GIFTS   by Emsie Schoeman       Since ancient times, gifts have been a sign of goodwill and friendship.   For the bridal couple, a gift is something special: it should be lovely and   /or useful. This tradition goes back a long way: everyone around – family,   friends, neighbours – came to help the couple set up house. They asked:   what do you need? Poles, clay, thatch? And what about bowls, cups and   plates? And this is still how it is today: what do the couple need? The   bridal couple does not demand anything, but should be grateful for all the   gifts they receive, no matter how small the gift. One does not look a gift   horse in the mouth!       To make things easier for everyone, the bride and groom draw up a gift list.   Their mothers can also help. Ask a big department store or a reputable gift   shop to handle it for you, and make sure there is a choice in terms of gifts   across a wide price range. This makes things easier for your guests when   they call the number on the invitation to RSVP and ask whether there is a   gift list. For an expensive dinner service, a person can give a dozen plates   or just a milk jug or sugar pot. This makes it easier for family and friends   abroad to get the couple a gift and to pay per credit card. It also prevents   duplication. With regard to other gifts: guests should ensure that the couple   can exchange the gifts.       What will suit the bridal couple’s taste?   With a second wedding or older couples, the guests know that the couple   probably already have most of what they need to run a household   comfortably. But do ask whether there is a gift list. Or ask them what they   need. Would a cheque be welcome? One usually is!					What is unsuitable?   I am sorry to have to tell you this, but any suggestion of “give us money”   (“just bring a little envelope” or “we prefer cash”) is inappropriate. That is   putting it mildly – it sounds like begging. Another taboo is the CASH BAR   idea that has blown over from the USA. Even the American elite complain   about this. At a wedding the host or groom provides all the drinks. Whatever   is supplied, is sufficient.       Place a gift table at the entrance of the reception venue. There should   also be a person to receive the gifts and to lock them up as soon as the   festivities start.       Thanking people   This is the bride’s day: the wedding day. And one of her duties is to thank   guests for their gifts. I just got the cutest thank you card from London – very   stylish! Get thank you cards beforehand, and acknowledge every single gift.   When the bride opens the gifts, she should make a note of who has given   what, and thank everyone for each gift (including gift vouchers and cash) as   soon as possible (within 6 weeks). It is important to thank people and it is a   classy thing to do. Write something such as “Dear Aunt Annie and Uncle   Peter, thank you so much for the...it is really useful ...” That would be quite   sufficient.                 to top
	Website developed and maintained by Boldesign					Copyright © 2008 ADROC Marketing