"No Boxed Gifts Please"-UPDATE

[sariana]

DH received an invitation to a colleague's wedding reception only (not the ceremony), and there is an enclosed card that says "NO BOXED GIFTS PLEASE." What does this mean? Does it mean they want only gift cards? Or does it simply mean don't bring gifts to the reception (which people aren't supposed to do anyway)? Or does it mean they want things only off their registry (assuming they have one--I wasn't able to find them on The Knot)? Or are they trying to save the environment?

Any thoughts?

ETA: DH e-mailed the groom. Groom wrote back that they don't know their living situation and didn't register. They would appreciate donations to their "good start at married life" fund or something like that. So, yeah, they just want money. I personally don't have a problem with this. I don't like it when people think they know what people want and ignore registries because they knew the "perfect" gift. Um, if it was the perfect gift, it would have been on the registry. I love registries; I never know what to get people.

Anyway, DH doesn't want to give cash (I'm not sure why--the way he was reared, I think), so I'm not sure what we're going to do.

[baymom]

I think it means they want a check or gift cards....nothing that comes in a 'box'. It is different from 'no gifts please'--they do expect a gift. We've been invited to receptions with the same request, as well. Tacky, IMO.

[katydid1971]

I looked it up online and I guess it means bring cash. It seems a tad rude to me but different strokes for different folks.

[nov04]

Sounds like they want money or gift cards. I'd be a little surprised to receive an invite like that.

[MMMommy]

Play dumb and put the gift in a bag!

[ett]

Wow. That's pretty tacky.

[katydid1971]

I did a little more goggling on this and came across an idea of giving to a charity in their name. May I suggest "The Human Fund" ala George on Seinfeld.

[Staraglimmer]

wow! That's rude IMHO. It sounds like, we want your money. We don't want anything that you pick out, but please pay us to come to our wedding. wierd, I'd bring nothing. Although, I like the bag idea

[kijip]

A tad tacky? That is un-freaking-believably RUDE.

I agree. Buy them a present and throw it in a bag.

[MontrealMum]

I agree that that is odd. And really like the charity gift idea

When I moved up here I was confronted with different cultural customs than I was used to regarding weddings. For example, some cultural communities expect money as gifts, to be given at the reception. However, this is something that everyone just *knows* and is NEVER mentioned on the invite - however obliquely. That, I don't have a problem with.

But your "non-boxed gifts" - unless someone can explain that better it's not something I'm on board with.