to only spend £10 or so on an engagement present?

[sparklyfairypie]

I feel so guilty, my friend (a close childhood friend) has just got engaged, shes the first of us to get engaged so I have no idea what is a reasonable amount to spend?

I am on a very low income I plan to hand make her a nice card (got a card making set for xmas) and can only spare around £10 (£15 at a push) for a present. Is this ok? Or is that totally too small for a engagement present?

I honestly have no idea! I love her to bits I really do and am so happy for her, but even that £10 will be hard for me to get.

Advice welcome.

I would just give her a card tbh
I never got any of my friends engagement presents and I'm sure she wouldn't want you to be hard up because of her

is it a party? - if not, just a card will do.

I find engagement parties odd.

Engagement present? What is that?

I dont know if shes having a party only got engaged last night.

I always thought it was the done thing to buy and E present? Am pleased to read the responses so far lol

I agree that a card (esp homemade) would be lovely.

an*

If she's a close friend she'll know how hard up you are and won't want you to spend much.

Agree if there's no party don't buy a present, just send a card.

If someone wants a gift from me they have to provide some dodgy 80's music, a plate of vol au vents and a selection of party rings before I part with a bean.

[hardass]

I've only bought an engagement present for a couple who were having a party.
It's the thought that count - if she is a bit because you 'only' spent a tenner, I'm sorry but she is not much of a friend.
I think the handmade card idea is lovely and should be sufficient.

if you feel you really have/want to buy a present get off down to TK Maxx - they have great stuff for reasonable prices!

don't feel obliged though

i dont buy engagement presents-id make or buy a card.save money till wedding day.

I recently got married and the £15 pound that my friend put in the card meant more to me than the £500 my aunt gave us. I knew how much my friend and her family was struggling, tbh I felt guilty accepting it. I agree with everyone else you dont have to give a present but you if really want to and she is a good friend then she will appreciate what ever you give her

madamecholet - agree. my lot are away for henny skiiing in St anton this wkend ffs then another more local one upon their return - am very glad am pg and can't go

wedding in castle in scotland too!

I personally would not buy someone an engagemnet present at all unless I had no intention of then buying a wedding present.

If you feel you have to get her something, you could get a pair of nice glasses? Like razzy champagne flutes from Pier or something? That kind of thing always goes down well and are inexpensive.

I am with everyone else here that I wouldn't buy an engagement present even if they had a party!!!! Don't think I am particularly tight either - weddings are expensive enough without this! I didn't get any engagement presents and would have been amazed if I had!

have never even heard of chillingham castle and I'm scottish and LIVE here!!
drumtochty castle

I wouldn't bother - but if you really want to, how about a bottle of champagne, or a little wedding planner/guest book/photo album? Cute but inexpensive.

I think that if you want to get one, 10 pounds is fine. We did not get/expect them at our engagement, except from each other.

madame tis but fark off castle up north which they have to hire out completely and pay for all the guest accomodation and caterers for time we're all there and a free bar - nae use to me as pg but dh's irish drinking eyes are dancing at the thought!