Writing Thank You Notes

My mother always had her hands full trying to get us to write thank you notes to relatives and friends.

When we were older we got printed thank you cards and simply had to add a line about the specific gift we received which made life a lot easier for me. It was quite a relief actually because all I had to do was write that one sentence that said it all and didn't have to stretch it into a whole paragraph. Writing thank you notes wasn't such a drudge after that, though my childish mind still considered it ate into valuable play time.

As an teen, I continued the tradition of writing out notes of thanks in preprinted cards. I went a step further when I reached adulthood and bought more elaborate cards with sappy sentiments and merely signed my name to them. It really had gotten to the point where I didn't really think about it, but at least I had sent my thanks for gifts received. I'd done my duty and that was that...or was it?

I wrote thank you cards and sent them out and I got similar ones in return for gifts I'd given. So what was the problem? As I opened the cards sent to me, reading the sentiment and eyeing the signature, I found myself wondering if the recipient was as pleased receiving my gift as I was in selecting it. Oh. Suddenly the image of my mother standing over us trying to instill in us the importance of writing a proper thank you came flooding back.

It only took 40 years for it to sink it but I finally got the message. Oddly enough, I don't find it such a daunting task to write my thank yous anymore. Wondering what my friends and family thought about gifts I had put time and effort into purchasing lent a bit of insight into what to write. Now I sit down with my blank cards and write with confidence, because I write what I would like to hear in response to a gift I have given.

What do I write?

First I say thank you for the gift, a thank you that includes appreciation for remembering a special day.

Second, I tell the giver how I've used or intend to use the gift.

Third, I comment on the color or the choice of gifts and how it suits me.

Then, if I can, I send a photo of me opening the gift or using the gift. A simple little recipe to follow that produces a thoughtful note of thanks; a thank you that even mom approves of.