We have a couple of friends, a married couple, who always have their own birthday parties but they come with a price tag or a "pay your own way" invite to a private girls' night out or expensive restaurant. Are you obligated to bring a gift? I'd say...

I was told by my close friend from high school (we've lost touch) that she is having a baby in October, I would like to send her a gift, event though I don't think that I am invited to the shower. How much should I plan to spend?

My friend has invited me to dinner in his home. They just moved in to their new house. I would like to take a nice gift for the hostess, his wife. As a professional bartender, I've always taken along a bottle of great wine or cognac to these things. ...