I’ve been wanting to post about this for awhile now. Sarah inspired me today via Twitter. She posted this:
I call Emily Post’s Etiquette by Peggy Post, the blue book. It is wrapped in a beautiful blue cover with a simple design on the front. I love this book and refer to it often. I have the 16th Edition, but now there is a 17th Edition 
I have also been known to give it as a gift. It makes an awesome bridal shower gift. Seriously. It’s the right price point and will be used throughout a marriage.
Here are some of the topics covered in it:
- Correspondence-the appearance of personal letters (how to address them, when to send them, who to send them to).
- Job Interviews-questions and interviewer might ask you, your attire, meeting and greeting.
- Everyday Manners-going through doors, umbrellas, and chewing gum.
- The New Baby-baby showers, thank-yous, gifts, and religious ceremonies.
- Gifts for Special Occasions-anniversaries, business gifts, clients, and teachers.
But do you really want to know the main reason I give it as a bridal shower gift? A few years ago, some friends were getting married. They announced their engagement and we got an invitation to the engagement party. What disturbed me was the paperwork inside the invitation. There was more than one card stuck in there, with their bridal registry on it. I gasped. I called my friends. We discussed. You never enclose bridal registry information into an engagement party invite. Technically, per proper etiquette you are not supposed to include registry information in any type of wedding invitation.
So what did I bring to that engagement party? A card.
I’ve had some other issues with greedy friends and family, hence the gift idea. I always give Emily Post when I have no clue what to give the person, and/or the person needs deserves it.
Seriously, a great reference! You need it!
