I think the bride should keep the gifts that her family gave and the groom should keep the gifts that his family gave. As for gifts from mutual friends, that is something they need to work out between them both. The cash gifts have probably been spent on a honeymoon or just to cover the cost of the wedding.
Posts: 5305 | Location: The Motor City | Registered: 06-03-02
According to the etiquette books, if the marriage actually takes place then gifts are not returned to those who gave them. My personal feeling is that Clare is correct in stating that "the bride should keep the gifts that her family gave and the groom should keep the gifts that his family gave"...But with so many marriages failing so quickly, I wish there were a reasonable way to decree that gifts be returned to the donors if the marriage does not see its first anniversary...Perhaps more people should take advantage of the rule that one may send a wedding gift up to one year from the wedding date...But then, disgruntled gift givers may also take comfort in the fact that only token gifts are traditional for second(and subsequent) marriages.
Posts: 2239 | Location: Western United States | Registered: 06-03-02
If the marriage only last a week, you should keep the gifts. Gifts are not given based on how long the marriage lasts, but are given because you got married. I wouldn't even expect a gift back, that I had given someone.
Posts: 6666 | Location: Land of Lincoln, USA | Registered: 07-04-02
You mean, return the wedding gifts to the sender? No, I think that would be insulting. And then the sender would have to take them back, or re-gift! Keep the gifts. If the couple does not want them, they could give them to the Volunteers or have a yard sale. But I say, they were given so keep 'em. Unless they're godawful. But those are the gifts you can never get rid of.
Posts: 4535 | Location: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
