I live in Shanghai, China.  My secretary has invited me to her wedding.  She is Chinese and I am an American.  I am an international school Principal.  How much money should I give her as a gift?
202912
It is best to ask a Chinese national, as you do not want to insult her family.
416355
£30 is alot for a ex considering she only spent about £5 on you. this is going to be from your daughter, so take her with you and let her pick something out, like you said you hardly speak and her hubby will be the one splashing the cash on her (well...let him pay) stick to about the same as she will spend on you, if your daughter picks a picture frame or something, just put a nice photo of your daughter in it to make it more personal. its the thought that counts, not the cost
184829
I think you should have the wedding in the U.S. and then possibly for a honeymoon go to Kenya; that way you have shared your background and his during your special time.  Good luck & congrats!
204282
I just spoke to the principal of an international school about this last week.  His school has worked out a Roth with an office that is in a U.S. territory nearby.  The tax is prepaid so there's no tax or penalty paid at retirement.  Email a investor in the Mainland to see what they can offer.  Some offices are just ignorant of the law, as most folks are for most things like voting, taxes, shipping things to people who are abroad.  You may want to email an investment group someplace like the Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico...  They're more familiar with policies and retirement programs for Americans living outside the Mainland.
578496
The customary notion would be to get her something she likes with a certain immediacy, like a gift certificate.  That is quaint.  To give a gift certificate or money, however, it won't be remembered years from now.\n\nOn the other hand, I believe that the best gift on the occasion of one's grauation is something lasting and memorable, and when she looks at it years from now, she will allways be reminded of the landmark occasion and of who gave it to her.  I also believe in giving very unique gifts.\n\nIn your city, do you have those companies that can take a 3D image of a person, and then carve it into a glass cube?  Here in Las Vegas, they are all over the place, particularly at shopping malls and casino resorts.  When one of my oldest friends visited here two years ago, she and I went and had a portrait of the two of us done.  We received a discount for having two made, so now we each have one to remind us of our 36-year friendship.  Our cubes cost about $120 for two.  O don't know your area, so I can't say for sure if it is available.  My thought was to borrow someone's cap and gown (unless she has hers already), and to roll up a tube and tie a ribbon around it.  Take her, along with these props, to have a beautiful portrait of herself done in a glass cube to commemorate her graduation.  Have a second one made to give to her parents.  This would be a wonderful, desirable, and unique gift!\n\nAlso, there are companies who will work from a photograph, without the subject needing to be present!  Have a headshot photo taken of her like a graduate, and send that in to be etched onto glass.  I was able to locate a mail order company in Pennsylvania that does this work.  With them, you can even add a special date or signature.  The cost is $99 for the first piece, and $19 for each duplicate:\n\nhttp://www.photo-etched.com/\n\n\nI also located a company that will do the laser portrait etching into a cube from your photograph!!!  (Wish we had that when my friend's sister was here.  I may do that with a photo of my mother, sister, and myself!)  The company is in Orlando, FL, and they also sell the lighted bases seperately:\n\nhttp://www.laserthis.com/3dHead.htm\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\nI know that you'd like to have the gift immediately, but if you'd like to give her one of these just do this.  Order the gift, and at the party, present her with a hand-made certificate (or one that you create off the computer) for a very unique and personalized gift from you, which is on order!  (If this doesn't help you now, perhaps you'll take advantage of it in the future, or someone else looking for a unique gift will enjoy it.)\n\nBest wishes!
181199
I am a part-time event and wedding coordinator.  This is the information I give to clients.\n\nFor close friends/family; it is expected that a wedding gift will be in the neighborgood of $75 to $100 (or more depending upon the relationship).\nFor a friend/work associate/lesser acquaintance; $40 to $60\n\nShower gifts are typically in the range of $25 to $35 dollars no matter what the relationship.  If you are hosting a shower, it is not necessary for you to give an additional gift because the shower is considered your gift.\n\nIt is customary for the shower gift to cost less than the wedding gift.  Remember that the bride and groom will be appreciative of whatever you give.\n\nGood luck!\n\nCheers,\nShauna
427899
Writing a sincere note/letter would make their day. It did to my boss. It shows them that you really appreciate what they did for you. If you want to include a little something, go to the school book store and I am sure you can find something small with the school's name to include. Something they can keep on their desk in their office like a mug would be a nice small thank you gift. Keep in touch with them telling them of your progress. They in turn will no doubt write back to you giving you any support you may need. A gift caard can get used up and forgotten about. Let them be able to remember you and say to themselves "I am glad I am a teacher." .
117684
I'm Chinese - so perhaps this is only the way in the Chinese culture...but if a friend of mine wants money instead of gifts - they do not register.  Yes, you'll get a few crap gifts but (like I said, at least in the Chinese American community) people know that means you want money instead. In addition maybe spread a quiet rumor to friends and family and hopefully they'll pass the word around.
446276
I would just think abou how much you would normally spend on gifts for them and give them that amount on a gift card.  If you would normally just buy them a DVD or something like that, $20 would be appropriate.  If you normally buy them something more than that, adjust the gift card accordingly.  I would say, since they are your sisters, giving less than $20 would be a little cheap, unless you are really strapped for cash and then they will understand.  I personally would give my sisters $40 or so, just because then they can buy something they want, anywhere from cds/dvds to clothes or whatever they happen to like.  It totally depends on your situation though and what you have given them in the past and what you can afford now.
100585
First, if you're going to solicit funding, you should find a more appropriate venue.\n\nSecond, if you're going to solicit funding in English, you should at least make sure that your sentences are grammatically sound.  Let's start this new education system by having you educate yourself on what is and is not appropriate in Yahoo! answers.\n\nThirdly...no, I cannot help you "financially to our great mission" whatever that means.
534063
It sounds like she is old enough to get married but are you? Minimum is 22 if I remember right but do you want to marry her if not then tell her! Marriage is not a problem only a little time consuming The law is constantly changing so ask at your local PSB or look at Chinese government web site\nYou're not native English speaker so where are you from? Could contact your own embassy
111992
Hi; I do appreciation baskets quite often.  I start with a pretty basket I find at Michaels/Hobby Lobby/or any Craft store; know your budget.  Fill with lotion, candles, gift certificate to dinner or movie, nice card telling how much that person means to you.  Add anything special that they collect ... I know our pastor's wife loves pretty journals and pens; anything personal that shows you "thought" about them -- that's the trick.  I recently did this and included the other ladies by having them "donate" to her -- like a money tree -- we gave her the money and it really blessed her.  Also, I had the ladies write down a blessing or special note of appreciation to her and included that in a beautiful china cup for her to read later.  I didn't just use one poem, I used a bunch of blessings -- a basket full of blessings.  Have fun!  She will be blessed just because you thought of her!
552213
Unfortunately, there is absolutely no polite or acceptable way of asking for money for a wedding gift!\n\nIf breaking eitquette doesn't bother you, just say, "Cash gifts only." That ought to do it.
515919
Do NOT focus on the fact that she's Japanese when buying a present. It's like assuming that since you're American you only eat fast food. \n\nFor a teacher you should find a pretty figurine, a snow globe, or something that would look good on a desk... Maybe you can get a nice pen engraved with her name or a thank you message.\n\nWhatever you get make sure to write a well thought out thank you note and wrap the gift with plenty of care.\n\nThe gift isn't actually as important as the thought behind it.
635987
1) To the best of my knowledge, there is no such law in India that prohibits one from marrying an American.  In fact, considering that Inida was a British colony, there are quite a few British people living there.  Several of those British people are married with the Indians there.  \n2) That person said he has received the package that you sent him?  Did he take any pictures of him holding some of the things that you sent him?  Reason I ask this is, I have heard of many internet romance scams that sound like what you are describing.  Please check out http://www.anti-scam.org for more details.  This site has a long list of scammers and their names.  Please make sure that his name is not on the list.\n3) How can you bring him over to the America though?  Do you plan on bringing him over with a fiance visa?  If so, you would need to be there too because the US government won't grant him anything if you are not there with him.  And also, granting a visa takes time; judging by the urgency of his case (according to you, he is going to be killed in just a few months), you may want to contact the US embassy in India to get involved.  And also, you will probably need to go to India yourself to meet with the ambassador and the Indian guy yourself to work things out.
500803
I dont know Im sure a ton of money, she is from where I live, her parents live like 20 min away from me here is Toledo, Oh. Too bad she didn't want to get married in her home town, that would have be so neat!!\nOoooOo David Beckham!
404104
If its a gift exchange where you only buy one present, then perhaps you should ask your group to establish a spending limit. I would say $20 and under would be fine!