My daughter didn’t receive a gift, but all others did. What to do?

Dear Polite One,

For some reason, my adult niece gave gifts to all the children at our Christmas party except my 12-year-old. I was stunned.

Since we never discussed a cutoff age for gift-giving, should I ask her if the gift was misplaced. My daughter needs to write a thank you note if there was a gift. If she didn't give, should I still give gifts to her child?

Thank you.

Stunned

Dear Stunned,

I am so sorry and hope your daughter wasn't too humiliated. Your niece should have mentioned the missing gift before the party, so you could have discussed it with your daughter.

It wouldn't be appropriate to contact her about the gift because it might appear as if you are requesting one. However, you might want to talk to her about future gift-giving situations stating that you noticed that she doesn't seem to want to give to older children anymore. This could give you the information you need, plus it needs to be resolved before the next family event.

It is your choice to give to her child or not. If she gave to yours up to this year, it seems fair to continue until her child is 12. But, then again, it is your choice.

Sincerely,

The Polite One

More by The Polite One

Brother agreed to no gifts but gave anyway–what to do?

Was it wrong to give a gift to her husband?

Is a military going away party a gift-giving event?

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...

How to handle impolite friends?

What is friend etiquette? Hello Polite One, Have two friends who fight because one is jealous of the other. Both put me in the middle because I'm friends with both of them. It's frustrating! I still want to be friends with both, but I'm tired of the fighting. Neither is right, but neither is wrong. It's just wrong to want me to fix their problems. What is the friend etiquette here? And how to deal with my friends? Pulled Apart by Friends Dear Pulled Apart by Friends, It may be best to change the rules all of you have been playing by in the past. There is nothing wrong with telling them not to put you in the middle. Inform both that you want to be friends with each of them, but that you don't want to hear anything negative about the other. Be firm that you won't take sides. This way you can be friends with both and not be viewed as taking sides. Regards, The Polite One She Hurts My Feelings! Dear Polite One, ...

Got Etiquette Advice?

Search This Blog