Friday, February 25, 2011

Thank You!




Two simple words that just about say it all. Of course, there are situations where a handwritten note and a gift are the only way to say it. And, there are the people who take the politeness to whole new level and then, there are the clods who could stand to say it a little more often.

When money is spent on you because an invitation was extended to do so, only a handwritten note will do. Talking about weddings, showers, birthday parties, graduations and the rest. You certainly are not thinking about the gift you'll receive (OK, you might be just a bit); you just want to share that special day...Then there are the gifts you'll receive because you hosted a great party. And, there are the ones like Christmas and your birthday (No party attached). Plus the gifts you get in the course of your chosen career.

Yes, when you get an invitation your obligation is to comply. You should expect a very nice note purchased with care with either gushing response or something that was scribbled down because it was the sender's chore that had to get done. Perfectly acceptable in both cases if done in a timely manner. My personal preference for timely is within three months of the event if it was attended by more than 150 people......150 down to 50 should be thanked in 60 days. Less than 50 within the month. For those who did not attend but, sent a gift deserve the same respect............There are so many beautiful Thank You note options. They range from from elegant to creative and, I so enjoy the ones I've seen through the years and have a hard time trashing them. I love a picture of the happy couple whose wedding I just attended, the delighted parents with the red faced newborn who will use something I gave them and, the beaming Graduate to whom I recently sent a check.

I am much more lax on a birthday or Christmas gift. I think a BD gift deserves a handwritten when everyone was alerted to this day and came to your party. Those who choose not to come to said party will probably send a cute card. Email them, text them, call them or, post on Facebook that their thought was appreciated.........Christmas is the season of giving and I don't find it necessary to send a note for every thing you receive however, something valued over $100 sent by someone who is not family or a close friend warrants a piece of card stock. Do thank them any way you can.

Every party you are invited to by friends, or business associates should be verbally thanked and, if you couldn't make it, think phone or Internet. All said, this brings me to host/hostess gifts. You should take them and your dish to share counts. The Hosts, in turn, should not be presented with a token so elaborate that it requires a pen to paper.

The above situations are the ones that are imperative you respond with gratitude. Failure to do so reflects badly on your Mom and the way you were brought up. But, you can also make Mom and yourself look like total clods when you don't speak these two simple words. Fortunately, 99% of everyone I know is gracious and, yes, there are those who take it to extremes. Just remember the next time someone takes care of something for you that would have disrupted your life for a week, family included or, just remembered your birthday with a card. It is totally unacceptable not to say "Thank You" in any way you can.

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