Monetary Gifts

"At the same time, If you are close to the people you are inviting, nothing is going to seem rude. "

I don`t think so. Being "close" to your guests doesn`t make rude behavior any less offensive. If anything, you should be even MORE concious and careful about how you treat "close" people in your lives.

"If you just say something like "the couple is not registered and gifts are not necessary, however a best wishes-tree will be available for cards". "

If they ask then you can divulge this information. But to volunteer this info is presumptuous and in poor taste. To use your wedding invitation as an opportunity to list your wants and needs is never nice and has never been acceptable. Brides today not only think they are entitled to gifts, but now they seem to think that they are entitled to dictate what gifts they want and don`t want. They will come up with all kinds of ways to justify it (ie "it`s okay if you are close with your guests", It`s polite as long as you put cute phrases in like `wishing well` or a cutesy poem", "It`s MY DAY and I can do what I want", "good manners and gracious behavior are different in 2003) and lots of other "interesting" rationale. Do whatever you like, but don`t kid yourself into thinking that it`s okay. If your guests want your help in determining what to give, then they will ask. Obviously the whole meaning and sentiment of gift giving is totally lost on some brides today. It`s just a huge feeling of entitlement under the guise of "I`m doing my guests a favor". Yeah, right. The only favor you`re doing for your guests is showing them your true, greedy colors. The only want that should be mentioned in your invitation is that you want them to come share your day with you.