Abraham Lincoln found himself at the head of a government that was divided amongst itself on how to proceed, given that the southern half of the country was teetering on the edge of secession.
I've noticed that employees don't contribute much when the envelope makes its rounds. I'd say their contributions average $3 per person, tops. I don't want to appear cheap to our boss presenting him with a departmental retirement gift of less than $200 (there is 60 people in the department). I want to ask the staff to increase their contribution to $30 per person, so we can give my boss an $1800 gift.
Those can cost significantly more to attend, as can costs of being in the wedding. Gifts - The Wedding Channel suggests that the average amount for an engagement gift is $35, while the average amount for a shower gift is $25. Whether you're going to a lavish country club wedding or a low-key wedding at a local hotel, Gibbons says it shouldn't have anything to do with the gift you choose. A nice gift just needs to be thoughtful - not equal to the $300 plate.