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The New Rules of Gifting

Why “No Boxed Gifts” is Becoming the Norm

B.R. Shenoy
Mid-Knight Falls
Published in
3 min readJan 6, 2025

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Boxed gifts
Image by Pixabay from Pexels

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.Leonardo da Vinci

Lately, I’ve noticed something interesting on party invitations: “No boxed gifts” or “Gifts in blessings only.” It’s a clear shift from the way things used to be. Even at dinner parties, when I bring a small gift — flowers, wine, or even jewelry— the reaction is sometimes lukewarm, like I’ve broken some unspoken rule.

At the time of my wedding, we didn’t even have a registry. Back then, I thought it was tacky to tell people what to buy. Gifts were supposed to be thoughtful and personal, but that often left a lot of room for…interpretation.

Case in point: someone gifted us a crockpot. A thoughtful gesture, sure — but I’ve never used it. That crockpot has been sitting in my parents’ basement for years. I didn’t have the heart to return it, but I also didn’t have a need for it. It’s the perfect example of why registries and the “no boxed gifts” trend make so much sense today.

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Mid-Knight Falls
Mid-Knight Falls

Published in Mid-Knight Falls

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B.R. Shenoy
B.R. Shenoy

Written by B.R. Shenoy

Former Nomad/Expat on 3 Continents•Editor: The Shortform, Dancing Elephants Press, Good Vibes Club, & The Heritage Pub•MS Toxicology• BS Biochemistry•Mom of 2

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