Running in Place

Posted @ Jun. 09 2011 10:46AM by Jane - uptown

Running in Place

This is the season of receiving multiple graduation announcements and wedding invitations. Traditionally, a recent graduate is immediately honored by the presentation of a $l00 bill inside a heart-felt, handwritten note on immaculate stationary. Wedding presents are either cash or an elegant item for the new lives of the Bride and Groom; a perfect choice made from their registry; depending upon your cultural or religious preferences.

All of us are feeling the economic status of our great United States of America. And it is relative, if you know what I mean. So, the question is: Can I now afford to send out $l00 to all of these graduates? Can I now afford those elegant wedding gifts I used to be able to afford with discretionary income?

My simple answer is this: No, I cannot this year. What I can do is send a heart-felt, handwritten note on immaculate stationary, written in black ink (preferably using a fountain pen) with my embossed address on a gold seal and they will understand. May I suggest, please do not send these darling, deserving young people starting out in this world an email of “Congratulations” or “Best Wishes”! Here is one more little issue to share…Greeting Cards. Even the most beautiful Hallmark card with those vapid messages which could never express “Me”, are not worth buying. The only greeting card I would EVER buy would be one which makes me laugh out loud right there in the store.

Jane Irons Coupe