We never took the opportunity to thank Catherine and Danielle for all their efforts coordinating and putting together a great Jack and Jill shower. They reserved a space, invited all our friends, decorated it up, brought in fun games, great food, and a unique concept where each potluck dish included a recipe that was assembled into a recipe book for our kitchen.
The shower also brought about a collection of great gifts from our family and friends to use as we start our new life together as man and wife. So, when a long weekend like Labor Day provided the opportunity to assemble that new bed set or hang those new curtains, I was excited to update our home with the great gifts we’ve been given.
Except that I wasn’t allowed to. According to Selena, everything needs to remain in its boxes until we are officially married. The logic escapes me, but it has something to do we being able to send them all back if we don’t get married, which does leaves me a bit concerned about flight risk potential.
My friend Ben, knowing I want to break these gifts out, encouraged me to spin things the other direction, suggesting that there’s nothing more likely to derail this wedding, and force having to send everything back, than having our condo overtaken by boxes of unused gifts.
Selena did not take that threat all too seriously.
So, married friends and those who just know about these things, is this the etiquette? Are we supposed to be keeping everything in boxes until after the wedding?
Haha! That’s pretty funny… although, in all seriousness, Selena must have the will of- well, I don’t know, but something that has a lot of will!! I would never be able to keep all those presents in a box, unused, and un-played with… never.
But, if it makes either of you feel better, I think I can speak for both Jeff and myself in saying that even if for some reason you were to not get married, you can keep our gifts. There’s two of each. Go nuts! : )
Yes that is the etiquette, however, aren’t rules made to be broken? You two are getting married in less than a month – USE THE GIFTS! If Greg or Selena decides to run I promise not to expect the gifts back – I think it’s tacky to return even if it’s etiquette. Think about it, what am I going to do with YOUR baking stuff? I am waiting, patiently, to read a story about baking and if it was a success or disaster. ASo break open those gifts and use them to heart’s content. We are married and haven’t opened most of our gifts because we have zero room. We used the George Foreman grill and had to pack it back up. Sad so sad.
We used our gift on your behalf. Please don’t put it back in the box. Happy casserole baking!
Being a woman, I’m going to put another spin on this question: Why do you care? What are you having second thoughts about marrying Selena or something??!!
Yes, you’re supposed to in case things don’t work out I guess. But seriously, you could use it now and if it doesn’t work out, buy new versions of the gifts (or clean them really well) and return them to the owners or the store. Sure, you’re out a few thousand bucks but look at all of the new stuff you’ll have for your now-half-empty condo!!!!
Awwww… You’re welcome!!! It was our pleasure. And please, please, PLEASE feel free to use my gifts. There’s nothing sadder than unused food!
The opposite, Kelly, I am so confident, I don’t see the point of keeping everything boxed up. But Selena points out that even if we are both sure, we still need to get to the wedding without weather incident. It can still be called off for us, and we don’t want to jinx that.
[...] concerns, inquiring for the best wedding tunes (Cha Cha Slide explicitly excluded), determining when to open wedding gifts, exploring the sand castle options, documenting the Vows, highlighting the ceremony and reception, [...]