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Back to Family Memories Index Spring Brings InvitationsEngraved invitations used to start trickling into my mailbox in early spring, threatening to become a downpour by early summer. It's not as bad now as in the early 1960's when so many friends and relatives were updating mailing lists and ordering invitations to graduations or weddings. What to do for this cousin or that classmate became a real dilemma after three or four such invitation. I was running out of ideas when I came across a magazine short story one day. A young bride-to-be was invited to visit her elderly "Nanny" who had a wedding gift for her. Nanny welcomed her with a hug and a glass of iced tea, then proceeded to carry on a conversation while she swept and dust-mopped the floor, polished the furniture, then pulled out the ironing board and pressed assorted shirts and pants. During all these chores she kept up a running conversation as she demonstrated the most practical way to clean house. She showed how to remove water stains from wooden furniture, grease stains from pants legs and coffee stains from white dress shirts. Pretty soon it was lunch time so Nanny prepared sandwiches while discussing the merits of home-baked bread over store-bought and fresh-picked over canned vegetables. She dispensed tips on growing herbs on the kitchen window sill and even hand-copied recipes for her favorite casseroles, cakes and pies. "Nanny, you've certainly had a busy day but I've got a hundred things to do this afternoon. Did you say you had me a wedding gift?" the exasperated young lady said while glancing at her watch. "Land sakes, child," Nanny replied, "I've been giving it to you all day!" After reading that story I gave some thought to my current invitation situation. I couldn't adopt Nanny's approach but I could adapt it a little. I clipped the invitation list to my shopping list and stuffed them into my purse. On my next few trips to supermarkets, department stores and Wal-Mart, I collected items everyone needs but seldom receives as gifts. Whether the recipients were college kids or engaged couples, these packages were always a hit. I collected brooms and mops, dust cloths and waste baskets. Kitchen towels, sponges and dish detergent. Scissors and paper clips and staplers. Paring knives and vegetable choppers. Plastic mixing bowls and cereal bowls. Even throw-aways like paper plates, napkins and cups. Recipe books for the microwave along with a microwavable dish or two. Laundry baskets did double duty as handy gift boxes. In recent years I've read about Lawn and Garden showers for grooms, where guests chip in and furnish household tools from rakes to power saws to lawn mowers. There are even Polynesian theme parties for couples who register at a travel agency, hoping to fund a wedding cruise or Hawaii honeymoon. In recent years the invitations in my mailbox have been for children - or grandchildren - of relatives and classmates. Considering the times we live in, practical presents nowadays might include how-to hints on E-bay shopping or checkbook balancing. I do give linens, china and silverware sometimes, but many college-bound kids and marriage-bound couples still appreciate the practical everyday items. I'm glad I read that little short story about Nanny all those years ago. |