DEAR ABBY: I attended a bridal tea this weekend and saw something I had never seen before. I wonder, have things changed this much?
As the guests arrived, their gifts were taken from them and carried over to a display area where they were opened by assigned people and put on display, without the future bride seeing the gift at all until it was put on display.
Why would people go to the trouble of wrapping a gift with beautiful paper and ribbons on it if the bride is never to see it? I was appalled and thought this was in very poor taste. Am I wrong, or is it proper? -- CONFUSED
DEAR CONFUSED: I have never heard of this practice at traditional bridal showers. However, if the bride's family is from another culture, that might account for it. Without knowing more of the facts I cannot make a judgment.