When is a gift just a gift or can it mean more?

Growing up as a Muir girl was not always easy. In fact, the rules of the house pretty much read like Emily Post's guide on manners. There was charm school for Andrea, modeling school for Carin ( she needed help in being a girl, me I was just un-charming I guess), Cotillion for both of us and a whole host of other programs designed to teach us manners and appropriate decorum. I can enter and exit a car without giving anyone a "show"...I can be gracious in dealing with just about anyone and I know when to accept a gift from a boyfriend...or at least I thought I did....so imagine how perplexed I was when cute little Shriner man gifted a very large diamond to Gina. Remember that for the past year, Gina has been running at a very fast rate from cute little Shriner man and gifts were definitely not encouraged.

What I am not very good at is reading Gina and her body language so initially I was not sure how she felt about the diamond necklace. I read unsure...embarrassed...kind of excited...a whole host of reactions...now I must admit that this type of gift would not have been encouraged were it given to one of the Muir girls...

Fast forward three days and a trip to the mall....and what do I see...the matching bracelet around her lovely wrist.... so...again I have to wonder...when is a gift just a gift or does it mean more......

What would Emily Post say about this.......well according to her blog in February, she recommends a more simple approach to gifts..one that would express your feelings, but not impart something more...and this is one etiquette dilemma most single women would like to have. http://www.etiquettedaily.com/

Further research did not reveal much in the way of gift giving...Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette by Kathy Burns-Maynard states that gift givers just want you to be happy and satisfied with their gift....that it is how you acknowledge the gift that is most important and that in remembering the basics of gift giving and receiving you will display your sincerity without insulting. Good advice.

But, when is a gift just a gift...or can it mean more. To me, a gift is a meant to show how you care about someone else. Gift giving is an art...one that takes thought and love...a special sense of what the person loves and will make them happy. In most cases, a gift is just a gift...a lovely thoughtful expression of your love for another (even platonic friends need love)...can it mean more...sure..it can mean many things...and it can demonstrate to the world a committment to another...

What lovely gifts cute little Shriner Man gave to Gina...a demonstration of his admiration and devotion to her...a wonderful thought and of course she was gracious and thoughtful in her acknowledgment. The gifts frame her neck and wrist and remind her that he cares...that she is important and he wants to make her happy.....I agree with Emily Post...most single women would feel lucky to be in this position.....

So a gift is just a gift AND it can mean more.....way to go Gina ...now......about those new earrings....