Correspondence: Dr and Hubby, Grieving Brother-In-Law

The wife is a doctor, so how to address the envelope?

Dear Polite One,

I am a doctor and need to send out invitations. Is the form correct for my return address: Sam and Dr. Jane Brown.

Doc Brown

Dear Doc Brown,

Although this form is not too off, this is the best form: Dr. Jan and Mr. Sam Brown. You are mentioned first because of your status.

The Polite One

How to acknowledge an anniversary after my sister’s death?

Dear Polite One,

My sister passed away last year. This is my brother-in-law's first year without her for what would have been their 40th anniversary. I want to let him know that he is still family even though she is gone and acknowledge the anniversary somehow. Would a card be appropriate?

Visitor

Dear Visitor,

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

A letter might be the best way of conveying your feelings, as a card is a bit too generic. Write about your memories of times that all of you spent together while stating that all of you are forever family. This might help him through this difficult milestone date.

Sincerely,

The Polite One

Posts of Interest

Rules: thank you notes, sympathy letters...

How to Write Condolence Letters

Importance of Thank You Notes

Comments

How to address a divorced woman? Mrs or Ms?

Dear Polite One, Should I use "Mrs." or "Ms." when sending correspondence to a divorced woman? Wondering from Kansas Dear Wondering from Kansas, Both Mrs. and Ms. are proper when addressing a letter to a divorced woman. If you choose to use Mrs., you will use her first name and last name: Mrs. Jane Brown. However, Ms. is the most common title for women these days, because marital status does not define any of us. Sincerely, The Polite One More by The Polite One Too late to send an invitation to Bat Mitzvah? How to reschedule a retirement party? Mother-in-law added names to the guest list!

What is proper birthday party etiquette?

Guests Contribute to College Fund Dear Polite One , My son turns five next month and I want to inform all guests to contribute to his college fund. He has enough toys and I must consider his future. How do I list this on the invitation? Will an evite work? Wants Donations Dear Wants Donations, I’m sorry but this would be most impolite . Hosts never request cash or any type of monetary contribution for a child’s birthday. If your child is lucky enough to have all his needs met, you could inform guests not to give gifts. This would be best. Good luck! Sincerely, The Polite One Host Wants Guests to Host Dear Polite One, What should I do? My daughter’s best friend is having a birthday party. Her mother has requested all parents attend to help monitor the children while they play at a local miniature golf course. Plus, we are all expected to pay our cost and that of our child. Help! Dear Help! Yikes! This i...

Do I give a gift or what?

Do I or do I not gift a gift? That is the question. In our gift-crazy society, attending social events can be quite confusing. Some are traditionally gift-giving events , while others are not. Fold in the ever-changing etiquette...well, that’s enough to drive a person to scream out loud, “What do I do now!?” I hope the next two situations alleviate some of your gift anxieties. How to State No Gifts on Invitation? Dear Polite One, We are planning a surprise 70th birthday party for my grandmother and we are wondering how to say that gifts are not necessary on the invitations. I know that it is not proper to state “no gifts please” on the invitation, but we are just looking for a tactful way to state this so her friends and other distant family members do not feel obligated to bring a gift. If you have any other great ideas please share them with us. No Gifts Dear No Gifts, Actually because so many are expecting gifts for all event...

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