Thank You Notes
Dec
19
Written by:
12/19/2011 1:33 PM
One important courtesy that is often neglected these days is the writing of thank you notes. This is too bad. A well written thank you is a blessing to receive. If you have taken much time and trouble with a gift, receiving warm thanks makes you glad that you did.
I have a sister who feels thank you notes are so important that only nieces and nephews who write them continue to receive gifts, usually well-chosen books for their children. Our daughters know this and manage to get their thank you’s off to her promptly. I hope this is not just because they want to keep receiving those delightful books, but because they know it is important to her. They aren’t always quite so good about notes to us. Our younger daughter has been known to write a note, but then squirrel it away in her purse for quite some time. Life is very full for her and her sister. For many of us.
Thus, if we struggle with this matter, we need to be more intentional about it. We should plan ahead. Choose note cards that we really like. Then we’ll feel more enthusiastic about filling them with warm words. Etiquette books say that thank you note cards should not say “Thank You.” You should say it.
Your wording should not be perfunctory, as if your mother were standing over you. It is good to mention the gift, and something you especially like about it. One of our son-in-laws manages to inject humor, without ever diminishing his expression of appreciation. We always smile or laugh out loud when we read his notes.
If the gift is not something you would ever have chosen, maybe even something you consider ghastly, it is still important to acknowledge the gift and/or the giving of it. “You shouldn’t have,” might or might not be the best choice of words. Do your best.
If you receive a financial gift, you might mention its timeliness, or how you intend to spend it.
Remember, giving gifts is one of the ways we express love. Our response is important.
Thank you notes for hospitality, thoughtful deeds, and friendship are nice, too.
“How delightful is a timely word!” Proverbs 15:23
Tips:
Write and mail your thank you’s as promptly as possible.
Put note cards on your Christmas shopping list. Keep a supply on hand.
Train your children in writing notes. Start young. Have note cards for them, too.
At Christmas, you might have someone write down each gift, giver, and recipient as gifts are opened. Then give each recipient old enough to write thank you’s his list. For children too young, be sure to express their thanks for them. You might even have them draw a picture of their gift and/or them smiling a big thanks.
Remember that your words can make your giver smile.
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11