Wedding Knife Superstition

Here's a superstition for you: It is bad luck to give knives as wedding presents. Supposedly it will "cut the ties that bind" the couple. The bad luck may be overcome by giving the giver something silver. This resulted in a hilarious mixup at my own wedding. My mother was horrified that my cousin, Cathy, gave us knives. She badgered me all through the reception until I gave Cathy a dime, which she was reluctant to take. I later found out the the Cathy who gave the knives was my other cousin (we have a Cathy on both sides of the family), who was unable to attend. I never told my Mom. I've been married for 25 years. So much for that old wives' tale!