| A bouquet of flowers, an elaborate, well chose | | | | never! Expressing a thought or a feeling? Well |
| card, an envelope containing a handwritten note | | | | many think so. |
| expressing our condolences in a very personal | | | | Nonetheless, be honest with yourself, when you |
| way. These are traditional and customary ways | | | | see a sympathy gift during a time of loss, how |
| of expressing sympathy and sadness during the | | | | do you feel? Do you think - a bottle of wine -- |
| loss of a dear friend or love one. But what about | | | | does it fit the occasion? Or worst yet - whose |
| giving a sympathy gift basket or sympathy gift | | | | celebrating now! Well, all joking aside, what a |
| during such occasions? Have you done so; or | | | | sympathy gift really says is our thoughts and |
| even consider it? | | | | hearts are with you. That trendy and modern; |
| It has often been said that traditions die hard. | | | | yes, but the statement behind the gift should |
| That may be true but when it comes to | | | | never be missed. |
| sympathy gifts, tradition comes head-on with | | | | Sure it breaks from the traditional flowers or card |
| trendy and modern at the most unexpected time. | | | | but it is gaining great popularity and a large |
| But isn't that often the case-- when you least | | | | following. Furthermore, many companies offer |
| expect it old meets new when we are most | | | | sympathy gifts as part of their regular gift |
| unprepared to deal with it. | | | | inventory. In fact, there are many specialty |
| During a time of loss flowers are said to express | | | | companies offering an exclusive line of such gifts. |
| the depth of our sadness and grief. A card | | | | They also employ consultants and experts skilled |
| speaks volumes when we are not able to vocalize | | | | in customizing your sympathy gift needs. |
| one syllable during such a time. Long-held traditions | | | | Also, wine companies for example, some have an |
| and beliefs certainly. The only way to express | | | | exclusive selection of wines with special packaging |
| sadness and sympathy, well that remains to be | | | | as sympathy gifts. It is the packaging themselves |
| seen. | | | | that conveys in a nutshell both the intent and the |
| Given the fact that we are well into the new | | | | meaning behind such a gift. In many cases that's |
| millennium, new and modern is the order of the | | | | all it takes - a note or straightforward message |
| day. This should surprise no one. Many long-held | | | | clarifying the presence of such a gift during the |
| traditions have, sooner or later, be challenged or | | | | time of loss. |
| questioned as the "only way" in all fields of life and | | | | Well, one might say, did I miss the curve; was I |
| experience, so why not during times of loss. | | | | sleeping during the change from tradition to |
| Sympathy gifts can range from a basket of fruit | | | | trendy as far as sympathy gifts are concerned? |
| and flowers to a bottle of wine; a candle, | | | | Well the answer is yes you have been! But that's |
| gourmet cheese, all in an elegant open weave | | | | not unusual. In fact one could say, is in keeping |
| basket with wooden handles. What could be | | | | with tradition and in fact customary. |
| wrong or out of place with that! Out of place | | | | |