DEAR MISS MANNERS: I own a small retail gift shop. I offer my clientele traditional gift certificates, printed on card stock, that have the recipient’s name, the sender’s name and the gift amount, all handwritten by myself.

For the past several years, a gentleman from the west coast has called and purchased a gift certificate for his sister who lives here locally. It’s a considerable amount each year.

She came in once and requested a hand-blown glass item that was out of stock. I have since had them restocked, but she hasn’t returned.

I keep detailed notes of each gift certificate sold and redeemed. This past year, when the brother called, I didn’t mention to him that his sister hasn’t been redeeming the certificates. I thought it gauche. But I did send a polite note with her next gift,

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