tesy has no
intrinsic value, and the omission of it would often be far more
satisfactory than its bestowal.

The usual form of wedding gift is something of use and ornament for
the new house. Silver, linen, cut glass, or china for the dining-room,
furniture, rugs, lamps, clocks, vases, books, and pictures, or
bric-a-brac for the rest of the house, are all appropriate.

If silver is given, it should not be marked, as the bride may have
duplicates and prefer to exchange some pieces for others, or as she
may have a special form of engraving which she prefers. The exchange
of a gift, however, removes from it the personal thought of the giver,
and makes its acceptance more a matter of mercenary than of friendly
interest. If, however, such exchange is made at the suggestion or with
the approval of the giver, it still remains a personal gift. The
indefinite way in which many people choose wedding gifts for their
friends, following only the conventional ideas of what is suitable,
has taken a great deal of personal interest from the gift at the very
first.

The wedding gift should be a real gift in spirit, something expressive
of the giver's good wishes, and something which the bride and
bridegroom can enjoy and appreciate for its worth to them. Foolish
things, whether expensive or not, have no real utility or beauty, and
have always the atmosphere of insult about them, or else always
reflect upon the intelligence of the giver.

A bride should acknowledge all gifts as soon as they are received, and
before her wedding day if possible. Spontaneous rather than
stereotyped notes of thanks are preferable. They should show
appreciation of the gift, and include the name of the bridegroom-elect
in her expression of their gratitude. A bride should remember that
too elaborate notes, which are a grave tax on her strength or time in
the busy days preceding a wedding, are unwise, as is any other
unnecessary expenditure of energy.

It is never obligatory to send a wedding present. The wedding
announcement and wedding invitation are equally suggestive of such
gifts, for in either case, whether one is invited to the ceremony or
not, one is perfectly free to do as he pleases about conferring a
gift.

_The Country Wedding_

There is an especial attractiveness and simplicity about the out-door
wedding in the country, for those who desire to get rid of the
conventional and artificial. Such a wedding is, of course, a day
wedding. The la