Opinions please...

A few days ago, I posted about getting shares of stock for members of the wedding party. I still can`t help but think what a unique and different idea this is. However, we don`t have much time if we`re going to order them. As it is, because of the time for delivery, we`d only be safe on going with the Disney stock. Any other choice might take too long. My question is, what is everyone`s opinion on this idea? A share of Disney stock for each member of the wedding party. It comes framed with a personalized plaque. And the recipients would be entitled to dividend checks. http://www.buyoneshare.com We`re having a really hard time thinking of what to get everyone, especially the guys. None of them are into golf, we don`t want to do flasks, zippos, cigar cutters. Mugs have already been done by other recent grooms, as have BBQ utensils. Also, how much is everyone spending on this. One couple we know spent about $40, while another couple we know spent about $100. We really don't want to get them something they won't use, and most of the things that are for engraving seem to be stuff most people won't use.

Opinions please...

I think it is a great idea. An alternative could be a gift certificate to a popular store like the gap. Or you could buy tickets for each to some event they like. Some give baseball tickets. I gave the bridemaids a massage and their jewlry a picture frame (for the bridal party picture they will each receive). Hope that helps. My FH is undecided on the groomsmen's gifts I am going to pass your idea along to him.

Opinions please...

I agree that its unique and novel but not very useful for a few reasons: 1- If your BM/GM don't already have a brokerage account, they would have to open one to sell it. The fee for selling it would make it worthless. 2- It looks like you would be spending close to $100 (w/ shipping) to buy one share of stock. Disney is currently trading at 25.45 dollars a share - so you are really just buying an expensive frame. If you don't want to get them something useless, why not get them $100 American Express vouchers or gift certificates to their favorite store.

True, but...

Let me start off by staying I`m not a stock market wiz, but I always thought stocks were sold in bulks of 100 shares, and whenever you broke it up to buy in some other amount, there were some type of 'penalties' in the form of excess fees. Plus, of course, you would expect to pay decent money for a nice matte, frame and plaque. Second, these stocks weren`t being bought with they idea the recipients would turn around and sell it. My thought was it`d be a cute little conversation piece, with (hopefully) a dividend check each year. Thanks for the opinions, I really appreciate it. I`m trying to get an idea from everyone here if maybe our party will think it`s a corny gift. More opinions???

You're right...

You are right, stocks are purchased in 'lots' of 100 shares but you can purchase odd lots from most brokers (who can afford to get 100 shares anymore?) :) Definetely a conversation piece and unique. I just think its a bit too expensive. If I were a bridesmaid, I'd prefer something more sentimental..but thats just me!

I agree with Sonicstef

The dividend check for one share of stock would only be a few cents. While I think its a cute unique idea - you'd be better off buying $100 worth of a stock that interests them rather then spending the majority of the money on a frame, etc. Not everyone would want to hang it up anyway. Odd lots can be purchased almost anywhere, though you will incur costs to buy them. Etrade, Schwab, etc.

My FI got a sportsbag and uses it!!!

Not sure if this will help but a couple of years ago my FI was in his buddy's wedding and was given a really nice, pretty large sportsbag as a gift. He uses it all the time for overnight stays at my parents and long weekends. It came in realy useful. It's a really nice bag, lots of pockets, I'm guessing probably about $40 - something a guy definitely wouldn't buy for himself!

I guess that's part of the problem...

I don't know how much we're supposed to spend. One wedding party my fiance was in spent about $40, which I thought was appropriate. But a recent wedding, they spent about $100, which I thought was a bit much. But maybe I'm wrong?

I'm sure this has been said many times but...

We too had a hard time coming up with something for the guys... we went to Tiffany's (they have a lot of ideas) we went with the silver money clips - I think guys do use them (I have seem the one's we gave used) it's just something that guys don't go out and buy. Plus it's something that they will always have unless lost. I like the gifts that people keep. I bought the girls earrings - I know it's not unique but the old traditional ideas are always good and that's why they stay around. I went to a 25th anniversary about 6 months ago (and the girls that were in the wedding party were given gold pins) they all wore them to the party... I thought that was so nice. I have been in 6 weddings and I was always given a piece of jewerly and each piece is very special to me (and I always loved opening the box) and it was Jewerly! I think it's a great gift. In fact today I am wearing a silver heart necklace from Tiffnay's that I received 2 years ago. (See it's a gift people appreciate) Good Luck!

Im spending....

at least $200 on my MOH which will include some day spa stuff and a nice gift b/c she will be spending lots of money and time on showers, dresses, helping with everything etc.. Will probably spend about $100 on the bridesmaids.

I`m sure this has been said many times but...

Spend wat you can afford - there are no rules for this. Wedding party gifts are ment to be a remeberance of the day. They need not cost a fortune. We went with the classics: necklace and bracelet for the ladies, charm braclets for the flowergirls and pocketwatches for the guys.

I spent about

$170 on maid of honors (earrings and hats) $110 on bridesmaids (bracelet's and hats) $70 on the moneyclips and $150 for best men (watches) But... I think $50.00 is a very good price - it depends on what you have to spend. I have been given a gift that costs $50 or $150 (they both say the same thing) thank you for being part of our wedding. Spend what you can...

I agree with Sonicstef too...

I was just about to write that Harley is at 48.00, how do they justify over $100.00? Great idea though! I actually did the same thing (through my broker) for my FI a couple of Christmases ago. Everyone would think it was a neat idea, but its way overpriced.

Fran - Where can I find the pocketwatches? *NM*

Kate - pocketwatches? ThingsRemembered Roosevelt Field *NM*

here is another idea

One of my friends gave each BM a gift certificate to Victoria's Secrets, earrings and a book that she chose. There is a great book The Friendship Cake which you could give with an engraved silver plated bookmark. The guys...that is never easy. How about giving a gift certificate to a steak house. Plus you could give each one a DVD or CD. I don't think the guys are really sentimental about this stuff. You can also do manicure/pedicure gift certs. so that they can have their names done before the wedding. Hope the ideas help.

How about silver cuff links and studs for the guys?

I don't think my bridal party would really like the stock gift. I haven't made a final decision on any gifts yet, but was thinking about silver cuff links and studs for the guys. They could then wear them for the wedding. Also Mets box seat tickets (FI got them for free from his job) for a game. For the girls...jewelry is always remembered and worn again. Good luck and keep us posted on what you choose.

sports watches

i got my bridesmaids a triple tear drop necklace from tiffany`s ($130)....my maids of honors (my sisters) are getting the necklace plus a massage at a salon the day before the wedding...my fiance is getting the guys sports watches....nike has nice one for b/w $75-100......g-shock also has nice ones....good luck!

Opinions please...

There is no ideal amount to spend. It really matters what you can afford and how many people are in your wedding party. We are only having a small wedding party, so we can spend more than if we had 6-10 people on each side. I got the girls necklaces from Tiffany's and evening bags. Fiance is getting the guys a pair of Celtic tickets each because they both live in Mass. and are huge fans. Every guy I know loves the sports tickets idea, but if they are all from NY it's really hard because it's impossible to get Knicks/Giants/Jets tickets! I liked the Steak house gift certificate idea too, most guys don't really care about sentimental memoribilia! Also, if they're close enough to you to be in your wedding then you should really know what they would love, so go with your gut!

SC: How much were the Tiffany necklaces? *NM*