DEAR ABBY: This is for "Still Bugged in Illinois," whose thoughtful mother gave a bride and groom a gift of $20 (and she hadn't even been invited to the wedding). When the bride opened the envelope, she made a rude remark about the amount of the gift.
I fondly recall a much different response to a similar situation. Before the late Judy Garland married David Rose, a star-studded shower was held at the home of Judy, her mother and sister.
When I arrived and realized that my simple gift couldn't compare with the lavishly wrapped presents I saw, I became embarrassed. I hid my gift behind a potted plant, thinking I could give it to Judy privately after everyone had left the party.
Instead, her butler retrieved my present from behind the plant and added it to the others on the gift table. It was the very first gift Judy opened –- a copper silent butler for which I paid $6.95. It was all I could afford.
Upon opening it, Judy rushed over to me, gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you, Margie -– I love it!" The next gift was a complete portable bar from Joan Crawford, followed by a generous gift from Jimmy Stewart, etc.
"The bigger they are, the more gracious." -- MARGIE STEWART JOHNSON, STUDIO CITY, CALIF.
DEAR MARGIE: A gracious hostess would never humiliate a guest in her home, and Judy Garland was obviously a gracious hostess. Thank you for sharing your story.
P.S. I'm surprised Joan Crawford didn't also give Judy a set of wooden coat hangers.