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presentation
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
n. — Prairies, Social customs
a gift of money given at a wedding or wedding anniversary.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — OED-3 lists presentation in its meaning of "a present, gift, donation" as obsolete, with the latest attestation coming from the 18th century. However, in the Canadian Prairies, that meaning is still used, and it appears that it was used at least as early as the turn of century. Although presentation may refer to the act of handing over a gift, which is a common current meaning (see the 1900 quotation), note that in the quotations below starting in 1907 the term refers to the gift itself (see, e.g. the 1951 and 1983 quotations). By the 1950s, the term had acquired the primary meaning of the 'monetary gift' itself in the Prairie wedding context, and in the 1983 quotation, the term is cited as a marker Canadian Prairie usage.
See also COD-2, s.v. "presentation" (7.b), which is marked "Cdn (Prairies)".
See also COD-2, s.v. "presentation" (7.b), which is marked "Cdn (Prairies)".
Quotations
1900
The presentation was made at a reception held at the family residence in the evening at which a very large number of friends were present. The address, which was in French, was read by O. Tessier, and conveyed in complimentary terms the best wishes of the congregation for the long life of Mr. and Mrs. Duplessis and their family, and expressed the hope that they might all meet for the golden wedding which would celebrate their fifty years of married life. The address was accompanied by a unique and appropriate present, consisting of a silver salver containing 120 quarter dollars of the coinage 1899.
1907
On Dec. 31 1856 James Stewart, a prominent Hudson's Bay Co. official of Fort Garry was married to the daughter of Robert Mackay. On New Year's Day, 1907, they celebrated their golden wedding at Prince Albert. Mr. Stewart was one of those imprisoned by Riel in the winter of 1869 and 1870, and his wife cooked the daily meal for the prisoners during the two months. A party of old-timers surprised them with the presentation of a purse containing $400 in gold, accompanied with a suitable expression of good wishes and of appreciation of many good deeds.
1924
Many beautiful gifts were received by the happy couple. Venus Chapter Order of Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Greenwood had been Worthy Matron, held a shower for her last week, and on Christmas day St. Luke's Choir, of which she has been a valued member, made her a small presentation.
1951
The happy couple were the recipients of many good wishes and also a presentation from those present in the hall, at which they expressed sincere thanks.
1983
If you get invited to a wedding and the invitation says "presentations welcome" they don't want an introduction to Aunt Sarah. They want you to bring money.
2008
Ilham set her purse down to carry the snacks and coffee, and left the purse behind along with the wedding presentation money.
She got her big, green shiny bag back later that day -- minus the cash. The theft was a crushing blow to the two university students looking forward to starting their lives together with a little nest egg.
2016
There is also a tradition, generally in Western Canada, known as a Presentation Wedding. If you receive a wedding invitation that says 'presentation only', it does not mean that you must prepare a presentation on your relationship to the bride and/or groom and share it with everyone at the wedding.
Presentation is a nice way of saying that the bride and groom would prefer money as wedding gifts, instead of household items and appliances. Generally, there is a wishing well or other box near the entrance to the reception where wedding guests deposit their presentation envelope.
References
- OED-3
- COD-2