Hi Krustytopp, I've been dealing with an invasion of little critters recently, that may be mice - but on the other hand, they don't look quite like garden-variety mice ... more like junior sized rats. Anyway ... ... the tracking that they leave behind to let you know of their presence is quite similar, whichever they are and is here ... in quantity. I'm busy gathering those little black, elongated pellets up, to add to the compost pile. I could perhaps send some to you (possibly labelled as "by-products - of little commercial value" to satisfy the concerns of the postal folks) to take with you when you visit the store that dribbled away the value of your "gift " card/certificate on you. Maybe they'd like some of it scattered along their "service" counter ... ... or you could suggest to them that you could drop some of it among their merchandise, e.g. sweaters, socks, underwear, etc. - to about equal value of the stuff that they denied you. Or, if they have a snack bar, on the tables in there? How about on their check-out counter? I'll bet the check-out staff person would be impressed with that! How long do you think that it'd take for them to get cleaning staff to show up? Do you think that the check-out staff person would still be in attendance at her/his counter by the time of the cleaner's arrival?? Seems like a fitting reminder of your visit, don't you think? Have yourself a lovely week. ole joyful P.S. Hey - I just thought of a better idea. Ask to see the manager. Drop some in his pocket. Tell him that you think that a fitting response to his company's having stolen value out of yours! I think that'd be a fitting conclusion to your visit to his store! Don't you?? On the other hand ... ... if you took the stuff in a Zip-loc bag, showed it and suggested to the various staff people along the route that I mentioned that you were thinking of doing what I suggested, that what did they think about that idea? Ending with your discussion with the manager. I'll bet that they'd remember your visit for a while! On your next visit to the store, you could ask to speak to the manager again ... ... and remind him of your displeasure at your treatment by his store. Mention that you still had that little bag at home ... That you hadn't bought anything at their store today ... ... and wouldn't be doing so for a while. And that you'd been telling several friends of your unhappiness - for months, now. That they'd all had a good laugh at your story - and thought you amply justified in what you'd done. Just thought that he'd like to know. Give him the bag. Just mention in passing that you have another like it at home. No - you didn't threaten them/him with anything. You were just considering certain possible future actions. o j

Traditionally, at least around here, it is the best man's responsibility to take care of this. But practically speaking, I think the MOH usually takes care of it. When a wedding is at a hotel the MOH can take the cards and have them put in a safe, either at the front desk or in her room, handing them over to the couple later (I've done this when I was MOH, or just assigned the task). Gift tables often have a silver tray or something subtle for the cards to go on (open basket, etc.). Or people just put them on the table and the BM or MOH collects them after all the guests have arrived (people here do it that way, they don't walk around with the card and hand it to the bride). In our case, I had the wedding coordinator for the function hall put them in her safe, she handed them to me with some other items when we were leaving (I had my father take the gifts). The worse thing I ever saw was a wedding in NY where the bride walked around with a bag (like a decorated pillow case) collecting cards. I was embarrassed for her.

Sigh, the only gift card I received was from my brother for Home Depot - and he put it in a three dimensional maze I had to solve before I could get to it. come to think of it they do have lots of gardening and how-to books. I only gave books to a teenage first cousin, once removed. He has started reading science fiction so I gave him two Heinleins -- Red Planet, a juvenile, and The Door into Summer which the grandfather he never knew loaned to me when I was a kid. And Bester's The Stars My Destination which is currently my "best science fiction book ever written." We will see how he likes the classics. Woodnymph, sorry to say L'Engle's Certain Women has been completely forgotten by me except for the title -- and that is probably from seeing it on the shelf. Rosefolly, I'd love that Edith Head book myself. I remember reading a fascinating bio of her decades ago. Have I ever mentioned to you that the dvd of Double Indemnity has some extras about the costume design. Apparently Stanwyck had a broad behind that Head had to design for. Who knew?

"For family in Australia, I picked a nice store in the area after doing research online. Then emailed the store asking how to buy and send a gift card. I ended up charging the gift card on my credit card, and the store sent the card directly to the recipient." +1! You can also shop on line at many stores and have them send the gift out, sometimes by their own truck. Even fresh food picnic baskets, of all things. Beats those vague "gift" cards and beats Amazon hands down. We did this with a case of wine from Harrod's. E Z P Z.