Engagement Party Gift Etiquette

Knowing about engagement party gift etiquette can help everyone from invited guests to the engaged couple to know what is expected. This helps reduce disappointment and embarrassment that can mar an otherwise very special occasion.

Should you give gifts at engagement parties?

While etiquette may seem outmoded and irrelevant in the modern society, it does play a very important part in engagement and wedding planning. Etiquette is basically a set of rules that can help manage expectations. People can choose to follow or ignore them depending on the preference of the couple. However what etiquette does provide is a general framework within which to operate. Knowing how to approach important aspects of an engagement and wedding, such as who to invite and what to wear or say can appear daunting. Therefore turning to etiquette for guidance can be a useful way to approach the planning process.

Knowing the right party gift etiquette is important for both the couple getting engaged and the people invited to the party. The giving of gifts at engagement parties can be a contentious subject. Most of the problems regarding the giving of gifts at engagement parties are caused because guests do not know what is expected of them. This means that they are unclear as to whether engagement party gifts are expected, how this impacts the giving of gifts at the wedding and other important matters.

Traditionally, engagement party gift etiquette would have been quite simple as gifts would not be expected at engagement parties. Gifts were given as part of the wedding celebration as this marked the time that the couple set up home together. Therefore the position was very clear for both guests and the newly engaged couple. Today, however, the situation is changing. This is because the nature of an engagement is evolving. Some couples get engaged and set up home together long before they make plans to marry. Other couples may opt for a very short or very long engagement. As engagements and engagement parties become more tailored to the individual circumstances of a newly engaged couple, so the expectations regarding engagement party gifts changes.

While etiquette would suggest that gifts are not given at engagement parties, there may be circumstances where gifts are given. For instance if a couple are setting up home together at the same time as they get engaged then some form of house warming gift may be appropriate. It is essential, however, for a couple to make their expectations very clear so that guests can comply if they want. Information about gifts should be shared in engagement party invitations.

Even if gifts are not expected, many people do not like to go to a party empty handed. Therefore people may like to take a small gift as a token. These can make special keepsakes that will be treasured for many years to come. Small gifts such as a special photograph or handmade card can form part of a wedding keepsake book.

There are other forms of engagement gift etiquette to consider. One important consideration is how to handle the gifts if a couple breaks up before they are married. Although people do not like to consider this situation, the sad fact of life is that a number of couples will split up before they get married. If gifts have been given to the couple, then it is important that this is handled correctly to avoid bad feelings. If the gifts are still brand new and have not been used, then many couples offer to return them. If gifts have been used, for instance if a couple have set up home, then this is less practical. As such an option that many couples use is to sell their gifts and donate the money to a charity.

Gift etiquette for an engagement party is useful when planning a party. Couples should remember, however, that this is not set in stone and their party and wedding can be as unique and individualistic as they like. Keep guests informed of what is expected, however, as a courtesy. This helps the engagement party and future wedding go on without a hitch.

• Filigree Mountings
• Mens Custom Platinum Wedding Bands
• Meanings of Gemstones
• How Much Should I Spend On An Engagement Ring
• What is the main gemstone in your engagement ring?

• Unique Engagement Rings
• Celebrity Engagement Rings
• Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
• Pave Setting Engagement Rings
• Engagement Ring Settings