Ask Rosemary

Rosemary is our resident expert on party planning, party favors, fun recipes and great gift prize ideas.

If you would like to Ask Rosemary for ideas to help plan your next party please fill out our Inquiry Form detailing your information. Your question and Rosemary's response will be listed below within one week.

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Rosemary, My husband passed away on December 3, 2007. I received flowers and plants from "The Board of Directors" and "Friends" from his company. I will be sending a card, but need some help. My husband was well known throughout the company and had many friends. I want to write more than a few sentences. I want the words to come from my heart, but also be professional. This is a very well known company in the United States.
	Dear Friends/Family, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the thoughtful gifts you sent. The flowers and plants truly brighten the room and lift my mood. I know Sam would appreciate your kind gestures. He spoke often of his friendships with his many co-workers; I know you all meant a great deal to him. Many of you expressed such beautiful sentiments that I have no trouble seeing why Sam enjoyed his work so much. Being surrounded by people like you was a large part of why Sam liked to go to work each day. Thank you all so much for your kind words, your generous gifts, and most of all, for your friendship with Sam. Knowing you will miss him too makes my burden a bit easier to bear. Sincere regards,
I like the idea of the wishing well for cards and gift cards. This way the guests will not feel obligated to bring a gift. However you cannot tell them no gift is necessary (your gift will be your presence) and then ask for a gift card. You could add: Let's make this a real celebration for Mom. She loves to shop! Your gift card will be greatly appreciated. There will be a wishing well for cards and gift cards.
	I like the idea of the wishing well for cards and gift cards. This way the guests will not feel obligated to bring a gift. However you cannot tell them no gift is necessary (your gift will be your presence) and then ask for a gift card. You could add: Let's make this a real celebration for Mom. She loves to shop! Your gift card will be greatly appreciated. There will be a wishing well for cards and gift cards.
Rosemary, We are planning a housewarming party but our house is very small and would like to only ask for gift cards to place that we need things from such as: a new toilet or patio funiture. Would this be rude? How can I word that in the invitation? Thank you!
	It is difficult to ask for what you want to be given as a gift. However, you could play up the theme of the "fund". Have an object decorated in the entrace foyer or some part of the house where the guest enter. You could decorate a cardboard box and label it the Wish List Fund. On the invitation you could include: We want to share our new home with you. Come visit and enjoy the refreshments. In lieu of gifts we are asking for gift cards for our Wish List fund. We are trying to purchase patio furniture and a new toilet.
I was struggling with a test that I had taken many times in order to finish my degree. I had a great deal of people praying for me. I finally passed my test and I would like to send them all a Thank you card thanking them for their prayers and concerns. Can you give me an idea of what to say and can I send a card to everyone with the same wording?
	Thank you for your prayers and love during this important time in my life. I feel so fortunate to have your support. Y our presence in my life is a true treasure.
What is an appropriate monetary amount for a high school graduation gift?
	Any amount you can afford comfortably is acceptable. My suggestion would be at least $10.00 and upwards.
My mother passed away just over a month ago unexpectedly. I would like to send out thank you cards to my friends for Mass Cards they sent and also for donations some of them have made to a charity in my mother's name. Could you please help with the wording for the Mass cards and also for the donations? Thank you!
	I am sorry for your loss. You could write: Thank you for remembering my mother. Your kindness has helped me bear my terrible loss.
I have a very good friend who is moving on to different things and I just want to tell her how much her friendship has meant to me and that I know she will sxcel in whatever venture she chooses in the future but I don't know how to word it right. What I just said seems very clinical and I want to be more personal than that. Thanks.
	"Jane" your friendship has been a true blessing. I am so fortunate to have shared some life experiences with you. I am happy that you are following your heart's desires. I realize that we will always be friends and this makes your leaving alittle easier to accept. I am confident that you will succeed in whatever you choose to do. Good luck and wishes for happiness and success, my dear friend.
What and how do you write on an invitation card for two companies merging as one? The two companies are holding a bonding/get to know each other party.
	Please join Company A and Company B on (date, time and place) to celebrate our merger. It's a time to exchange names, socialize and meet your fellow peers.
I am retiring in 4 weeks and would like to write a note to the people I have continuing contact with by phone only. do you have any suggestions as to wording. They do work for the same company but in other regions and I have not met some of them, but they are helpful and cheerful when I speak to them. Thank you.
	I am assuming that you want to make them aware of your retirement? If this is the case, you could write something like: Just a note to thank you for your continued help in our past dealings together. I will be retiring on (date). I wish you continued success.
Dear Ms. Rosemary, I am a college student on a budget and I want to send out thank you cards for graduation money. What can I put on all my cards for everyone?
	Congratulations! You could write a general note: Thank you for being here to celebrate my special day. Your prayers and support have helped me get this far and I am counting on your continued support.

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Disclaimer:  The Ask Rosemary questions are for information purposes only and not to be construed as the final authority.
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