It is a bit ridiculous to buy kitchenware for people in their 30s who probably already have most of what they need, but who doesn’t need at least a few extra appliances? Also, the cost of weddings is so high now that even the “cheap” ones are several thousand dollars. In that sense, buying a wedding present is more like chipping in to defray the cost of the awesome party that you get to attend than it is helping a couple “get started out in life.”

Also, if we buy people presents for being born or for Christmas rolling around, why not for a wedding? A wedding actually requires people to accomplish something/ make a decision/ plan a party rather than just waiting for the calendar to change.