Help me choose something from Whiteflash

[ArtistJess]

I am soo stoked. Just won a $200 gift card to WF. Seriously, how generous are those guys? I was frantically checking my email all day to see if I had won.. and guess what, I did! I really do not think they could have picked someone who wanted it or will appreciate it more. I don't get the gift card for a week or so, which gives me time to decide what I want to spend it on.

Finances are tight for us right now, what with the wedding RIGHT around the corner and all. My birthday is at the end of the month, and my parents usually send one or two hundred my way because they are both under the assumption that they are bad at picking out gifts for my sister and me (not true, btw). It really is a nice gesture though. I could add some of this money to the gift card if I need to.

So here's the thing, of course like most people I love EVERYTHING on the WF website. I need help deciding what to get. It would have to be under $300 to $400. DF was the first person I thought of, as I haven't gotten him his groom's gift yet. We just paid for him to get back into school, so we both kind of mutually agreed not to go all out for the wedding gifts in exchange for paying his re-admittance fee. I'm thinking this would be a perfect opportunity surprise him. Of course, I looked at the men's items and wouldn't even know which to get. He really would like any of the items on there.

I have also been thinking of getting a plain, white gold band to wear as a travel or alternative wedding band when working with my hands, which I do constantly. The wedding band we bought to go with my ER is pave with small diamonds all around.

Then there is this huge part of me that really, really wants to be selfish and get small pair (maybe .33 ctw) of the princess cut diamond studs. I just recently got a .25 ctw round pair. Saved every single quarter, penny, whatever and even ebayed a few items to come up with the money. Snagged them up at Christmas when they went on sale. I initially got them to wear down the aisle, but I have worn them almost every day since then. However, my ER is a princess cut and I KNOW that WF diamonds are of much better quality than the mall store (I know, I know.. it was all I could afford) where I got my rounds. I'd like to think that I am working my way up to bigger and better things. Really the only thing I've bought myself in.. well, as long as I can remember.

Anyway, I also know that mother would love the Akoya pearl and diamond earrings, and although I've already gotten her wedding gift, Mother's Day is the week before our wedding. She has done so much for us.

Ahhh, I'm so confused (but grateful and excited, of course). What do you guys think? Have any of you guys gotten any of these items? Are there other WF things I have missed?

 

[Gypsy]

So choices are... something for FI, something for mom, something for you?

And finances are tight with the wedding around the corner.

Tough call. Hmmm... is waiting and saving an option? You will probably get lots of presents for the two of you at the wedding, including maybe some cash. Then you can get more or get more than one thing. LOL. That's what I'd do.

 

[ArtistJess]

Gypsy- waiting is absolutely an option. I just get overly excited

A few of the things I listed were things that, if purchased, would need to be done before the wedding (Mother's Day gift, DF wedding present, and studs if I decide to wear them down the aisle). It did cross my mind that if I do wait, I could get more.

We aren't super strapped for cash at this point, but being a newly married couple (or at least ALMOST), one of us in school, with two needy dogs

and a wedding around the corner, all monetary priorities are given to things we NEED as opposed to things we want. I am working, but my money goes to pay for our living expenses. He is also working part time while in school, but that money goes to our groceries and gas, etc and also his books and school fees.

The two things that stopped me from waiting were the fact that we were hoping to reimburse the money we spent from our savings on our honeymoon (which we paid for ourselves), and also.. although the fact of getting money at the wedding is probable, I hate to EXPECT anything, you know? Maybe that's a silly thought process, but we're from a place where most people give gifts.

I also figured that by getting something smaller now, I might avoid spending too much money down the road on a want, not a need.

I'm probably thinking way too much into this. ha.

 

[Gypsy]

I can only speak from my own experience. BUT, its never a bad time to give anyone a gift... mother, husband or anyone else. So I wouldn''t put a timeline on yourself. I also understand about being excited and wanting something NOW. Totally get that. But for me... I enjoy savoring gift cards and things like that. The POTENTIAL purchase is more exciting than the actual purchase. If I have a gift card... what that is to me is days of changing my mind and imagining possibilities. That''s the reason I play the lottery (of course I have a feeling that winning the lottery would be more fun than dreaming about it, but what do I know? I have nothing to compare it to). So I would just... enjoy having a gift card for a while. One of my favorite things after the wedding was the gift cards. I spent DAYS in Crate and Barrel imagining what I''d buy. I think I mentally bought everything in the store! I had a giftcard from Pearlmans once. Boy was that fun. We bought our best man cuff links with it eventually, but I had so much fun dreaming about all the stuff I *might* buy. Every once in a while the journey is as much fun as the destination.

Congratulations on winning your giftcard, and enjoy it! Whether you buy something now, or later... there is NO wrong answer. That''s the great thing about it.

 

[ArtistJess]

Date: 3/15/2010 3:28:47 AM
Author: Gypsy
"Every once in a while the journey is as much fun as the destination."

I love that. Thank you for your congratulations and words of advice, Gypsy.

 

[Firestone]

Congrats on winning the gift card. You sound very excited to purchase something now. Its a great feeling. Don''t want to rain on your parade but if I were you I would hold off until after the wedding. You already have a pair of earrings and a wedding band now. Unexpected expenses commonly pop up when planning a wedding and a honeymoon. Its always good to have a few hundred extra dollars on hand.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/15/2010 3:33:45 AM
Author: ArtistJess

Date: 3/15/2010 3:28:47 AM
Author: Gypsy
''Every once in a while the journey is as much fun as the destination.''

I love that. Thank you for your congratulations and words of advice, Gypsy.

Anytime.

Just post pics whenever you buy whatever you buy! And have fun!

 

[reader]

Oh, its wonderful to hear when someone has good news! Thank you for sharing the excitement with us. I think it would be great if you got to show us some of the things you are considering, it is kind of like vicarious window shopping.

 

[Maisie]

I never win cool stuff.

How did you enter the competition? I didn''t realise WF ran them.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I would wait too. After the wedding it will be somethign fun to look forward to, and you may have a better idea (and a little more cash) for what you really want to do...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 3/15/2010 8:51:59 AM
Author: Maisie
I never win cool stuff.

How did you enter the competition? I didn''t realise WF ran them.

I''ve seen/entered a few WF contests just by chance but haven''t won anything

 

[Dreamer_D]

I vote to get something for yourself... partly selfish and partly because you seen to love diamonds and so this gift would probably mean more to you than it would to your hubby or mom.

And I vote to wait and see what money comes your way at the wedding. A travel wb is a great idea, but I would not buy a simple gold band from WF, their prices are high compared to companies hat specialize in such things (like e-weddingbands.com) and so in a sense the money would be "wasted". But their scattered diamond band is a really great travel, comfort wb. Save $300 more and it could be yours!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

yes-I would definitely not get a plain band from WF. They do many things really well, and at competative prices, but plain bands IMO are not one of them.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 3/15/2010 12:00:54 PM
Author: dreamer_d
I vote to get something for yourself...

Yes, for sure get something for yourself! A pretty set of classic studs you can enjoy for years to come.

 

[ArtistJess]

Oh, I forgot to ask.. Does anyone have the Danielle Bezel Band? I would love to see photos.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/15/2010 10:03:42 PM
Author: ArtistJess
Oh, I forgot to ask.. Does anyone have the Danielle Bezel Band? I would love to see photos.

D&T has is, Geckodani has to original... there may be more but you can start with them! Both are all diamonds.

 

[ArtistJess]

ohh, okay. thanks dreamer! i will see if i can find it somewhere on here.

 

[Gypsy]

Oooh, great choice. Can''t wait to see it on you!

 

[reader]

What a wonderful idea to get a travel band to match your colors. Offhand, will your dress have red too?

 

[ArtistJess]

dress is all ivory, but shoes and accessories are red. bridesmaids dresses are red with white/ivory roses. my bouquet is going to be red roses, and i''m wearing tiny red roses in my hair.