Wedding gift lists 1930s

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I find these lists in local newspapers fascinating, especially as I have always lived in this area and have done a fair bit of history research on it, so I know a lot of the names. I have just been reading the report of an upper class one in a village church, father a Lieut. Col. and past master of the local hunt, groom a captain in the West Kents. Eight bridesmaids!
   The gift list runs to nearly 2 columns, and I ask myself what on earth they did with it all. Apart from the very close family, most of the gifts are quite basic; local doctor, mirror; Mrs M-C, wastepaper basket; landowner, cruet; Lord and Lady L, umbrella. There are some more interesting things from some and many more dull things from (probably) the poorer people. (And at least 2 sets of fish knives and forks )
    And being a well brought up girl, did she have to write thank-you notes to them all?

[GR2]

THE BOOK OF ETIQUTTE, by Lady Troubridge  (1926) says:

"Wedding presents should be acknowledged promptly by letter."

[Viktoria]

I would not have made a list.
People did not have a lot of money ,so I left it to them, but if asked ,as at the
Nursery School where I trained I asked for a tea set, there were a lot of staff so a modest contribution would have been ample .
Got two sets of cutlery, another tea set from my husband’s staff.
Sheets, a bedspread,a biscuit barrel, a bedside rug ( only one  )
A bread bin, lace tablecloth,another bedspread- candle wick, towels.
Two kitchen chairs , a second hand kitchen table,a coffee table from my husband’s brother and sister.
A table lamp.
Can’t remember anything else.
Have one or two items still.
Things for ordinary people were much more modest,a nice afternoon tea with ham and chicken,salad, bread and butter .
Trifle and fancy cakes.
No alcohol as it was in the Church hall.
Lots if cups of tea.
Well it was. a good job not much was spent as it only lasted 58 years.
Viktoria.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  This couple were lent the "big house" for the reception, I suppose it was even bigger than the Old Rectory!

[dowdstree]

When my mother in law married in 1937 her  bridesmaid - also her younger sister - took her to Woolworth and gave her £5 to spend on home essentials.

I still have the Rolling Pin, Mixing Bowl and teaspoons she bought. My sisters in  law have a number of items too.

A very practicle present and good old Woolies for value for money.

Dorrie

[mazi]

Our list was made rather in hope than expectation, however fifty eight years and six days down the line and we have just this minute had an apple crumble cooked in the indestructible Pyrex dish, and used the same cutlery.

Mike

[Top-of-the-hill]

  Ah yes - Pyrex dishes! We had a few of those. There are still 2 at the back of the kitchen cupboard, but they don't get much use, if any.

[Erato]

We got two pyrex dishes.  They're still going strong after more than 50 years, and I use them every week.

[Treetotal]

I didn't make a list as I found it embarrassing, if asked, I said towels or table linen. I also got Pyrex dishes, one oval with a flower decoration and the other had pale blue stripes, both had clear lids. I was given two canteens of cutlery, one of which had the king's pattern designed handles which were Viner's stainless steel. I still have some pieces of it. My son now has the Seiko carriage clock that is still going strong.
My Grandma knitted me 3 dish cloths and 3 floor cloths
Carol