How to... present?

Oh these endless books of etiquette! How to sit, how to stand, how to go and how to eat. Etiquette came into even such personal affair as giving gifts. It seems to me that I know everything about process of presenting. I have never thought about the trifles. At least I did not want to think of them. My newest theory says "Never say never". And now, I am, a person who knows enough about the world, looking through the books in order to find out how it is correct to do – to present my gift in order to make process interesting and correct. At least I have a goal – I want to make a hero of an occasion something pleasant. Plus I want him to remember my gift, and all feelings that are connected with it. It means that he will keep only warm memories about me. It is an important base for building relationship and communication.

So, they don't recommend pulling out a present right at the door or in the hall. A guest should put off his overcoat, put in order make-up and only after than he/she is to go into the room of a celebration. Here it is used to congratulate a hero. It is better to make before going to the table. Perhaps it must be very funny to remember in the end of a party that you forgot about a gift.

At the wedding celebrations sometimes it is common to leave the presents on a special table. It is obligatory to put into a box a card with your name and some nice words. It is not considered to be impolite. Ordinary after a wedding ceremony and a party a young couple will be glad to learn who made the gifts.

Personally a present is given with left hand; right hand is to be free in order to shake hands if it is needed. The presents are not given with something like whisper "Here it is". It is better to be ready to tell some nice and warm words. Actually they are to be really nice, the words like "I did not know what to bring, and that is why it is all I could found" or "It is something I have been dreaming for all my life about. So, I am sure you enjoy it!". The verses are not an obligatory as well, just in the case if a giver is a child or a poet.

Last thing a master wants to hear is how you have been searching for this present. Maybe other guests would like to tell about their search. Perhaps instead it is better to toast to a hero of an occasion.

Big presents (like a washing machine or a bicycle) are ordered beforehand and it is better to receive the gift right at the time of a party.

Sometimes, when a presents is big, expensive or electronic, it is much recommended to keep a pay-check and put it into a box with a gift. Who knows, perhaps a new owner of a thing would need it once. It is interesting that in the USA (very practical and economical people, I must to say) they put check into a box with ANY gift. It is considered to be a very polite action. Perhaps a receiver would not like a gift and he would like to change it at a shop. Many shops work in such a way, of course.

Another item is a presents for children. The psychologists are sure that the kids are quickly tired with the numerous presents. That is why it is better to keep off some presents for the better time or to make a game when the children are seeking for the gifts together or a game when a holiday child is looking for the gifts alone.

Giving presents is like a usual process which we can transform into a holiday. It is an ability to show a person that he/she is very dear, that he/she is valuable as a parent/a sibling/a friend... it is an opportunity to make a person a little bit happy. Well, at least everybody wants more attention even if he makes contrary impression. A part of your soul is a piece of somebody's happiness. So, present with open heart.