ernes L meda

The Scene

CUCINE

The Exquisite Taste
Of Italy
Prepared Especially
For Your Kitchen.

Designer: Castiglia Associati

'Tis the season
of weddings:
A few tips for
singles on
how to avoid
the poorhouse.

•

STYLE I ELEGANCE I SERVICE I SOPHISTICATION

Everyone uses the same words, we'll show you what they mean.

SCAVOLINI

IV
AM Hearth

•

Kitchens

KITCHEN & BATH

AT THE BLOOMFIELD AVENUE SHOPS

6151 Haggerty Road • West Bloomfield, MI • Tel. 248/ 669-2211 • Fax: 248/ 669-0311

experiomce Ma Magic

ALL ABOUT

CRUISES
INCORPORATED

AMERICA'S AWARD WINNING CRUISE AGENCY

2 for 1 eraise SPECIALS...20-70%
ON 1999 CRUISES! •

All Destinations • All Dates

I Senior Discounts*

SOUTH AMERICA • EUROPE • ALASKA • PANAMA CANAL • CARIBBEAN

eau 149

for AU
year haVee mods!

7/23
1999

108 Detroit JeWi'sh News

1-800-343-8970

http://www.al I aboutcru ises.com

Your Presence

•

a

ELANA HARRIS
Special to the Jewish News

etting mar-
ried is an
excuse to get
lots of new stuff.
At least that's the way it
seems to the happy couple's sin-
gle friends, who fear they may go
broke from buying engagement,
shower and wedding gifts.
In this prime wedding season,
here are ideas for staying solvent
while fulfilling your obligations as an
honored friend and wedding guest.
• Gather Your Other Single
Friends: One of the best ways to buy
a nice gift -- like the $220 Waterford
vase the bride registered for -- with-
out spending a ton of money, is to go
in on it with friends. Find other sin-
gles who aren't overjoyed by the
prospect of giving one placesetting of
flatware as a present and combine
your funds. Not only will the gift be
nicer, but maybe the other per-
son will even offer to go
shopping.
• Mom Knows Best:
Console your mother
about your single status
by calling her for gift-
buying advice. Help your
mom feel useful and tell
her that you don't know
where to go to look
for a present.
One time my
mom was so excited
that I wanted her
help, she ended up pick-
ing out the gift, paying
for it, and had it sent to

me so I could
give it to the
couple. If all
goes well, like
it did in my
case, she'll
never ask you
to repay her.

• Play Hooky: Whether it's a
friend you haven't seen since college,
a colleague you never really liked, or
your old roommate who's already had
four showers, sometimes it just does-
n't pay to go to the next pre-wedding
festivity. Say you're sorry, but you'll be
out of town that weekend.
If you don't attend, a gift isn't
mandatory. It may be a good idea to
lay low that weekend, though, just in
case.
• Go With The Flow: Some peo-
ple assume that as soon as their
friends get engaged, they're obligated
to buy them an engagement gift.
They're wrong.
Unless you want to, or
unless they have an
engagement party you
attend, a present's not
necessary. Be patient and
let the invitations come
to you, which they will,
and only spend your
money on the necessary
occasions.
• Re-gift: All Seinfild
fans know that giving
someone a gift that some-
one else gave you isn't
cool, but what else are
you going to do with
that ceramic picture