poll: if invited to a bridal shower... do you send a gift no matter what?

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Posted by greenfreak

I think it's strange to invite people to your shower that you've met once, or don't really know. I would be embarrassed. Doesn't that look like someone trying to maximize their presents?

I'd rather have a smaller gathering of people I know and love than a room full of strangers who felt obligated to be there.

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No i agree about inviting strangers. Sometimes when i get invited to others showers who i barely know, i feel the same way. But i send a gift anyway.

With bridal showers though... i know with my MOH, i never gave a list. She asked for my wedding guest list a while ago so i'm not sure who she invited. See thats the thing... you can't blame the bride for who was invited unless they threw the shower for themselves, you know? Does that make sense?

I chose other.
I would normally send a gift even if I couldn't go but we were recently invited to a wedding for a couple that we can't stand. We are not going to the wedding and if I was invited to her shower I wouldn't go nor send a gift. There is a situation behind this taht would make more sense if I explained. But I can't so let's just say I normally would except for special circumstances.

well this may sound bad BUT

i have gotten invited to showers for people that I feel i am not close to AT ALL - if i feel like a 'filler' guest then I won't send a gift - basically if i have nothing to do that day and i am STILL not going - then i won't send one

BUT if it is a relative or friend, and the reason I am not going is bc I have something to do or I CAN'T go - then I will send a gift!

I THINK that proper etiquette is that you don't have to send a gift if you don't go to the shower BUT you still send a gift if you don't go to the wedding - i read that on here once

I've never been in a situation where I was invited to be a 'filler' or by someone I didn't know well, so I have no idea if I would decline the invite and send a gift anyway.

So, I guess the answer to the question is thus far I have always given a gift.

I would send a gift it is someone your close to. I don't mean just like your best friend, but someone you see at least once or twice a year! I don't get to see my fathers side of the family that often and when my cousin got married 2 years ago I hadn't seen them since my fathers funeral in 1997! My mom still went to dinner at Christmas time with them, so we were both invited. I sent a present with Mom.
IMO yes you should if you know the person, if its someone you never see or barely know, then it's up to you.