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tho ughts on bea uty . fashion.. bridai gits' FLOWERS BEAUTIFY A WEDDING and add their own spécial meaning. Custom of flowers for the bride goes back to ancient times, is stili very much with us today. gifting the bride & n>room What remains traditional in the art of wedding gift- ing is one's reason for giv- ing: a blend of economics and sentimentality' . . . a show of genuine affection or a display of affluence. A small appliance gift, such as a toaster or blend- er,, seems to be no longer as desirable to receive, probably in part due to marny young people leav-. ing home, setting up apart- ments and obtaining such items before tying the nup- tuai knot. Cash, or checks, once considered gauche to give the newly-wedded, (ex-. ception: long-lasting cus- tom among some ethnic groups) has been given a more tolerant nod. When economies pre- vent expansive gifting, a hand-crafted item, 'some- thing kcnown to be the cou- ple's taste and lifestyle (some neediepoint work or a crocheted afghan in the right colors) would be warmly received. Time, ef- fort and love are always appreciated. Yesterday's 'Baby Boom' Cornes Full Cirele with Today's Wedding band The "baby boom" gener- ation, bomn 1945-1955, has grown up and is now bus- ily mailing out wedding invitations. Undoubtediy, there's a lot of wedding gift shopping ahead. And a lot of puzzling over what to buy. That>s why the Jewel- ry Industry Council, with its gift suggestions for to- day's bride and groom, can be the best friend a wed- ding ever had. A 'well-developed taste for the 'iner things' plus an emphasis on home en- tertaining characterize the newlyweds. Something for their first home, then, is a sensible wedding gift idea that can have elegance, too. The Council suggests a stop at the jewelry store where the bride has reg- istered ber pattern choices - and iieeds - in silver, china, crystal. Besides find- ing gift ideas in -the Bidai Registry, the wedding gf shopper avoids duplica- tions, disappointment, and the incon-venience caused by a, present that has to be exwhanged. Working within the guidelines of the Bridai Registry and concentrating on the traditional elegance of silver, china, and crystai, it's easy to find a wedding gift for the modern, at- home couple. In silver flatware, extra teaspoons or saiad forks that can double as dessert silver, taîl drink spoons, the basic serving pieces, or perhaps a platter spoon, a combination lemno/live/ pickle fork - and ail in the bride's chosen pattern- are hostess helpers. In silver holloware, trays of every size, multipurpose bowls, covered serving dishes, a coffee service will certainly create instant ele- gance for the new bride who is also a, working bride, And don't forget the shiny touches she'll want for ber everyday table: cau- dieholders, napkîu rings. For speciai effects, she'l waut silver ash trays,,a bud THE BRIDE'S GUIDE Su plement of The Canadian Statesman, March 10, 1976 p 1