As I get older, weddings are few and far between. Throughout most of my adult life, the gift has always been a wedding card with a check inside. I’m attending a wedding tomorrow, and cannot find my checkbook (since it is so rarely used these days). I think cash in the envelope is a bit gauche, so was thinking an Amazon gift card. Would love to get some opinions on this.
Unless you know their politics are pretty far on the left and ‘Amazon is the evil!!’, I’d definitely do it.
I’d have no complaints receiving one. The couple could use it one endless things.
Some people continue to think gift cards are gauche, but they’re becoming more and more acceptable. Particularly this year, when shopping in person can be difficult, giving someone on-line shopping strikes me a good idea. You know these people better than I do, so you’re the one who can determine if these folks will be OK with it.
Ultimately, this. One suggestion: take a look at what kind of stores where the couple set up a gift registry. If it’s Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, an Amazon gift card likely will be well-received (as would a gift card at their chosen store). If it’s at a high-end department store, they may not appreciate the gift card as much.
In the age of COVID, it’s seems like a great option.
I would be delighted to receive an Amazon gift card. It’s thoughtful and can be used for exactly what they need or would like. Go for it!.
My wife and I were married before Amazon was as big as it is now but we did get a lot of Target gift cards. We enjoyed using them to outfit our kitchen and bath.
Thanks everyone! They are definitely not anti-Amazon, so that’s what I’ll do. Now the only challenge is to avoid catching COVID at the wedding.
Definitely okay, but lots of the people whose weddings my kids are going to have registries set up. Look for that first, since it is nice to get something. If not, Amazon gift cards would seem to be the most useful.
Cash is never gauche IMHO. Amazon isn’t bad but I’d prefer cash.
This. Giving a cash gift with a nice card is more personal than an Amazon gift card, and totally isn’t gauche. If it’s someone I know well I’d do the former (or peruse the registry), someone who is just a “friend I’m connected to in a distant way” I’d do the latter.
Miss Manners begs to differ with virtually everyone here.
Miss Manners is aware that many find paying a welcome relief from having to put real effort into performing social duties, such as thinking about what present might please the particular recipient and about returning hospitality. Never mind that thoughtfulness and reciprocation are what these duties are all about, and, indeed, basic pleasures of civilized society.
After all, they reason, how can they go wrong (if only they could get Miss Manners to determine the correct amount)? Who doesn’t like receiving money?
Well, here’s a shock: Many people do not. Some are actually insulted to be paid by their peers. Some are disappointed that people they thought cared about them don’t care enough to think about them. Some just miss the fun of being surprised, delighted or amused by opening pretty packages.
And while they don’t yet realize it, all of them will miss the warm pleasure of living with little things associated with warm relationships.
If there is any warmth behind “OK, how much do I owe?” Miss Manners has missed it.
Nah, eff Miss Manners and her pretty packages. This is 2020. No amount of beautiful flatware or crystal ashtray is going to pay the rent.
My favorite gift we received at our wedding was a card with two $100 bills in it. Scrawled inside was “We had a great time at your wedding.” I wonder how much it would have contained if they hadn’t had a great time.
Why amazon? Gift them a visa or MasterCard Where they can use it anyway they want. I’d be put off by an amazon card, make it cash or a one size fits all purchases bank card.
I like Amazon cards because once you enter the gift card number on the site, it gets added to your gift card balance and the card itself is no longer needed. No danger of losing the card.
…and another thing to consider you’ve stuck the recipient with a limited okay unlimited choice of stuff, and things they could purchase from Amazon. Newlyweds are seeking experiences imo, the cash card can buy the salon treatment, 9 holes of golf with a cart, a damn fine bottle of wine. If you use cash, it must be new and crisp!
Even simpler, happier times accepted money as a wedding gift:
You laugh - but that’s exactly what some of my family does. They start with some minimum amount they are going to give, based on their closeness to the bride or groom and possibly an estimate of “how much a plate” the wedding cost - and then the more fun they have, the more money they add. ( or actually, the bigger the check they write- we avoid actual cash because we’ve heard about stolen cash at wedding receptions a few times too many)