Now that the presents are unwrapped and I’ve cleaned up the wreckage that goes along with Christmas, it is time to sit down for the post-holiday tradition of writing thank you notes.
Even though I love technology, I am a traditionalist when it comes to thank yous. I loved grabbing a pen that feels heavy in my hand, pulling out my personalized stationary, and addressing an envelope. Now Little Miss Techie and Captain Computer know to thank loved ones for gifts through handwritten notes. Ok, so I write Captain Computer’s as he dictates but still…You get the drift!
I can’t help thinking that the tradition of thank you notes is dying out.
Come read the rest of my post over on the LeapFrog Community and tell me your thoughts on writing thank you notes. Thanks!
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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
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Dude. As long as I’m living in this house, my children WILL write their thank-you notes. Before New Year’s.
Does that make me an old fogey?
My kids write thank you notes. Pearl writes her own, the other two “sign” the ones I write for them. It’s part of the Christmas (and birthday) tradition in our house!
I dont have young children around anymore, but as an “Auntie” to several nieces and nephews I can tell you at least a note/call/ or an email (they know my email addy) is appreciated and expected to occur since they are out on break right after the Holidays!
I totally agree with you. Only about 50% of the kids/adults to whom we give a gift send a thank-you card (or even provide a verbal/e-mail acknowledgement), and I think that’s appalling. And I think it’s easy/convenient to use the “too busy” excuse when you have young kids. It’s laziness pure & simple. My 6-year-old son will be writing thank-you cards this week. He’s not as artistically creative or motivated as your daughter, but I will make sure he does them! I’m sure some parents will disagree, but I also detest those “fill-in-the-blank” thank-you cards. I suppose they’re better than nothing though…
Thank you notes are rare & therefore well received by most people. I have found Cards Direct service to be incredible for business. I utilize it to send Thank You cards to clients, etc. You can personalize the cards and they offer bulk shipping. For personal cards, I utilize Hallmark. I can personalize the card, insert the recipients’ address and Hallmark will mail it for me. An efficient and personalized touch.
Funny, I was planning a post on this very same subject! (So when you see it, don’t think I copied you!) My friend owns a stationery store and she not only has classes to teach kids about writing Thank You Notes but also for business people and the business people who take her classes have found that their repeat business improves significantly when they handwrite thank you notes.
You know I am guilty of not having my kids write actual thank you notes. It’s not because they aren’t thankful or appreciative – I just get swept up in other things. I do always make sure that both my kids make a phone call to thank the gift giver though. Personally – I don’t give a present expecting a thank you. I give it because I want to, but do recognize how important it is to thank and acknowledge the effort in general and teach my kids to do the same.
I sure hope this tradition isn’t dying out! I have to say, thank you notes are a hard habit to get in to but I agree with you that they are crucial! Thanks for the great post.