My friends are getting married and I'm broke. What should I get them?
56%
Offer to take them out for dinner post-honeymoon.
- Claire Griffin, 28, from Charleston, SC
"or like take a picture of the bench where he proposed and frame it. Thoughtful AND thrifty." - Nancy Spruiell, 43, from New York, NY
"or make them a romantic dinner that you serve them :)... give them space and allow them to enjoy it" - Yisell Muxo, 35, from Miami, FL
"and a card" - Kate Sample, 31, from Chicago, IL
"Invite them over for dinner at your place." - Rosie Dehoyos, 29, from Dallas, TX
"Special Congrats is so nice." - Paula L, 28, from Miami, Florida
"Better than a card." - Danielle L, 26, from Chicago, IL
"Dinner is a nice gesture and so much more personal than a gift-wrapped box." - Greta Eagan, 30, from New York, NY
"Better yet, cook them dins at yours. It is sweet and builds the friendship." - Vida James, 28, from New York, NY
"Or make them something arty." - Ashley Hayes, 24, from Los Angeles, CA
"Anything special, just let them know how happy you are for them." - Jennifer Beio, 26, from Chicago, IL
"Dinner and company is a great gift." - Ann Dang, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Dinner is always good to catch up." - Veronica Cheung, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Home cooking is cheap but always good." - Shannon Harknett, 24, from New Orleans, LA
"If they're your true friends they won't care." - Alison Dichter, 31, from New York, NY
"You have to get something. Taking them to a nice dinner is thoughtful and won't break the bank." - Mercedes Tahir, 23, from New York, NY
"Aren't you allowed to give marrieds gifts up to like a year after the wedding? Cop-out!" - Jessi Odenbach, 28, from Chicago, IL
"They'll appreciate the continued celebration." - Doris Parker, 27, from Springfield, MA
"Best answer ever! I couldn't have picked one better myself. This def buys you time!" - Luana Suciu, 25, from Boston, MA
"They will be very tired and eat less." - Elise Stiller, 36, from Seaford, NY
"Nothing says lovin' like somethin' from the oven!" - Kate Bailey, 26, from Chicago, IL
"Or cooking for them would be fun and inexpensive." - Wendy Liu, 23, from Alhambra, CA
"Buys you time to sum up the cash!" - Sara Jagodzinski, 24, from Carol Stream, IL
"They will appreciate the gesture." - Monique Lewis, 31, from New York, NY
"Shows you care" - Emily Pelton, 29, from Brooklyn, NY
"You absolutely have to give something. If you're broke, get creative." - Sara Koch, 30, from Youngstown, OH
"At least it's something..." - Sherika Mair, 29, from West Palm Beach, FL
"They will think 'oh how nice' and it gives you some time to get some money together." - Jill Hanner, 34, from Astoria, NY
"I would be honest with them and see what they would say." - Vicky K, 25, from Chino Hills, CA
"They should know your situation to begin with." - Heather Callan, 25, from Chicago, IL
"Taking them out means you get to spend time with them." - Nadia Reiman, 28, from Brooklyn, NY
"One of my friends just hired vegan chef to come cook for a vegan couple he knew. It's a nice gift." - Julienne Irons, 27, from Los Angeles, CA
"And give them the card. They will understand." - Marisa Zupan, 27, from Brooklyn, NY
"Good food, good drinks, good friends—better than most presents, I'd say." - Claire Watkins, 25, from Santa Cruz, CA
"No shame in that." - Emily Woolf, 26, from Brooklyn, NY
"Save up some money and get ready to be the third wheel." - Johanna Beyenbach, 29, from New York, NY
"Everyone seems to get married in waves, which can drain your account quickly." - Marianna Branda, 23, from Miami, FL
"It's the least you can do." - Sara Bour, 23, from Urbana, IL
"You should definitely treat them to something when you are able to." - Shelby Kovant, 25, from New York, NY
"Tough one: I'd do something more than a card but still thoughtful on a budget." - Frankie Robinson, 36, from Chicago, IL
"Something (explanation) is better than nothing!" - Christina Johnson, 31, from New York, NY
"Plus the handwritten card." - Allison Baxley, 29, from New York, NY
"A nice dinner." - Lauren McHenry, 26, from Dallas, TX
"It's relatively cheap but shows that you want to do something and spend time with them." - Nicole Laws, 30, from Fort Lauderdale, FL
"A real friend wants you at the wedding, not just a gift." - Shelly Kaplan, 28, from Chicago, IL
"As long as it's in your budget." - Shelby Kovant, 25, from New York, NY
"Tough one: I'd do something more than a card but still thoughtful on a budget." - Theresa G, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"This one always works. As long as you're a man of your word." - Dominique Vance, 23, from New York, NY
"Usually people understand. Dinner doesn't have to be crazy, plus they get to spend time with you." - Miki Taka, 27, from Columbus, OH
"Or, get them a gift certificate." - Jacquelyn Tillotson, 31, from Miami Beach, FL
"They spent a lot of money to invite you. Do something when you can afford to." - Kate DAlleva, 25, from Morristown, NJ
"Including a card would be a good idea. Maybe a bottle of something too?" - Cat Davis, 25, from New York, NY
"They'll appreciate the gesture." - Grace Hsieh, 22, from San Diego, CA
"Depends how close you guys are." - Pienby Laurence, 25, from Jersey City, NJ
"Your friends probably know you're broke. Also, spending time with your friends is more valuable." - Kylan Conroy, 24, from Chicago, IL
"These are tough times, a little thought and effort should be enough!" - Miana DeGardeyn, 33, from Chicago, IL
"A card may get lost in the wedding craziness; catching up is a great way to celebrate their new life" - Jessica Angst, 23, from Palm Beach, FL
"Do your best. Remember they will be at your wedding too!" - Laura Lefkowitz, 35, from New York, NY
"Your friends love you for who you are and *should* understand." - Gina Kim, 24, from San Diego, CA
"Yeah, a card's cute... but it's still. a card. Take them to dinner. Celebrate them however you can." - Kristin Castro, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"The dinner better be good!" - Jenna E, 32, from Davenport, IA
"My friends would totally love this gesture." - Genevieve Melzer, 27, from San Francisco, CA
"They will understand if their true friends...try to make it up to them somehow." - Amy Liu, 23, from San Diego, CA
"Sometimes a handwritten card doesn't mean much, but a dinner might." - Christine Behrens, 24, from Oakland, CA
"They'll feel good at the time and if you're still broke you can keep postponing." - Grace Kang, 29, from Los Angeles, CA
"Don't be a cheapskate and take them out!" - Dominique Jackson, 29, from Los Angeles, CA
"Double date!" - Jen Gsell, 29, from Reston, VA
"Your friends are inviting you to their wedding because they want you there. Not your presents." - Tiffany Clarke, 25, from richmond, ca
"Guess that works." - Jackie Rivera, 25, from Miami, FL
"Effort is the key to any present. Shows you care." - Britt Ancell, 26, from New York, NY
"Nothing classier than dinner + good convo." - Amber Sellers, 33, from Brooklyn, NY
"Save up for some place nice." - Angela H, 0, from North, CA
"A gift that you all can enjoy."
19%
If you’re under 25, ask your parents for some gift money.
- Kimone Campbell, 27, from Palm Beach, FL
"clearance" - Rachel U, 26, from New York, NY
"Mom will hopefully oblige." - Amy S., 25, from Chicago, IL
"If your parents can afford to help you—see if you can come up with something between the team." - Mekalia Reid, 27, from New York, NY
"No matter how broke you are, if you are going to the wedding, make sure you bring a gift." - Sandy Tragos, 32, from Chicago, IL
"You have a year to get them a gift, so don't sweat it." - Molly Millett, 23, from San Francisco, CA
"If they are there and offering, accept!" - Ashley Potter, 26, from Milwaukee, WI
"You can always pay your parents back." - Stephanie Singer, 30, from New York, NY
"People should not be getting married under 25! :)" - Jessica Barrutia, 24, from Chicago, IL
"If you do not have enough money for a wedding then you do not have enough money to bring a date." - Jessica G, 25, from Boca Raton, FL
"I am sure they'll understand! :)" - Anna Bykova, 23, from San Francisco, CA
"Anyway you should present them something for memory." - Susie Jones, 29, from Naples, Fl
"You have to give something. Get them a picture frame if nothing else." - Jennifer Manghisi, 27, from New York, NY
"That's what Mom and Dad are there for." - Justine Bour, 26, from Chicago, IL
"If you are over 25, then I think it's time to get a second job." - Katrina Robinson, 28, from Charleston, SC
"That's what parents are for!" - Elinor N, 23, from New York, NY
"It depends on how close you are with them." - Krissy P, 25, from NJ
"You can always pay them back!" - Kate Cohen, 27, from Syosset, NY
"Poor taste if you blow them off." - Jennifer Manghisi, 27, from New York, NY
"That's what Mom and Dad are there for." - Deborah Lau, 23, from La Jolla, CA
"It's okay to borrow money ONCE in awhile, but don't forget to pay back!!" - Kelly Kaems, 30, from Kew Gardens, NY
"It's the thought that counts - but that post-honeymoon dinner will never happen." - Vicky Kuo, 24, from San Diego, CA
"You gotta get them something if they're a good friend." - Karoline D'Angola, 24, from Bernardsville, NJ
"Get them something tangible." - Kelly Magsayo, 23, from La Jolla, CA
"Better than nothing!" - Karoline D'Angola, 24, from Bernardsville, NJ
"Get them something tangible."
25%
A handwritten card shows that you care.
- Deeana Lowe-Chin, 24, from Miami, FL
"It wouldn't hurt to slip a $25 or $50 gift card to a home store in there though." - Samantha Conniff, 24, from Brooklyn, NY
"They'll understand...it shouldn't be all about money anyway." - Ashley Woolley, 25, from Chicago, IL
"This is an emotional time for them-sentiments mean much more than flatware they'll never use." - Vanessa Jeong, 28, from San Leandro, CA
"Just remember to make up for it when the cash flow is back." - Renee Lucas, 30, from New York, NY
"And hopefully in the future you can get them something nice. But for now, your friendship will do." - Jolene R, 24, from San Francisco, CA
"Restaurant gift certificate for a dinner." - Rosalind Sun, 23, from San Diego, CA
"It's all about the effort." - Kira Wilkinson, 27, from Washington, DC
"If they know you are broke, hey should understand." - Erika Thomas, 25, from Miami, FL
"I love the idea of group gifts. Unless your friends are older, they know everyone's tight on cash." - Elizabeth Fenwick, 23, from Berkeley, CA
"If they are good friends, they will understand." - Sarah Conrad, 27, from New York, NY
"It's always the thought that counts." - Rachel U, 26, from New York, NY
"Write that you will make it up to them on their first anniversary." - Schuyler Pham, 24, from Brooklyn, NY
"You just need to win the bride over. A thoughtful card will probably win brownie points." - Tiffany Davis, 32, from San Diego, CA
"A card is better than nothing if you are broke." - Anne C, 24, from Miami, FL
"Quality over quantity. A handwritten card with a meaningful message, just means so much to me." - Alicia Cohen, 37, from New York, NY
"I'd send a lovely thoughtful note with an offer to make them dinner post honeymoon." - Francesca Lacuesta, 29, from Sacramento, CA
"We're all broke. It's a gift in itself that you showed up." - Brittany Caudle, 25, from New York, NY
"Something from the heart.. priceless." - Priya Massand, 30, from Flushing, NY
"Just pretend you sent the gift and it got lost in the mail..." - Whitney R, 25, from Princeton, NJ
"Thoughtful things count more than expensive things." - Maya Calaway, 24, from Boston, MA
"You can always do something for them later, a card with your thoughts means a lot." - Ashley Becker, 26, from New York, NY and Miami, FL
"Do what you can, don't go overboard, they will understand." - Vicky Chivy, 26, from San Diego, CA
"Sentimental" - Erika San Miguel, 32, from Larkspur, CA
"It's the thought that counts. Buy them a gift when you've hit it rich!" - Carly Twisselman, 25, from Los Angeles, CA
"Give them a card and then take them out for dinner when they get back." - Nora Lahl, 31, from Milwaukee, WI
"A token of friendship is worth way more than a toaster." - Rebecca Nashleanas, 25, from Los Angeles, CA
"Handmade gifts cost very little but mean a lot because of the time and effort." - Senait Mengstab, 30, from San Francisco, CA
"If you are broke, you're broke!" - Regina Melzer, 32, from Los Angeles, CA
"Something handmade with sentimentality gets a lot of mileage." - Lisa Miao, 27, from New York, NY
"People always appreciate the gift that took thought and care over the one that cost a lot." - JoAnna Di Tullio, 24, from Boston, MA
"Friendship and support are gold." - Becca Schepps, 29, from Brooklyn, NY
"If they're friends they'll understand."