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BY KATY
HALL
I recently bought a friend a nice wedding gift
and traveled at significant expense to her
destination wedding. A few weeks later she
sent me an email thanking me for the gift. I
haven’t responded yet because I feel like wedding gifts should be acknowledged with a written thank-you
note. Or is that no longer the case? — G., Boston
Q
Spending hundreds of dollars in plane fare, hotels and wedding gifts is one of the most generous things we do for our acquaintances. A handwritten note is not too much to expect in return.
But there’s no need to acknowledge her inadequate acknowledgement of your gift — even the most thoughtful thank-you card does not beg a response. I suspect you don’t
A
ILLUSTRATION BY JASON SCHNEIDER
HUFFINGTON
8.19.12
feel obliged to respond,
but are reaching for a
way to remind her she is
a bad friend. Don’t. She
knows she is cutting
corners, and there is no
use trying to reason with
a new bride. A gift is an
expression of thanks for
a lavish party and best
wishes for the couple’s
future. Next time you are
invited to a wedding,
give no more than these
things mean to you.