Dear Queenie,
Recently I received an invitation to a small, informal engagement party that clearly said, “No gifts, please,” so I didn’t bring one, but when I got there there was a table covered with cards and small packages and a bottle of wine.
Queenie, did I make a mistake?—Confused
Dear Confused,
When an invitation says “no gifts” that is usually what the person who sent it means. Often they already have everything they need and more “things” are just more clutter they have to cope with.
In a case like that, a card is usually enough, but if you feel you must give them something, how about a donation in their name to their favourite charity and a card recording the donation?
