How to Learn Proper Gift-Giving Etiquette

Sep 112010
 

Etiquette Isn't Old Fashioned (Photo courtesy of Muffet)

Do you have to buy a gift when you can’t attend the shower? How long do you have to buy a wedding gift? How much should you spend on your second cousin’s Bar Mitzvah? Gift giving can be a confusing tradition. Thankfully, there are plenty of books to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters of gift etiquette. Here are some to check out so you can become an expert in proper gift-giving etiquette.

The Everything Etiquette Book

The Everything Etiquette Book by Leah Ingram pegs itself as the modern-day guide to good manners. You’ll learn lots about gift giving in chapter 19, Genteel Gift Giving. The chapter covers topics like appropriate gifts for various ages, giving gifts in a work setting and gracious gift receiving. And the book itself is a gift in that you can read it for free online.

The Art and Etiquette of Gift Giving

Author Dawn Bryan fills 368 pages on the topic of gifts in her book The Art and Etiquette of Gift Giving. Bryan, a corporate gift consultant, shares her expertise by giving advice for giving gifts in business situations, giving gifts to people from various ethnic groups and giving gifts in a variety of social occasions.

Emily Post’s Etiquette

This is pretty much the Bible on manners. And in the pages of Emily Post’s Etiquette you’ll find out when you can re-gift in good consciousness. Plus there are lots of other gift giving tips you’ll find useful in all aspects of life.

The Language of Gifts: The Essential Guide to Meaningful Gift Giving

The same gift can mean very different things to the people receiving it. Make sure your gift is sending the right message by reading the book The Language of Gifts: The Essential Guide to Meaningful Gift Giving. Author Deanna Washington’s goal is to make every gift count by sending the right message.

How to Master Wedding Gift Etiquette

Jun 052008
 

wedding aisleThere’s only one season that rivals Christmas when it comes to gift-giving and that time of year has arrived: it’s wedding season. Before the bride takes that walk down the aisle and the couple says “I do,” it’s a good time to start thinking about gifts. There are definitely rules for wedding gift-giving etiquette. So to make sure I was displaying good manners I turned to the one and only Emily Post. Here are some of the biggest wedding gift-giving questions answered.

1. When should I send my gift?

I’ve been told several times that you have a year to give a couple a wedding gift, but according to Emily Post, get it done within three months. The best time to do it is right before or right after the wedding. It is ok to bring the gift to the reception if you prefer, but that just means more work for someone taking on the task of gift wrangler.

2. Does the gift have to come off of the registry?

Emily says no. A registry is just a guide, but it’s a good way to make sure the couple gets exactly what they want.

3. How much do I have to spend?

It depends on a couple of things: your budget and how much you like the couple. If the bride is your twin sister, you may want to spend a little more than you would if the bride is a co-worker in accounting that you barely talk to.

4. Can I give cash?

Yes! Cash is good. Emily says if this makes you a little uneasy, try giving a gift certificate.

Photo Courtesy of Alison Storm and Denny Shortt Photography.

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