Cash gifts on your wishlist – how to ask the right way

Name the purpose, not the amount

“Money” on its own feels cold. “Contribution to the honeymoon in Portugal” tells a small story, and whoever gives knows what it’s for. The more specific the purpose, the easier the giving:

• Contribution to the honeymoon instead of “travel money”
• Toward a cargo bike instead of “money for a bike”
• Savings for a first apartment instead of “cash”

Several guests on one wish

A big wish rarely gets fulfilled by one person alone. Check “Can be given more than once” on the wish: it then stays available on the list after every reservation, and every guest can see they’re not the only one chipping in.

You can add a price as a guideline. How much someone gives is up to them – the price only shows the rough size of the wish.

The money itself doesn’t go through the list

The wishlist shows who would like to contribute. The money changes hands the usual way: in a card at the party, by check, through a payment app or however suits you. There are no fees and nobody taking a cut.

If you’d like guests to send money, don’t put your account or payment-app details into the wish – share them personally when someone asks. The list can be reached through a link, and links get forwarded.

Money and things side by side

Not everyone likes giving money. A good list has both: one or two cash wishes with a clear purpose, and next to them things in different price ranges. That way every guest finds something that suits them – and nobody has to ask.

Wording for the invitation

When you send the link, you can add a few words, for example:

Having you there means the most to us. If you’d still like to give us something: our list shows what we’re wishing for – including a contribution to our trip.