Marriages are made in heaven, but gifting is a dilemma for earthlings

For someone who is a guest at the wedding the food is the best thing to lookout for. Honestly many go to wedding for good food only and most of the time you are not disappointed with the delicacies laid out. But if you are the one getting married, then for you the best part of marriage is the gifts that people get for you.

However, apart from taking various cost-cutting measures, many are skipping marriages to avoid gifting and go to only those weddings where gifts are not received. (Many of you would be definitely smiling and nodding).

A Vashi resident on the condition of anonymity shares her experience at her best friend's wedding recently. "My best friend got married last week and our group decided to gift an expensive cell phone. We are 10 of us in group and each one's share was decent money. Couple of my friends backed out when the amount was mentioned stating that they had some family function. We eventually went ahead and bought the gift, but such a shocking behaviour from close friends was disappointing and hilarious," she says.

In Parsi community, gifting cash is very important. "As our community is small and we give gifts in cash only. The general concept is that you have to gift cash not less than what the host has spent on food for you. It has been a standard for long now and people follow it. Definitely it is not a rule, but is followed by whoever can afford," said a city-based Parsi. With such being the usual thinking one would definitely rethink about going for a wedding.

In another instance, a few people skip weddings where people expect gifts. "From last November, I have decided to attend only those weddings where no gifts are allowed. The only reason being that even though you are not close to the married couple you still have to buy a decent gift for them which will be for nothing less than Rs 750 or so. With so many weddings taking place, you just can't afford to buy gifts in the recession-hit time. So, I find making an excuse and skipping the wedding easier than going to the party," says an 'intelligent' BPO employee.

While those who are smart enough rewrap the gift they got from someone and gift the newly married couple to save money. Economic slowdown shows true colour of people and makes them innovative to look at various cost-cutting techniques. With marriages commercialised so much the motto can be 'skip wedding and save money..!'big show: Marriages are not only about good food, but also giving gifts

Shivani Gala/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication