Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Silly etiquette question, but is it okay to use our engagement gifts before the wedding? My mom thinks that we should keep them at her house until after the wedding, but I think if it's an "engagement gift" that we should be able to use them now. Your thoughts please . . .

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I don't see why not. We got FH's cousin gifts for their engagement party, and she sent us a thank you card stating they are already using their gifts!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I heard its bad luck to use them before the wedding. I dont know why, but I am sticking to this.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I think technically, you aren't supposed to use engagement or shower gifts but, we are! We just moved in together and pretty much needed everything so luckily we got some useful gifts!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

We are using most of them... pots, towels, tea pot, garbage can, frames, popcorn maker, coffee maker, toaster... but I am saving the good sheets for the real deal!!!

Message edited 2/16/2006 10:34:29 PM.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

the only gift we used before the wedding was the dyson vacuum b/c the person who gave it to us wanted to try it out and once we had used it once I felt it was ok to keep using it. We did not use any of the other gifts before the wedding though.

I can say that the reason for not using e-gifts, shower presents, and early wedding presents in general is a good idea since some weddings unfortunately never occur. I for one, would want to be able to return the things to people. As for checks, I would deposit them, but I would have reimbursed anyone for their gift had my DH and I not gotten married. I think that is the right thing to do.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Use and enjoy! We just moved into an apartment together and we opened up all of our gifts - everyday plates, appliances, etc. and I'm so glad we did

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

i think you can definately use them if you want!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

We used just about everything we recieved as gifts before the wedding.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

We tried not to use things, but a few things got used that we really needed. We didn't live together before we got married sooo that made it a little easier.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I haven't used anything because I want everything to be new when I move into FH's house.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Why not? It is an "engagement" gift and not a wedding gift - I say use away!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Well, we just got a new apartment together, and if we didn't use the gifts, we wouldn't have anything. It would be stupid to go and buy all the stuff we have already all over again, so yes, we have been using the gifts. They sat in my parent's house for a year.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Some people use the gifts ($$) to pay for the wedding!

I would!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

we didn't use anything before the wedding. Everything stayed in boxes at his parents house. We didn't live together until after the wedding so we didn't think it proper. But i really don't see why you couldn't. They were "engagement" gifts to celebrate your engagement.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I'm in the minority I think- I used engagement gifts and just started digging into the shower gifts.

The only thing we won't use until after the wedding is the bedding.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Thanks ladies! We aleady decided to use the coffee maker (against my mom's wishes), but now I think we might bring over a few more necessities (really cooking items). I'll leave the rest with her to keep her somewhat happy:)

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

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Posted by melissa&carmine

Why not? It is an "engagement" gift and not a wedding gift - I say use away!

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Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I don't believe in superstitions.. so I say use the gifts now!!!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I would think its ok to use them.. if you need them..use them! What are you going to do if you don't?? go out and buy the same thing cause you need it?? that would be silly!!! Just use them!

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

I tried not to use them, b/c of the bad luck thing, but then if i needed somehting, I used it.

But it got addicting and I started to use most of my gifts. But some stuff, like pillows and nice bedding, I am saving till after the wedding

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

Mine are all in a closet, only because I live at home still.
I don't see why you shouldn't use them. I don't believe in superstitions. (Bad Luck).

I see it this way, if you marrige goes bad its because something went wrong between the two of you along the way. Not because you opened a engagment gift before the wedding.

Message edited 2/17/2006 10:29:42 AM.

Re: Engagement gifts - to use or not to use

We didn't touch any of our gifts till after we got
home from our honeymoon. DH wanted to but
I just couldn't.