How to Monogram a Gift

Monogramming a gift can elevate it from nice to wonderfully thoughtful, but remember that the present is now completely, absolutely nonreturnable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bed Linens
• Linens
• Jewelry
• Personalized Jewelry
• Crystal Ware
• Silverware
• Table Linens
• Tailor
• Electric Engravers

1. Use the occasions of bridal showers, weddings, anniversaries and graduations to give monogrammed gifts, though any occasion will do.
2. Follow traditions of monogramming table or bed linens, crystal, important jewelry and, of course, silverware.
3. Make absolutely sure the gift is correct in style, size, color and taste before monogramming.
4. Instruct the store to monogram either the first letter of a woman's first name, or the first letter of a man's last name when marking an item with just one initial. Tradition also dictates that it's his last name when doing a single initial for a married couple.
5. Use the first letters of both last names when the wife has kept her maiden name and you're electing to use four initials. So if Sally Mae Hansen marries Ben Rose and keeps the name Hansen, "SH & BR" are on everything.
6. Choose to use his surname initial and both first initials for couples who share his name. If Sally takes Ben's name, the monogram is now "sRb." Opting to use the wife's maiden initials (SMH) on linens is traditionally accepted, too.
7. Look at the bridal registry for a couple's monogramming style, if applicable. One usually only monograms pure silverware, unless the recipient requests otherwise.
8. Consult with a store's experts, but be aware that the choices are almost endless. Sally can choose silver to be marked "S," "SH," "SMH," "SMR" or just "R."
9. Understand that the more letters you choose, the more your monogramming project costs. And the costs can be substantial.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider not marking items at the time of purchase, and prepurchasing the engraving for a later time. This solves many problems (namely, which letters to use for the monogram and which monogramming style to choose) and addresses the biggest challenge of all: whether the recipient wants the engraving or marking in the first place.
• Consult with the experts. Obviously, silver, linens and crystal are all marked differently. Embroidery and engraving are expensive, delicate operations.
• Think hard about engraving crystal - it costs a fortune and can crack up in an instant.
• Make sure you send the gift to a reputable monogramming house. Check references.