Northern Cal, socially clueful folk? :)

[thistlechaser]

Since I have the social skills of a large rock, I'm looking for a bit of advice:

A co worker is getting married. While he's not a member of our work-group, he's as close as you can get to it without being one. I work with him on a weekly basis, and our desks are next to each other. I like him (as a co worker and a person, but we don't go and hang out after work or do anything outside the job).

He's getting married. While I'm not invited to the wedding, I'm invited to a ... I guess dinner? To some sort of wedding-related social thing for friends and co workers not invited to the wedding.

While I like the guy, I'm not going. I'm assuming since I was invited that I should send a "gift" (check). My question is, how much would be a good gift? Because I like him and work with him on a regular basis, I do *not* want to look cheap. I was thinking $50? Anyone have an opinion on that sounding high, low, or okay? (I specify northern California because everything's more expensive here, so I'm assuming gifts would be larger as well.)

Comments

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

I asked my sister (who attends an insane number of work-related wedding events) this question and she provided me with a complete breakdown of what's monetarily appropriate for all the varying degrees of friends, acquaintances, coworkers you like, coworkers you don't like, etc. etc.

She says $50 is more than adequate for the social scenario you described. (And I can vouch for the fact that she errs on the generous side of gift-giving.) Hope that helps!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks! (It's so great having good/smart/helpful LJ friends!) Now I just have to go out and find a nice card...