The Red Prince

Take Valentine’s Day cards for example. A commonly asked question is “does my child have to prepare cards for all the kids in their class?” The answer is “yes.” While you may view it as going overboard and your child may not want to sign so many cards or give one to a classmate they don’t particularly like, it’s best to include everyone and avoid hurting feelings.

If your child receives a gift this Valentine’s Day, this could be a great opportunity to discuss the importance of sending a thank you card. Before doing so, talk to your child about what the gift means to them why they’re thankful for it. If they’re old enough to write this in a card – great! Otherwise, you can write the card for them and they can sign it. You can turn the practice of writing thank you cards into a fun activity by providing craft supplies and encouraging your child to decorate them.

In terms of when to send the card, it’s best to do so immediately. If you get delayed, it’s acceptable to send up to one month after the gift was received.

Until next week, Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Etiquette Lady

Here is a complete list of retailers currently carrying my deliciously crisp, locally-grown apples:

Ontario:

• Foodland
• Fortinos
• FreshCo.
• Giant Tiger
• Loblaws
• Sobeys
• Valu-Mart
• Walmart Supercentres
• Zehrs

Quebec:

• Loblaws
• Provigo

Atlantic Canada:

• Dominion
• Real Atlantic Superstore
• Save-Easy

Check back regularly as the store locator section of the redprinceapple.ca website will be updated throughout the season.

The Red Prince.

Remember, when teaching manners for everyday life, it’s important to model the desired behaviour yourself. Young children learn through observation and will mimic the actions of, and repeat the words spoken, by those around them. With this in mind, always practice being kind, courteous and respectful, so that in turn, your child acts this way too.

To kick off the season, here are a few basic etiquette tips to get your child behaving like a perfectly polished prince or princess!

 Always remind your little one to…

• Greet someone with a firm “hello.”
• Use “please” and “thank you.”
• Remain silent when others are speaking. Do not interrupt.
• Wash their hands after using the bathroom.

While your children are learning how to master these ‘simple rules of engagement’ remember to correct them politely when they fail to exhibit the proper behaviour.

Louise, The Etiquette Lady

Check back often for the latest news and developments on this delicious, premium apple, as well as tips from the Etiquette Lady.

You can also connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

I look forward to celebrating another delicious Red Prince apple season!

The Red Prince

Here are some tips to ensure that you’ll always be the toast of the town:

• At large events, rise to command the attention of the guests. At smaller events, rising is not necessary, although it is a sign of respect to rise to toast a special guest.
• Ensure everyone’s glass is full prior to giving a toast, but remember it doesn’t need to be an alcoholic beverage.
• If you are the person being toasted, do not raise your glass and drink to yourself – this is a definite faux pas! Stay seated, smile and do not touch your glass.
• Tapping glasses with a fork to get the audience’s attention is tasteless.
• Clinking glasses with others when toasting is not necessary; just raising your glass is sufficient.

 Wedding Reception Toasts

Wedding toasts should always follow the order below:

• Best man toasts couple
• Groom toasts bride
• Bride toasts groom
• Father of bride toasts couple
• Bride toasts groom’s parents
• Groom toasts bride’s parents
• Maid of honour toasts couple
• Father of groom toasts couple
• Mother of bride toasts couple
• Mother of groom toasts couple

 When making a toast, always remember to speak from the heart, thank everyone for attending, be gracious and everyone will be touched. 

Louise Fox, The Etiquette Lady

How much should a guest spend on a wedding gift?

There is no set amount one should spend on a wedding gift. You spend what you can afford.  As with choosing any gift, consider your relationship with the couple, how long and how well you know them, your own financial means and how much help they need in furnishing their household. No one should be expected to overspend, no matter how close they are to the couple. You can express your heartfelt wishes for a happy life together in a hand written note accompanying the gift.

Today, buying the wedding gift from a gift registry is considered acceptable and allows guests to purchase items that the wedded couple wants and needs. Many guests prefer purchasing their gift off a registry as it’s convenient and they know their gift will be appreciated.  When registering, the couple should consider what they actually need according to their lifestyle and register gifts in a variety of price ranges. 

Word of mouth is still the only acceptable way to inform guests of the wedding registry. Including the information in the invitation is not appropriate as it focuses on the gift rather than the celebration of the marriage. It’s always up to the guests whether they choose to use the convenience of the guest registry.

The greatest gift of all is the “presence” of wedding guests rather than their “presents”. 

Louise Fox, The Etiquette Lady

Showers can be held by friends of the bride and groom, friends of the parents or co-workers. Bridesmaids are not required to host a shower, although they may choose to do so. Traditionally, showers are not held by the bride or groom’s immediate family.  However, if the bride lives away from home, the rules are often bent and the shower is held as a “welcome home” event. 

Normally, close friends, attendants and family members are invited to a shower. Shower guests are also invited to the wedding, with the exception of an office shower. 

Etiquette pointers:

• The hostess decides the number of guests.
• The maximum number of showers to have is two.
• Attendants and mothers are not required to bring a gift to every shower.
• Guests should only be invited to one shower.
• An encore bride can have a shower but it isn’t really appropriate to invite those who came to her first wedding. 
• Invitations can be the fill-in-the-blanks type.

 Shower gift etiquette:

• The purpose of the shower and its theme should be noted on the invitation.
• Don’t include the gift registry information, this will be provided if someone inquires.
• Gifts are opened after the food is served and the guests are thanked publicly.
• You are not required to send thank you notes if you thank the guests in person but it’s gracious to follow up.
• The bride should send a thank you gift to the hostess.

Louise Fox, The Etiquette Lady

• Do I need to send a formal invitation?
  Your invitation is the first indication of the style and formality of your wedding, so what you send is entirely up to you!
• When should I order and send out invitations?
  Allow at least six to eight weeks for the printing of formal invitations. Address them no later than two months before the wedding and mail them six to eight weeks before the big day.
     
• Can the bride and groom send out separate invitations?
  Yes.
• Can I send an email invite?
  Remember a marriage is a rite of passage and the invitation should reflect this. However, if an email reflects who you are and the style of your wedding, then go ahead with the electronic communication.
• What should I do about guests who ask to bring a guest?
  It is rude to ask to bring a guest who has not been listed on the invitation, and although it may be difficult, it is not impolite for you to refuse their request.
• Do I need to include partners if they aren’t married or are living together?
  Yes.
• Do I send an invitation to out of town guests who may not attend?
  If they are close friends, then you should invite them, even if you already know that they won’t be able to attend.
• What if someone asks to bring their kids or shows up with them?
  If you choose not to include children in your celebration, then politely explain to any of your invited guests who do have kids, that you would prefer for them not to bring them to the ceremony. If do they happen to show up with their children, be gracious and do the best you can to accommodate them.
• Can you invite guests to the wedding and not the reception?
  No.
• Should the gift registry be included with the invitation?
  No.
• Are shower guests invited to the wedding?
  Yes.

I hope these answers help you navigate the minefield that is wedding invitation etiquette.

Louise Fox, The Etiquette Lady