A wedding, a baby shower, the birth of a baby, the
purchase of a home, graduations, birthday parties, and religious celebrations
are special occasions to get together with loved ones and those close friends
with whom we share our triumphs and happy moments. However these events have
turned into a headache for some and in a tasteless commitment to others. The
reason? The new trend known as “Rainfall of Envelopes”.
And what is happening is that more and more, the
tradition of being creative when choosing or making a present, like baking a
cake, knitting or crocheting an outfit for a baby, painting a portrait or
taking the time to make an album of special moments, are not part of the items demanded on today’s gift registries.
The rush to “get back the money invested” in a
celebration has distorted the true meaning behind sharing those precious
moments with loved ones and with friends. As far as educating children on the
matter, it’s sad to see how our little ones are more concerned about the gifts
they will receive than in actually sharing the moments with their best friends.
Not to mention the pressure felt by some, who in spite of their love for the
one being celebrated, refrain from attending to many of the events because they
are not able to meet the “quota” established for such events.
In addition, rules of etiquette are broken when making
gift lists or when requesting money at the time the invitation is made. Ms. Maria Cecilia Saenz Gomez, director of Protocolo Empresarial MCS, a Colombian organization specialized in protocol and etiquette
assessment, says that “to suggest a gift is a gesture of bad taste, it is out
of etiquette and in addition, distorts the sense of originality and spontaneity
of the gift giver.”
The only occasions where a “Rainfall of Envelopes” is
acceptable under the rules of good education and etiquette are in weddings
where the couple plans on moving out of the city, or when they have lived
together prior to getting married – for obvious reasons. The “list of gifts” is
appropriate exclusively for weddings, as long as all types of budgets and
guests are taken into account.
Don’t let your celebrations become tasteless or an uncomfortable
event for your guests. If you don’t have the budget for a party then don’t
throw one. If you don’t have much to share, then, share what you
can, but allow for your loved ones to think of you and express their love in
their own way and in the capacity they are able to do so. You will see that
when you’re grateful for what they’ve offered you, the desire to give more and
better or to give what you long for most will come spontaneously for them and
will be of great satisfaction to you.
The value of good company at special occasions cannot be measured through money or a gift list. Give yourself the gift of selflessly sharing and of feeling the joy of giving without expecting anything in return.
The value of good company at special occasions cannot be measured through money or a gift list. Give yourself the gift of selflessly sharing and of feeling the joy of giving without expecting anything in return.
By Mireya Posada
Executive Managing Director / Mireya Posada
Editor in Chief / Cesar Florez
Editor in Chief / Cesar Florez
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