Social Etiquette Tip of the Week - “No Gifts, Please”

[Maria Brady]

Most etiquette experts agree that it is never acceptable to include any instructions about gifts, even ‘no gifts please’ instructions, on an invitation. The hosts are supposed to be focused on the festivities at hand and not thinking about the possibility of getting gifts from the guests.

Nevertheless, if you're a guest at some point and receive an invitation with "no gifts" written on it, you should honor this request. "No gifts, please" means…no gifts. Showing up with a gift, when asked not to, would embarrass the hosts and make other guests feel uncomfortable for respecting this wish. If you want to give a gift, it should be done privately.