Rainfall of Envelopes
Not to go all A VC on you (a great blog if you don't read it), but I wanted to drop a post about a company that a couple of friends of mine have started. The company is called Rainfall of Envelopes. In a nutshell, it's a Web 2.0 company that allows you to create a gift registry to ask for cash. Although it's not as common in the United States, there are numerous countries around the world where it's traditional for couples to indicate on their invitations that, rather than gifts, they'd like a gift of cash. They do this by writing "rainfall of envelopes" on their invitation.
For whatever reason, this hasn't really caught in the U.S. yet. Even though most couples would prefer cash, so they can use it to pay for their honeymoon, a new car, or a new house, they end up feeling obligated to register at all the usual places. As a result, they end up with a lot of crap. (My closer friends may see a pattern here... maybe not.)
Anyway, Rainfall of Envelopes now makes it easy to both ask for that $70 bread and butter plate and cash for a honeymoon. Or you can register for a housewarming gift, a birthday present, or for any other occasion. Because the fact of the matter is, when it comes down to it, we'd all prefer cash.
If you or a friend have an event coming up, be sure to give Rainfall of Envelopes a try.
And now back to our usual programming.
posted by Steve @ 11:07 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
So, er, yeah, um....I'm confused? Please to explain. You been feeding us red herrings this whole time?
I have no idea what you're talking about. Red herring as to what?
Like I said, a couple friends formed a company. I'm doing them a favor posting about it. End of story.
Misread part of that.
Your friends should really use this for donations. Like this site better than PayPal because you have to give your bank information.
The reason it hasn't caught on in the US is because IT'S RUDE. End of story - you don't mention gifts on an invitation, and you certainly don't register for cash.
"Rainfall of Envelopes" my ass - the invitations should say, "We're terribly rude cretins who are throwing a party solely to extort our guests. Thanks for coming!"
I wouldn't put my registry on my invitation either. But the concept here is definately not rude -- I don't see how asking people for towels or dishes is any better. In fact, if somebody is going to buy me a gift, I'd much rather have money that I can spend wisely. Otherwise, your just wasting good money by buying stuff at overpriced stores (as you can detect, I'm still bitter that my wife forced me to buy silver and other crap we will never use).
Instead of having Rainfall Of Envelopes tell people you don't want crap and you want cash instead, save yourself 99 cents and 3.7% and tell them yourself. It's really catching on in the US to be greedy, entitled and completely gauche when it's your day. Really, nobody minds.
Unbelievable sense of greed and entitlement here, huh? I cannot believe this Rainfall web site and that people actually have the gall to think using it is appropriate. IN ANY COUNTRY, IT IS ALWAYS RUDE to expect OR ask for gifts. This Rainfall site is just beyond mind-boggling.
Rainfall of Envelopes" my ass - the invitations should say, "We're terribly rude cretins who are throwing a party solely to extort our guests. Thanks for coming!"
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LOL! You are so right. I can't believe anyone with an ounce of sense or self-respect would think this was acceptable in any way, shape, or form.
Like I said, a couple friends formed a company. I'm doing them a favor posting about it. End of story.
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So what you're saying is that your friend is crude, tacky, and knows nothing about etiquette.
Are the words "greed and entitlement" becoming more common or does the same person keep posting angry comments. I don't know one person that got married that didn't register for gifts. I guess all of my friends are rude or stupid.
Old-school thinkers here, and this coming from an old-schooler. I would much rather give a gift of a vacation, honeymoon, or assistance with down payment on a home then crap most newlyweds really don't want (I see it all the time). I think it self-serving to bring an unwanted gift so you can say you brought a gift. Please, just don't bring a gift and don't make me have a registery because YOU must bring a gift or because you think it is proper "etiquette". THIS is "rude" - whose wedding is this anyhow.
This is a great idea for second-time-a-rounders, merging families, or older couples who are marrying and have all the linens they need. Most people have a wedding website to offer their guests more information about the event, this is perfect place to add this information. I say good for these guys for offering an option to those who are insistent on giving a gift. Gift giving is an OPTION not a requirement, give them what they want. Its time to come kicken’ and screamin' into the 21st century. Stop getting stuck on "etiquette" and curling up your stuffy noses. Be open minded, it is not about you and if you can't get over it, leave your unwanted gifts at home. Kudos to these guys for their innovative thinking!
All of you people thinking that Rainfall of Envelopes is rude, etc....then you are a bunch of cheap creeps. I would rather give someone a gift of cash than be the 8th person giving them a repeat blender or stupid towels. Lighten up!
I think people who think this is rude is obviously out of reach with the sign of the times. No one needs the Wine Glasses or expensive silver anymore. People nowadays are not moving out after their weddign day like days in the past. They already are living togther and have all that crap anyways. The Spirit of the wedding registry was to help a young couple on their own for the first time. Most people don't need the stuff as housing is the most difficult expense in today's times. In california, only 18% can even afford to buy a house in today's economy. It can cost the bride and groom as much as 100.00 to feed each guest at a reception. Some people go 20K into debt to have a moderate wedding. Of course they want to celebrate with their friends and family but at what costs? Even the cheapeast wedding are around 10K. Maybe instead of inviting cheapskates, the brife and groom could afford a down payment on the house so you can think its rude they didn't invite you to a wedding ceremony and reception instead of thinking its rude to ask for financial assistance. My fiance and I are getting married next year and believe me, we have the most modest wedding, cutting costs at all possible areas. We have trouble to think about how much we have to spend in a wedding to keep our friends and family happy and we both think sometimes, its better to spend the 15K on a house downpayment instead of having a reception. It would be a much better benefit to having a home to live in then to feed ungrateful people who rather do what they think is right instead of truly helping a young couple in debt so they can please all their relatives and friends who expect to be invited to a wedding ceremony and reception.
Although asking for cash seems rude to those of us brought up in the conspicuous consumer, post Victorian era of the US really it reflects the genesis of wedding gifts and is very practical. Many other cultures receive cash for weddings, our grandparents appreciated help with setting up housekeeping and today's newlyweds would also.
I just spent 2 years downsizing and trying to get rid of the stuff I was given as wedding gifts that I no longer have a need for. I hope my children make wiser investments.
I say bravo! hope it catches on.
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