iSee

Yes... this has been discussed before, but I am interested in current opinions (2013).

These best friends are almost literally life-long friends. We are all in our 60's and have known each other for over 40 years, They are our very best friends, and they are closer than any relatives.

We are all - I would guess - in the upper middle class. Our family incomes are around $100,000 per year gross. Were we to go to dinner and live theatre as a foursome, we'd drop between $200 and $350 per couple for tickets, meal and drinks - never mind gas.

Christmas and birthday gifts to each other's children are a mutually agreed upon $50 ($50 for Christmas, $50 for the birthday). It doesn't matter that the "children" are no longer children, but are adults now.

The couple planning to marry are very much hoping to travel overseas for their honeymoon. I add this simply to emphasis that the engaged couple have high hopes and dreams, although they are not particularly wealthy.

In discussion forums that I've visited recently as I've searched for ideas, amounts such as $100 or $200 per person have been suggested for close friends and families as an appropriate amount for a wedding gift.

I'm more interested in what you think an appropriate amount might be from us to their child - given what I have told you told about us - rather than what the general rules dictate these days.

What I am trying to say is, I suppose we could give $400 to $1000 (as a couple), but at some point you have to consider just how much is enough, and how much is too much.

So, how much cash would you think we should give to the marrying child of our very best friends?