[cercis]

I'm pretty cheap. I don't go to a lot of weddings (our friends are all married and family is between ages right now).

When I go to a wedding, I try to shop around to create a basket of stuff for the bride and groom. Stuff I know they will like and that will remind them of special times with me or in their lives.

I figure the most I spend is $50 - which puts together a pretty impressive basket if you shop carefully.

I don't worry about the cost of the plate. What they spend on the wedding is their issue, not mine. If they invite me to the wedding it'd better be because they want me there to witness their special day, not because I might give them a great gift.

Of course, I think the current trend for weddings is pretty shallow. So ...

I thought my cousin's wedding (in October) was perfect. A small chapel and then the reception at their new home. I haven't decided on the gift for her yet. I don't have the time to shop that I need, but I have a year. She, of course, told me several times "just come, don't worry about trying to get a gift on the plane, just bring yourself".