This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by labeadel on 06/10/2005.
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posted by labeadel
Do I NEED a birdcage thing or box or something to hold the cards (gifts) that we get at the reception? I'm thinking I might just pass on getting one, especially since the wedding is small (less than 75 people), but not sure. What do you guys think?
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posted by roseprincess
for a group that size I'd skip the birdcage, but I'd still try to find a nice basket or box (think round hatbox) for people to put their cards in. You can turn around and use it after to keep the cards, plus any other wedding trinkets you'll save.
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posted by labeadel
That's true Rose. I was kind of thinking the same thing. Where could I get a hat box like that? Do you think Michaels would carry something like that? Do I have to label it so that people know cards go in it?
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posted by wynelle
Michaels or Hobby Lobby would have a similar box and you can finish it off in the wedding colors. You can always put a few cards in the box as an example for those who might not understand why its there.
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posted by Marge129
Cover a shoe box in somethin pretty... no one will know the difference!!
~Margie
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posted by syringa
I recommend to my clients that they do not use a basket but use a box covered in pretty paper with a slit in the top. I have not had any of my clients lose cards, but I have heard the horror stories about having many or all of the cards stolen (they often contain money or gift certificates). Though you may trust your guests, you don't know who the people working at the wedding may be (catering staff, etc.). It is better to be safe than to risk losing your cards.
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posted by Marge129
I, too, have heard of cards being stolen. We "fixed" the mailbox so that we would be the only ones who could get it in. You had to destroy the front of it to get the cards out of it. We didn't have anything stolen.
~Margie
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posted by TheaterDiva1
I went to Pearl's (art supply chain) and bought an oval-shaped cardboard box. Then I cut a slit in the lid, painted it white (so it doesn't show through the fabric to follow), covered it with a layer of white satin and a layer of creme organza (to add shimmer) and glued seashells on it. It was very simple to make, and we still keep it on a bookcase with the rest of our wedding supplies.
-Maggie
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posted by bm4ever
It is not uncommon in my hometown area, and I believe, though not certain that it is part of certain cultures - to assign one of your BM's, MOH or even have yourself (Bride) 'collect' cards. They usually wear a pretty white, lacy apron type deal and put them in there. This is not something I necessarily advocate, however, I have seen it done a number of times and people from my hometown are accustomed to it. Just a thought.
PS - with it being pretty common, it's not that the person collecting them goes around and looks for people to put something in her apron, most people know to look for the one wearing the apron. And if you are having a receiving line into the reception, it would be more obvious. Like I said - just sharing, from what I know, a *regional* tradition (btw - Northeast PA)
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posted by krazikrys
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Like I said - just sharing, from what I know, a *regional* tradition (btw - Northeast PA)
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Wow, really, I am from western PA, I never heard of that, but you'd think it'd travel somewhat.
~ Krys
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posted by bm4ever
Hey krys - you never know, you say "Pop" on that side of the state and the eastern half says soda...*smiles* who knows!
Not that I really care for the idea, just sharing what I guess now might be more of a locally known thing??? I don't know, but it's done there for sure.
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posted by feb-bride
I made a card holder to look like a wedding cake. I used three oval hat boxes in graduated sizes. I cut a slit in the "top" box (the smallest one) and "hollowed out" the bottom and the lids/bottoms of the other two boxes. On the "bottom" box (the largest one), I made a "trap door" at the bottom so I could get the cards out. The slit at the top was big enough to put cards in, but not big enough for anyone to reach in and grab out a card.
I painted and decorated the card holder to look like a wedding cake. I bought all the supplies at Michaels.
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posted by roseprincess
wow feb! that was very creative and crafty of you, I bet it looked very cool. and it gave me an idea: if someone wanted to do something similar without it looking like a cake, they could do a stack of square boxes tied together (like some people do for Christmas decorations).
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posted by labeadel
Wow, these are all very cool ideas! Thanks so much! I may stick with something simple, just because I'm that kind of girl, but we'll see. Syringa, my only question is, what stops people from taking the entire box from the wedding? My mom had mentioned the same thing, that she knew some people who had ALL of their cards stolen. Unless I chain it down, what will stop someone from carrying the whole thing away? Any ideas guys?
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posted by roseprincess
making it BIG and BULKY!!! LOL, sorry I don't mean to sound flip but it would be pretty obvious if you make your card holder look like a stacked wedding cake or a stack of presents. It's sad to think that you should have to worry about someone stealing your presents on your wedding day, like you don't have enough to think about and take care of.
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posted by syringa
People are more reluctant to pick up anything that looks like a gift and walk out with it. Someone will see them. If there are loose cards on the table, it is easy to use one's body to shield what you are doing from sight and slip them into a pocket. I watched the male guests at a wedding Saturday picking up the CD favors and putting them into their jacket pockets. The same thing can be done with cards and no one would notice. Another thing to do is not place the gift table next to an exterior door. Place it a little way inside the room then place the card box at the end of the table the greatest distance from the door.
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posted by labeadel
No Rose, you didn't sound flip at all. I more took it as being funny! Maybe that's just my mood today. My only thing with making it so big is that I'm only going to have about 60-70 people, so will it seem weird if I have such a big card holder? Like I'm expecting tons of gifts? Maybe a dumb question again, so a flip answer would be okay!
Syringa, I will definitely keep that in mind when setting up the room for the reception. I think that the gift table will go close to the door, but I'll be sure to put it on the side farthest away.
Card holder at reception
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