Etiquette and Wedding Gifts

The gift display has not gone out of style, says Miss Black, but more effort is directed towards showing presents harmoniously and in good taste. Growing in favor is the trousseau tea, she says. This is given by the bride’s mother for relatives and friends and is the only opportunity for them to see all the gifts. – Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm perusing wedding gift display and singing, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” In the 1956 film “High Society” – Image source, Pinterest

Display of Wedding Gifts in Good Taste

When wedding plans are made, give some thought to the delicate subject of what you’ll do with the wedding gifts. A mother of a June bride-to-be asked me what current attitudes are on the display of wedding gifts and for the answer I checked with a top-notch bridal consultant, Norma Black.

Some customs are changing. Many mothers of this year’s brides were married in wartime in small and extremely simple weddings; displays and fancy receptions weren’t feasible or desirable. We can also remember the gala weddings of pre-war days when gifts were displayed like so much loot with cards attached and sometimes even the wrappings.

NOT OUT OF MODE

The gift display has not gone out of style, says Miss Black, but more effort is directed towards showing presents harmoniously and in good taste. Growing in favor is the trousseau tea, she says. This is given by the bride’s mother for relatives and friends and is the only opportunity for them to see all the gifts.

If the reception is given at home, gifts may be displayed at the time in a separate room. When the reception is held in a public place, gifts may be shown to friends in the home a few days prior to the wedding day. In any event, displays are always at the home, never in a public reception hall.

SHOW THEM ALL

If space allows, all gifts should be shown. In limited space, show gifts from close relatives and friends. When duplicates have been received, only one of the items need be displayed.

Do not include gift cards or wrappings in the arrangement of presents. If checks are shown - and this is a matter of choice - the amounts should be covered, although this will work a hardship on the ladies who enjoy comparing who gives what and how much.

The arrangement itself reflects the taste of the family, Miss Black believes. White or ecru linens should cover the tables and decorations (candles, flowers, etc...) used sparingly.

An easy rule to remember is that a well-balanced display needs a high and a low point. Group in one place items that will be used together. Show just a few pieces from tablewear sets.

ARRANGE SILVER

For example, if the bride’s parents have given her the traditional sterling silver flatware, show just one place setting. Arrange the sterling in a place setting with pieces of her china and crystal surrounded by serving pieces which will be used with them.

Other types of wedding gifts such as kitchen appliances, household items and linens can be arranged in attractive individual groupings at one end of the display table or on separate tables.

Because a wedding gift display is a concentration of highly desirable items. I would consult local police officials about safety precautions.– By Kay Sherwood, Newspaper Enterprise Assn., May, 1962

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