years ago
How about when these occasions arise. You and hubby go shopping together, since it’s his family he will have an idea of gift suggestions and appropriate amount to spend. Once you do this a few times you’ll get the hang of it and won’t need “guidance” anymore.
I’d like to know why money is not to be spoken of? Is this money/wealth a result of criminal activities. Have you just married into the mafia? All seems a bit suss to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

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REPLY
4 years ago
Lots of families don't discuss money. My mothers family is considered "old money" (definitely not mafia or criminals), we never discuss finances unless it's in relation to what could be a good investment. I found it rude af when I met my now husband and his family is so open about this stuff.

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4 years ago
I totally agree and understand and not the type to bring up the conversation surrounding money, I still would like a idea or to be pointed I believe the right direction for a resource to assist me in working out roughly how much to spend

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4 years ago
Definitely not the case it is just how the family is I am sure I’m other families there are certain subjects that arnt talked about it is the same about money for them. My husband isn’t any help as I said his mum was the one to do all this type of stuff I was just hoping for some guidance not judgment

ANSWER
4 years ago
Perhaps a conversation to have with your mother in law as a way to get closer to her also? What nationality are the family? How wealthy?

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4 years ago
They are Greek and Italian, we are relatively close but it has been made clear to me that money isn’t something that is talked about. So I do not feel comfortable in speaking to her about such things

REPLY
4 years ago
Maybe ask for gift ideas when occasions arise. Let her know that you would really appreciate her advice as hubby said she is the queen of gift giving (compliments to her gift giving)

ANSWER
4 years ago
Ask hubby

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4 years ago
I have and he says he dosent know as apparently it is a female thing meaning his mum took car of it so really need advice, asking his siblings isn’t a option either as they won’t talk despite me trying

REPLY
4 years ago
Bugger. You have a very tough job on your hands babe. Congrats on your marriage though. I hope you both have a long & wonderful life together ❤

ANSWER
4 years ago
The previous reply is very good advise. Try to work out what sort of presents these people will really appreciate, and don't get involved in buying expensive gifts if they are not going to be treasured. Sometimes, people are happier to receive something that you have made yourself, maybe homemade jam or chutney, or arts and crafts if that is your scene. If they are so well off, they probably don't need any more unwanted stuff that just gathers dust. Don't be frightened to ask the family. They would prefer to receive something they like, than something that is going to make them feel like you just bought a gift because you had plenty of money.

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4 years ago
Thanks I have tried to bring such things up but have been told it isn’t something that is talked about it is just known. So for me I am happy to buy gift ect I just need to know what would be deemend as reasonable given the circumstances