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unwrapping an etiquette enigma

Today's post requires me to tread lightly on a subject that I have long pondered since the post-graduate days of invitations to wedding showers and baby showers began.

GIFT ETIQUETTE

As I searched this morning for a baby shower invitation for my best friend, I was reminded of the many occasions where the mail was delivered to my home and shortly after came the excitement of being invited to a party!  Then the astonishment of this request at the bottom of the invitation...

"unwrapped gifts please"

My point of view on this comes from two places.

1. I thoroughly enjoy wrapping gifts.  It is a creative element that I feel goes hand-in-hand with the gift you are giving.  With so many options for stylish wrapping paper, ribbons, tags, cards, and those cute little Chinese lunch-box gift packages, who wouldn't?!?
2. I feel that if I am bringing a gift to a shower, I should be in charge of making the decision on how I would like my present to be presented.

With a little research, I found a great explanation on this subject and why it is against proper etiquette to include this request.

(post from invitationbox.com)

Bridal Shower & Baby Shower Gift Wrapping

Monday, January 25th, 2010

In modern times, the main purpose for hosting a baby shower or bridal shower is to celebrate the bride or mommy-to-be and shower them with gifts that they will need for the next chapter of their lives. Many customers have been asking lately about the etiquette behind asking your guests to wrap or not wrap gifts. Many brides/mothers feel that they would rather spend quality time visiting with guests, dining, playing games etc. rather than focusing on material items and others do this from the GREEN perspective.

The straight across answer to this dilema is that it is against proper etiquette to ask your guests to bring an unwrapped gift to a shower – period. It is often considered tacky or that the honoree is unappreciative for the gifts presented and does not want to take the time to open each gift. While in most cases this is not the truth, asking guests to bring an unwrapped present does not give off a good vibe. From the GREEN perspective, we can see how many brides/mothers may feel it important to ‘save a tree’. This has become more accepted but still goes against traditional etiquette.

The bottom line is that most guest truly enjoy watching you open their gift, as well as other guests’ gifts, at the bridal shower or baby shower. Everyone gets a chance to see what the new baby or your new house will have and it can be a very fun bonding experience. Remember that a shower is not only a reflection of the host but also the honoree.

I’m not one that always sticks with traditional etiquette, but in this case, we suggest allowing your guests to bring wrapped gifts.

LOL @ LOL

Lower Oak Lawn (LOL) is quickly becoming the new Dallas hot spot with restaurants, coffee shops, salons, etc. all slated to open in 2011.  The Design District is booming and I couldn't be more excited!  Equally as enthused is local blogger Kendall Shiffler, the self-proclaimed "aficionado for everything Lower Oak Lawn".  Be sure to check out her blog Lower Oak Lawn - Life in the Design District for all things LOL.

Friday I enjoyed a glorious patio lunch on what had to be the most beautiful day EVER in Dallas.  A friend and I met at the Meddlesome Moth, a new-ish restaurant concept in the Design District.  An appropriate location for such a uniquely designed space from Dallas restauranteur Shannon Wynne.  A few interesting design elements... the floating stained glass panels in the dining room were salvaged from the Hard Rock Cafe, and the tap wall is covered in quarters.  Be sure to hit the patio with a large glass of wine before the Texas summer heat arrives!

The Meddlesome Moth

everything sale!

Another Horchow EVERYTHING SALE is here!  Don't miss the entire inventory at Horchow marked down 20-30%.  If you have had your eye on something, now is the time to buy!

Here are some of our favorite items from the Neiman Marcus home store...

not your mom's catalog

I think many women my age feel a long-standing stigma with Ballard Designs.  Sort of like the "mom jeans" of the home decor catalogs.  NOT ANY MORE!  Have you seen their catalog lately?  Take advantage of their collaboration with the stylish Suzanne Kasler and check out some of JMI's favorite finds from Ballard Designs...

Suzanne Kasler Rectangular Horn Box, $169

Suzanne Kasler Zinc Planters, $49 - $179

Suzanne Kasler Geometric Indoor/Outdoor Rug, $19 - $199

Suzanne Kasler Cameos, $199 each

Suzanne Kasler Herringbone Jute Rug, $47 - $599

Provence Market Basket, $35

Durham Writing Desk, $499

Jellyfish Giclee Art, $169

 

Ogden Mirror, $199

Sarah Storage Tower, $599

Mariestad 12-Light Chandelier, $299

Capri Outdoor Furniture Collection

Chair and Ottoman, $779

Lounge Ottoman, $399

Loveseat, $899

J. McIntyre HOME

EXCITING NEWS FOR JESSICA MCINTYRE INTERIORS!

We are thrilled to announce that after a few weeks of thoughtful planning and weighing options... Jessica McIntyre Interiors has decided to relocate our design studio and incorporate a small retail shop in our new space!!!  An exciting adventure lies ahead, and we hope to see many of you visiting J. MCINTYRE HOME this summer!

Stay tuned for location details, operation hours, and inventory updates....