How much gift money should you give? A guide by relationship
There's no single right number, but there is a common rule: pick an amount by how close you are, and if that person gave to you before, give back at least what you received. That rule only works if you wrote it down.
Typical amounts by relationship
Customs vary a lot by country, region and budget. In Korea, where cash gifts at weddings and funerals are expected, people usually think in steps like these:
- Acquaintance or coworker you rarely talk to: the smallest step (for example ₩50,000)
- Friend or teammate you see often: one step up (₩100,000)
- Close friend or relative: ₩100,000–200,000 or more
- Attending a venue with a formal meal, or bringing a partner: go up one step
- Funeral condolence money: similar to or slightly less than a wedding gift
If they gave to you, return the favor
If a friend gave ₩100,000 at your wedding, giving at least that much at theirs is the norm, sometimes more if years have passed. The hard part is remembering an amount from five years ago.
How to log gifts so you never guess
- Right after your event, enter every guest and amount while the guest book and envelopes are still at hand.
- Log flowers or gifts with no cash as a note — you'll want to return those too.
- Record the relationship so you can keep amounts consistent for similar people.
- When an invitation arrives, look up the name, then log what you give so received and given stay balanced.
In Giftbook
Giftbook shows money received, money given and the balance for each person, and tags anyone you owe with "Your turn" and a suggested amount equal to what they gave.
Never guess what they gave you
Get Giftbook on Google Play