Should Gifts Be Expected?

• Generally speaking, gifts are given for the bridal shower or the wedding, not the engagement. Friends or family members who are particularly close to the couple may choose to give engagement gifts, but registry information should never be shared in an engagement announcement or party invitation. Instead, tell your family and close friends where you are registered and let them inform the guests who are interested in bringing gifts.
  
  

Receiving Gifts at the Engagement Party

• Unless specifically requested by the gift-giver, do not open gifts at your engagement party. Doing so alienates guests who did not bring gifts. Privately thank the guests who brought gifts and inform them that you will be opening your gifts after the party. As you open the gifts, keep careful track of which guest gave which gift and mention the item specifically in your thank-you note.
  
  

Follow Up Promptly

• Send hand-written thank you notes to the givers of any engagement gifts as soon as possible, but no more than three weeks after the engagement party. The thank you notes for engagement gifts should be sent separately from the thank you notes for bridal shower or wedding gifts, even if you receive all of the gifts in quick succession. Make each note personal and include a mention of the gift that you received.
  
  

Giving a Gift to Your Future Spouse

• In many parts of the world, a wedding proposal is accompanied by the giving of a ring. The partner who receives the ring, typically the bride-to-be, is not obligated to give a gift in return, but it is perfectly acceptable to do so. Some suitable gifts are an engraved watch, a set of formal cufflinks or a treasured family heirloom, such as a pocket watch. If the partner who gave the ring, typically the groom-to-be, wishes to give his intended spouse an additional gift, a piece of jewelry that has been passed down from his mother or grandmother is a traditional choice.