"When You Receive Wedding Gifts from Guests: Do You Think No Return Gift is Necessary Since You're Already Giving Favors?"

2019.01.21 published

When you receive wedding gifts, be sure to return the favor ♩

It's good manners to reciprocate when you receive a celebratory gift＊

During engagements, registrations, and wedding receptions, it's common to hear, "Congratulations! This is a gift for you!" So make sure to prepare a proper return gift and express your gratitude with, "Thank you, I was very happy!"

Whether it's a wedding or a baby gift, the general rule for "returns" is typically "half the value" of what you received.

(As the saying goes, "Even in close friendships, there is courtesy," giving thanks among friends shows good consideration! Even a 500 yen cookie or a 1000 yen cosmetic can convey appreciation.)

Ideally, you should make the return as soon as possible to avoid forgetting it◎

What if you receive additional gifts from guests at your wedding??

It is customary to return a gift when you receive a wedding gift, but occasionally, you might hear someone say this:

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"I received a wedding gift from someone who came to my wedding!! They also got a gift from the party, so it's okay not to reciprocate, right?"

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Indeed, you have given a wedding favor, but...

Is it really acceptable to not return a wedding gift?

[Answer] Absolutely not!

The correct answer is, as expected, "Even if you have given a wedding favor, a wedding gift is still necessary!"

The fact is that at your wedding, you received monetary gifts as congratulations,

and the "wedding favors" are considered a return for those congratulatory gifts.

So if you receive a "wedding gift" separate from the monetary gifts on the wedding day, it is appropriate to properly return it in addition to the wedding favors.

When you receive a wedding gift:

☑ Within 1 to 2 months

☑ Aim for half of the gift's value or item

Make sure to send a return gift＊

Additionally, depending on your relationship with the giver, the following responses are also acceptable!

Here are examples from experienced brides＊

[Example 1]

I received a cutlery set (about 3,000 yen) as a wedding gift from a friend who came to my wedding.

Normally, I should return the favor, but since we are close friends, I decided to skip the formal return and instead upgraded the souvenir from our honeymoon.

I handed it over saying, "This is also a thank-you for your gift."

I plan to do the same when my friend gets married.

[Example 2]

I received a pair of glasses (about 5,000 yen) as a wedding gift from three colleagues who came to my wedding.

Since a return would end up being about 1,500 yen for each person, I decided not to give a return gift and instead hosted a home party after the wedding.

I served homemade dishes and my colleagues’ favorite drinks, and in the end, I gave them a small token of sweets worth about 1,000 yen.

[Example 3]

I received a restaurant pair ticket (worth about 20,000 yen) as a wedding gift from my boss who attended my wedding. Even though my boss insisted many times that a return was unnecessary,

I felt hesitant to give a material return, so I upgraded the catalog gift for the wedding favors and added my boss's favorite sake to it.

When you receive a gift, be sure to reciprocate!

Sometimes brides think, "Since I'm giving wedding favors, I don't need to return wedding gifts," but be careful with that mindset!

"Wedding favors are a thank-you for the monetary gift."

If you received a separate wedding gift, make sure to properly attach a thank-you note and return half the value.

Depending on your relationship, failing to do so might lead to gossips like,

"She is so inconsiderate!"

Please be cautious!