DEAR ABBY: I was recently invited to a birthday party for one of my friends. Although I had a gift, I had not considered buying a card to go with it. My mother said it is rude to give gifts without a card. What do you think? -- DANA IN SAN DIEGO
DEAR DANA: It isn't "rude" to give a gift without including a card or note with it; it is impractical to do so without identifying the giver. How else will the recipient know whom to thank?