I habitually give postage stamps for wedding gifts. They match everything and never have to be dusted. I don't think you should burn your bridges with next door neighbors but I find cash gifts crass. SURELY they will need postage for the thank you notes they will have to write for all that cash. Perhaps I am terribly catty but I can live with myself easily.

You give what you can afford. And it doesn't have to be a lot , remember it's the thought that counts, not the amount you give.

This would be my solution to this tacky invite! Then take yourself and partner out to dinner on that evening and enjoy yourselves!

This spring I received a graduation invitation for a cousin's daughter who lives in TX. I live in PA & have only seen this child once about 7 yrs. ago. I have never even had a conversation wth this peron, so I sent a graduation card with no $ included.

I frequently give cash for wedding gifts, but have never been asked for $$ in lieu of a toaster or whatever. I've noticed that gift tables at receptions are getting much smaller as the cash gift is very popular here. I quite frankly am offended by the number of invites we get for people we barely know esp graduation announcements. Here the rule seems to be $50 for acquaintance and $100 for good friend or family as wedding gifts.

I would not go, nor would I give them money. That is just very tacky to ask for money. If they don't have a reception they could use that money for a house. Not many people have a house bought for them. I don't think that is a good idea.

I love all these comments. The thought crossed my mind - what about after the house is bought, who's going to make the payments? Another party? BTW, they're already living together.

I agree with the $25 suggestion if I wanted to maintain any sort of cordial relations with neighbors..... So rude to solicit!

Hmmmmmmm.....I thought the purpose of wedding gifts was to help the couple "set up housekeeping". How have we strayed so far. It seems to me that by stating they want money to help them buy a house they have raised the bar on the amount of the monetary "gift" they expect from you. I probably would not send anything.

Oh yeah, they found the verse on the Internet. It gives lots of ways to word invites asking for money. Who woulda guessed. Guess this is the new wave.