Are Thank You notes a lost art?

In our family, everytime we are given a present, before you can truly enjoy it, you must take a few minutes and write a little note of thanks to the person who gave you the present. That's something my Mom taught me and something I make my kids do as well.

Both kids gripe about the practice, but take the time to write a lovely note. Although I may not hear the words, when it comes to writing them, that's when I see just how much the gifts are appreciated.

I love my in-laws, but the practice of writing thank-you notes wasn't a tradition in their family. It's not like I give expecting anything in return, but sometimes the only way you know the package arrived is if you receive a thank-you note in return.

It seems that we've become a generation of verbal or email thank yous. The art of selecting a note card and taking a few minutes to compose your thoughts on paper has been lost. People don't know what to say, particularly if they received a gift they already have or don't care to have.

I remember when I wrote the thank-you notes for our wedding gifts I had received a thing from one of the managers who worked for me. I say a "thing" because there were no words to describe what it was. As I recall it was a miniature golden bird cage with a stuffed and feathered bird perched on a little stand. It was too big for a Christmas ornament, too small to be a real bird cage, and too ugly to ever put on a display.

I struggled for days over what to say. "Thank-you for the thing" just didn't seem right. I finally settled on "thank you for your generosity" because that was honest and kept me from having to write "doo-dad" or "nick-nack" in a thank-you card.

Isn't that what it really comes down to: Generosity? No matter how much money is spent or how beautiful or useful the gift, someone took the time to think of us, to go to a store (or visit their 'regifting closet') to select something just for us.

Isn't that worth a few minutes of our time and words, a notecard and $.39 stamp?

DCB

Photo courtesy of Michgm