Thank-you note etiquette?

My mama always taught me to send a nicely written thank-you note for every gift I receive and, in general, I have tended to do that, but not always. In this modern world, with life passing so quickly, I think it's important to stop and acknowledge people's kindness. I know I always appreciate being thanked for the gifts I've given and others deserve the same respect.

However, this year I'm considering just doing a thank-you note E-MAIL or, better yet, a thank-you PHONE CALL for all those holiday gifts, instead.

Is that just plain tacky? :shrug: Thoughts? What do y'all do about acknowledging holiday gifts?? Who writes thank you notes for each and every holiday gift anymore??

Who has the time??

Other than in-person, a call is the most personal way you can communicate with someone.

thanking her for her lovely holiday gift and we had a good laugh about how we'd been thinking of emailing each other a thank-you note, but each thinking that was way too tacky....Still, it was good to talk and I agree with you, it's more personal.
:hi:

If you have the time do so. I buy plain notecards that are good for all occasions and keep them on hand at all times in a box w/ a good inkpen and some stamps. I find that people are very appreciative of a nicely written thank you note and will thank you for it for days on end.
You don't need a long note. Just a couple of lines will do it.

if I wasn't feeling so far behind with everything else lately, that's what I'd be doing, too.

I agree with you about how appreciative people are for being thanked, via hand-written note.

:hi:

Most people are busy this time of year and will understand.

good at them?? end of Feb?? :)

you've been leading a hectic life right now, you could still get away w/ it.
Make phone calls for now and followup w/ a note.
I know that if you were newly married you'd have from 12-16 weeks to get away w/ it. Just don't spread it out that long and you'll be fine. Remember, it's the thought that counts.

:)
thanks for your little timeline, btw. 12-16 wks, got it. heheh.

I've done it w/ my daughter's cards a couple of times. Nothing like getting a five year old to sit down and write numerous cards. We do one a day and no more.
If it takes us four months they'll just have to understand that she loves to send cards but sometimes Teen Titans is her top priority. And sometimes my highest priority is making supper.

They are required to write a thank-you note for each bd gift they get, every year. When they were little, your kid's age, it admitedly took a lot longer to get them out.

Like you said, it's a matter of priorities.

As long as we can teach them to be mindful of others and to be in Gratitude for life's blessings, I'm happy.
:)

If your principal means of communicating with someone is via email then a well written note of appreciation sent as email is just fine IMO. With everyone else, ask yourself who would appreciate a handwritten acknowledgement vs. a phone call and act accordingly. Your older relatives may be more enamored of a hand written note; your everyday friends may be content with a phone call or in-person acknowledgement.

Thanks!
:hi:

If you excange gifts, especially within the family, she doesn't send thank you notes.
You gave them something, they gave you something, everybody loves everybody, you already showed your appreciation for their gift by your gift, transaction complete.

The exception would be (fairly substantial) cash gifts to grandchildren from grandparents, etc.

You send thank-you notes as an appreciation for hospitality and kindnesses.
She ALWAYS sends a thank-you note to dinner hosts.

then definitely.

Also, I was kind of locked on to Christmas.
Birthdays, yes. Definitely send thank-you notes for any occasion when gifts are not exchanged.

I always, always send notes for dinners hosted at friends' homes. That's a steadfast rule of mine, too.

:hi:

those I've already thanked in person when they handed me a gift. I phone if they don't use email.

I always send a hand written note for any gift that was mailed or delivered by anyone other than the giver.

thanks for your input!
Sounds like you've got it all worked out. Good for you. :thumbsup:

It has worked well for me so far. :)

1. Handwritten thank you is at the top, taking the top 300 places




301. Telegram next
302. Phone call third


N-1. email comes in second to the last, just in case there's anything between phone and email; email says you don't care.
N. Cell phone text message is dead last; this says that not only do you not care, you don't care about not caring. In fact, if you're gonna do this, might as well abbreviate and just send "TX 4 GFT"

I write handwritten notes - what does it take, two or three minutes? "Thank you for the _______ - it's perfect, and I've already found a place to display it! (or use it, or whatever). Thanks much, Rabrrrrrr", (that will take maybe one minute) then hand write the address and the return address, let's say two minutes since you have to grab the address book, stamp it, and send it out.

I don't see why anyone should think that if someone goes out of their way to buy a gift and give it, that writing a thank you note would be considered "a time waster".

thank you?? That'd be pretty bad.

I agree a handwritten note is the best option and what I usually do...and encourage my kids to do, for that matter, as well. I guess I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed in the new year and behind in my basic administrative duties so it's stressing me out. blah, blah, blah..kvetch, kvetch.. ;)

I'll deal with it. It's just a matter of an hour or so of concentrated effort.

Thanks for your input! :hi:

a written note, sent by snail mail, is best. my opinion.

make the time - it's SO worth it to the person who receives your thanks. it doesn't take very long, really.

good luck w/ your decision, Shine :hi:

I'm just kvetching cuz I'm feeling behind with my admin tasks. I totally agree, handwritten notes are the absolute best and what I'll end up doing.

It won't take that long, and it makes such a big difference. :hi:

Thanks for your thoughts, bertha!

I kind of like Troff's exchange rule, but Mom wouldn't.

Don't forget postage went up.
My most difficult teen didn't get his done till Saturday and they came back :mad:


(and pardon the obvious here, but two or three could be done in the time of this thread.....oh god, I AM my Mom)

girl, I can totally relate, seriously.

and thanks for reminding me about the postage rate increase. Great. :grr: