wedding gift: cash toward

MSN Money - A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping Money People & Chat Sign In W eb Search: Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Planning Home Retirement Savings Insurance Family/College College Tools Scholarship Search College Search Resources Decision Centers Commentary Index More Tools Related Links Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Get market news by e-mail See if refinancing works Personal finance bookshelf Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site map Related Articles Marriage means updating important documents Romance can wait; first, talk cold, hard cash Tie the knot without busting your budget Related Resources Decision Center: Essential homebuying guide Decision Center: Love, money and marriage See if youre carrying too much debt Stay at home or work? Try our calculator Related Sites Bankrate.com The Basics A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home advertisement If anyone asks what you want for a wedding present, you might try 'cash for a down payment.' Its legal, if you follow the rules, and asking for cash even meets the Emily Post test for politeness. By Bankrate.com June is the busiest month for weddings, and a forest's worth of invitations either already has been mailed or soon will be sent. A lot of couples want money for wedding gifts. A wedding-day cash infusion can make putting a down payment on a home easier. With prices appreciating rapidly in much of the country, lots of couples need all the help they can get. There are formal and informal rules governing gifts of money to help newlyweds buy a house. First, the informal rules: Is it OK to ask one's wedding guests for money? "It's not rude to request money as a wedding gift," says Peggy Post, author of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette. "However, it's extremely important to ask politely." Peggy Post is Emily's great-granddaughter-in-law, the wedding etiquette expert for WeddingChannel.com and the main spokesman for the Emily Post Institute. She says one of the most common challenges that couples face is how to request money as a wedding gift. Doing so is acceptable, if done politely. If you seek down-payment money, get the word out through family and friends, Post recommends. Just don't include that info in the same envelope as a wedding invitation. "If you are asked point-blank what you would like for a gift, you might say, 'Whatever you choose will be wonderful, I'm sure, but money for a house down payment is on the top of our wish list,'" Post says. It's OK to say what it's for Go ahead and tell people what you want the money for. Who knows? If you let people know that you plan to spend the money on a down payment, rather than on a honeymoon in Tuscany, they might be more willing to open their pocketbooks. Wedding guests who insist on giving you yet another toaster or wicker picnic basket or a set of rosewood corn holders should be thanked anyway, even though they aren't helping you buy a house. "You should always accept any gift graciously, and remember that the choice of what to give really belongs to the gift giver," Post says. With the etiquette question out of the way, that brings up how to get the money from your guests' pockets and into the hands of the folks who eventually sell you their house. It's not simple, because mortgage loan programs have differing rules on the use of gift money in making a down payment. So know the gift rules Generally, you are expected to be able to make a down payment of at least 5% from your savings, excluding gifts. But what if you are too impatient to wait that long? Some mortgage programs allow you to use gift money if you can't scrape together that 5%. Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration allow you to use money from gifts to make a down payment of as little as 3%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two biggest purchasers of home loans, offer similar programs through lenders. Fannie Mae's program is called "Flex 97" and Freddie Mac's is called "Alt 97." If there is a problem with these loan programs, it is that they limit whose money you can use. The FHA, Fannie and Freddie allow you to use money from family members. In the FHA's case, givers have to be members of your "immediate family." It's up to the loan officer to figure out who is family and who is immediate family. What about friends? Can you use gift money from, say, the woman who has been your mother's best friend since kindergarten? Technically, no. The money has to come from family (or from a nonprofit or government agency, but they don't give wedding gifts). It wasn't always this way. In 1996, the FHA encouraged lenders to offer "bridal registry accounts," where couples could stash gifts from friends and family. "Then, when the newlyweds purchase their new home, the money will be available and documented through a lender-supervised account," the FHA said. A few lenders responded enthusiastically, establishing account programs specifically for newlyweds complete with gift cards that could be returned to the bank with a check enclosed. One such lender is SunTrust Mortgage, a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks. Through SunTrust Mortgage, you can open a bridal registry savings or checking account at SunTrust Bank. When a wedding guest makes a deposit, the bank sends a card to the bride and groom to let them know. Ready to find a mortgage? "When they're ready to go ahead and make that first home purchase, they access those funds and we get a mortgage for them -- and we hope they remain a SunTrust banking customer," says Cheryl Nolda, senior vice president of marketing for SunTrust Mortgage. In the last few months, about 500 brochures have been given to prospective couples, Nolda says. The lender usually sees an upsurge in interest in the two months before June and October, which tend to be the busiest months for weddings. Despite their success at SunTrust, bridal registry accounts never really caught on. You can always open a regular old savings or money market account to hold your down payment fund, but you might need to document where the money came from. That's easy enough when the money comes from your paycheck. If some of the money comes from gifts, be prepared to document the source. Encourage gift-givers to give checks from their personal accounts. And don't forget to write those thank-you notes. Editor's Choice 3 legal papers you can't live without Your own business, your tax shelter Brush: The 5 most overpaid CEOs Are seniors gambling away retirement? Cut your taxes by going solar Readers' Choice Ratings Top 5 Articles 9.34 Zombie debt collectors dig up your old mistakes 9.33 10 ways to stop identity theft cold 9.31 10 ways to avoid outrageous hospital overcharges 9.22 The tricks and traps of debt consolidation 9.17 Safeguard your Social Security number View all top rated articles More Resources · E-mail us your comments on this article · Post on the Your Money message board · Get a daily dose of market news S earch MSN Money tips advertisement MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft of any specific security or trading strategy. 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gift ideas & wedding

Amazon.com Tools & Hardware:Gift Ideas Your Store Tools & Hardware See All 31 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help browse brands & products | top sellers | power tools | accessories | free catalog | gift ideas & wedding registry | today's deals | outlet, used & reconditioned Search Amazon.com Tools & Hardware Web Search Home & Garden > Tools & Hardware > Gift Ideas Browse Gift Ideas Auto Combo Packs Cordless Tools For Woodworkers Great Gadgets Hard-to-Find Tools Lawn & Garden Tools Multitools Tool Sets Tool Storage Browse Gifts by Price Under $25 Under $50 Under $100 Under $150 Under $200 Over $200 Browse Gift Ideas By Price By Type Woodworker Wishes Starrett 505A-12 ProSite Protractor List Price: $49.99 Price: $37.99 You Save: $12.00 (24%) Bosch 4000-07 10" Worksite Table Saw with Folding Steel Stand List Price: $948.00 Price: $479.99 You Save: $468.01 (49%) All gifts for woodworkers Customers Rave Bosch 23614 14.4-Volt Impactor Fastening Driver List Price: $437.89 Price: $239.99 You Save: $197.90 (45%) Used & new from $163.75 great tool , October 30, 2004 Reviewer: Kreg Robert Mcmahon "Honey-Do Man" from Redondo Beach, Ca USA I just received this impact drive. I have 5 of the makita's, because once you get hooked on impact, you will only use impacts instead of drills. use them for lags, screws etc. This impact driver works great, has great torque, and best of all it has a belt hook attachment that hooks onto the back... Read more Stumped? Send an Amazon.com Gift Certificate Amazon.com gift certificates are the perfect solution when you justcan't seem to find the right gift or you've waited till the last minute. Sendone or a hundred--Amazon.com makes it easy to cover everyone on your gift list. Everybody Wants One of These Leatherman 63050103K Super Tool 200, Leather Sheath List Price: $80.00 Price: $52.00 You Save: $28.00 (35%) Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath List Price: $87.00 Price: $69.85 You Save: $17.15 (20%) All multitools Combo Packs Make Great Gifts Black & Decker HPD1802KF 18-Volt High Performance Drill/Bonus Flashlight List Price: $130.00 Price: $94.99 You Save: $35.01 (27%) DEWALT DW618PKV 2-1/4 HP Electronic Variable Speed Fixed Base / Plunge Router Combo Kit List Price: $446.00 Price: $239.95 You Save: $206.05 (46%) All combo packs Registry and planning made simple for brides and grooms, family and friends.Find or create a weddingregistry today. Visit AmazonWedding Our Top Sellers Updated Hourly 1. Toro 51598 Ultra Blower Toro Price After Rebates: $59.99 Used & new from $69.99 2. Starrett 505A-12 ProSite Protractor Starrett Price: $37.99 Used & new from $34.99 3. Bucket Boss Brand 01056 Bucket Boss 56 Organizer Bucket Boss Price: $15.99 Used & new from $15.99 Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Tools & Hardware All Products for Top of Page Browse Brands & Products | Top Sellers | Power Tools | Accessories | Free Catalog | Gift Ideas & Wedding Registry | Today's Deals | Outlet, Used & Reconditioned Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France  | China Contact Us | Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Releases | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1995-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Gifts on the Internet!

Butterfly and Nature Gifts - Largest Gift Selection Online! The LARGEST Selection of Butterfly & Nature Gifts on the Internet! About Our Store Butterfly & Nature Gifts - Product Categories About Us About Our Butterflies Policies Links Sending a Gift Ordering/Shipping SHIPPING SPECIAL: Pay Only $6.50 Shipping On Your ENTIRE Order! Real Framed Butterfly Displays Live Animal & Butterfly Kits Butterfly Houses & Feeders Dragonfly Art & Gifts Wall Clocks Fun Live Plant Kits Bird Houses & Feeders Butterfly & Nature Jewelry Educational Toys & Games Live Butterfly Releases Unique Gift Ideas Butterfly & Nature Shirts Toad Houses & Gifts Prints, Pictures & Art Work Items Under $25 Ladybug Houses & Gifts Welcome to the LARGEST Butterfly and Nature Gift Store on the Internet! We carry everything from Butterfly Art and Nature Jewelry to Butterfly Feeders and Bird Houses - all perfect as a Butterfly Gift or Nature Gift! Our prices range from $8 to $680. Many of the unique, handcrafted butterfly items display Real Butterflies for best visibility of their striking natural colors and shapes. These butterflies are raised in "butterfly farms" which help to preserve valuable rainforest habitat by providing villagers an alternate income other than clearing virgin tropical rainforest. Butterfly and Nature Gift Store items are a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of the rainforest while protecting it. Order a Butterfly Gift or Nature Gift for yourself or that special person! Best Sellers AntHill Ant Habitat Kit Butterfly Garden Kit 3 Butterfly Display - Black Frame Award Have a Website? Apply for Our Award! Phone order? Call 1-800-485-1497 Questions? Email info@butterfly-gifts.com 2005, Butterfly & Nature Gift Store Butterfly Gifts Home | Site Map 1 | Site Map 2 | Site Map 3 | SiteMap 4 Visit The Butterfly Site -The #1 Butterfly Information Resource on the Internet!

Groomsmen Gift

Weird and Wacky Groomsmen Gifts, Wedding Party Gift Ideas Personalize FindGift.com! -- Login | Sign Up | List of Services Gift Ideas Gift Registry Gift Shops Gift Bookmarks Home | Help keyword search Gift Giving Made Easy! A free service dedicated to helping you find creative gift ideas! Home Categories Bridal Party Groomsmen Weird and Wacky Refine Search for Bridal Party Gift Ideas Groomsmen Always Friends Barware Cigar Theme Golf Theme Office Theme Weird & Wacky Any Price $0 - $10 $11 - $25 $26 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $200 $200+ Related Links Sign Up for our FREE Bridal Registry! Wedding Gift Ideas Use our Gift Wizard to customize your gift search Use our Gift Finder to find gift ideas customized to the likes/dislikes of the recipient. Custom Bridal Party Gifts Personalized gifts for groomsmen, bridesmaids & more. Top quality! www.Wedding-Presents.com Custom Metal Works of Art Bud Vases, Anniversary Metals, Pill Holders, "The EGG", Unique Gifts www.SunshineProductsUSA.com Viewing 1 - 10 of 26 gift ideas found Squatting Gnome from The Lighter Side Co. ($14.98) If you're tired of garden variety lawn ornaments, we have just what you're looking for. Our gnome lives up to his reputation as he livens up your yard with his unconventional behavior. Memorable gifts that delight, entertain and amuse. Since 1914! Questions? Contact The Lighter Side Co. . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] 1 Acre of Land on the Moon from LunarLandOwner.com ($29.99) 1 acre on the Moon - $29.99 It is true. You can purchase land on the Moon. 100% legal and real! Moon property is: a great gift, potential prudent investment and an interesting conversation piece. Attractive gift pack. 10% discount for FindGift shoppers. Enter coupon code 1057301965 when checking out. Questions? Contact LunarLandOwner.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Bottle Of Wine Glass from The Lighter Side Co. ($10.98) If you limit yourself to "just one glass" of wine to relax, you better make it this glass! Giant glass goblet holds an entire bottle of your favorite vintage--it's a wine lover's dream come true! Memorable gifts that delight, entertain and amuse. Since 1914! Questions? Contact The Lighter Side Co. . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Monogrammed Toilet Paper from Wishingfish.com ($17.95) The ultimate gift for the host/ hostess that has everything! Each sheet displays the initial of your choice. Fun for housewarmings or as an accent for the guest bathroom. Set of two individually shrink-wrapped rolls. Questions? Contact Wishingfish.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Simpsons Duff Beer Can with Playing Cards Rix Products from WickedCoolStuff.com ($8.95) A fun gift for fans of The Simpsons! The top comes off this oversized Duff Beer can and reveals a deck of Simpsons themed playing cards! 5% OFF your first order! Coupon Code: FG555 Questions? Contact WickedCoolStuff.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Ambient Orb Ambient Devices from Convenient Gadgets ($149.95) The Ambient Orb is a glass ball that changes colors to inform you on changes such as the weather, the stockmarket, and so on. New Products Added -click on- [More Gifts from this store]. 10% discount for FindGift shoppers. Coupon code : Found Gift Questions? Contact Convenient Gadgets . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Wine Guy Wine Holder by HaysCash from Sundog Company ($45.00) This Whimsical Wine Guy would love to keep your drinks at hand. Made from all hand-forged & formed steel, he is a must have for all your dinner parties. Also available, Wine Girl, Wine Cowboy & more. Free shipping on all orders over $65. Free personalized gift cards. Questions? Contact Sundog Company . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Guy on the Go from CookiePots ($45.00) Finally, a man's kit that has all the items a guy REALLY needs to survive his hectic day. Durable metal carrier has: disposable camera, flashlight, deoderant, phone card, breath mints and more. Perfect for guys of all ages. Visit CookiePots.com for delightfully different gifts. Same day shipping on orders placed M-F before 2:00PM EST. Questions? Contact CookiePots . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Cabo Wabo (by Sammy Hagar) Blanco Tequila Mexico from Send.com ($86.00) No aging. Direct from distillation. Express delivery of Tequila gifts and more to offices and homes worldwide. All gifts are delivered with a message card and can be set for delayed delivery. Orders must be placed by 1:00 PM EST for next day delivery. Questions? Contact Send.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Danger Men Cooking Holster with Hot Sauce from Cooks Corner ($16.99) Don't let your sauce get lost! This rugged, black nylon holster comes with a 7fl oz bottle of Tough Guy Hot Sauce. Velcro closure attaches easily to your belt. The Nation's Largest Kitchen Store! Over 10,000 kitchen items. Free Shipping on orders over $99. Questions? Contact Cooks Corner . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | viewing 1 - 10 of 26 gift ideas found Bosses Day Oct 16, 2005 24 Shopping Days Left Bosses Day Gift Ideas Sweetest Day Oct 15 Halloween Oct 31 More Holidays Seasonal Gifts Wedding Gift Ideas Anniversary Gift Ideas Autumn Theme See this month's Top 20 Gift Ideas Gift Helpers » Anniversary Gifts » Flower Meanings » Monthly Flowers » Monthly Birthstones » Signs of the Zodiac » Additional Resources FindGift.com Newsletter Sign up to receive seasonal and unique gift ideas via email. Email Address Merchant Login | Add Your Products to FindGift.com | Press Room | FAQs | Contact FindGift.com Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map © 1997-2005, Registry Online, Inc. FindGift.com and its logo are trademarks of Registry Online, Inc.

Teacher Gift Basket? Try

Looking for a Teacher Gift Basket? Try a Teacher Gift Barrel, Instead!Barrels of Fun - Secretary's Day Looking for a Fun Teacher Gift Basket? Try a Fun Teacher Gift Barrel, Instead! Themed Barrels Anniversary New Baby Birthday Camp Survival Candy Cards Coffee Lovers College Survival Congratulations Corporate Divorce Father's Day Get Well Golfer Halloween Holiday House Warming Human Resources/ Recruiting Meeting Gifts Mother's Day Patriotic Secretary's Day Schmooze Sorry Sports Fanatic Stress Relief Teacher Gifts Thank You Travel Valentine's Day Wedding Welcome Whatever Yoga Corporate Programs Guest book Calendar Order Form HOME Teacher Gifts Teacher Mug - A simple way of acknowledging your child's teacher. We will fill a fun 'teacher' mug with assorted hard candies, coffee that so aptly reads "Teachers share their time, energy, and knowledge", heart Sniffs (assorted styles), lip whistle, keep smiling pad and a smile bubble pen. $12 plus shipping. Barrels of Fun creates Teacher Barrels of Fun in any size barrel you wish. We can create a Gourmet Barrel, or a Stress Relief Barrel or any combination you think would work for that special teacher. To customize your barrel go to the order form or call a gift specialist at 1.800.536.7386. comes in lots of different sizes! From left to right: half gallon gift($25), one gallon gift ($35 or new baby $40), two gallon gift($55), three and one half gallon gift ($85), and six gallon gift ($130) [ Corporate ] [ Guest Book ] [ Calendar ] [ New Products ] [ Order Form ] [ Home ] BARRELS OF FUN 47 G North Plains Industrial Road Wallingford, Ct 06492 (Phone) 203-265-7740 (E-mail) barrels@barrelsoffun.com