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Title : What's Hap-pinning Wednesday: Thank-You Notes
link : What's Hap-pinning Wednesday: Thank-You Notes

What's Hap-pinning Wednesday: Thank-You Notes

Growing up, we always had to write thank-you notes for gifts we received: for our birthday, Christmas, or even just because gifts. And I always remember my mom writing them to friends for bringing us a meal after my sister was born, helping her out in a pinch, and more. 

I loathed writing thank-you notes as a kid and even told myself, "I'll never make my kids do this when I'm an adult!" But, as I have done far too often as an adult and now a parent, I've been eating my words more and more. 

I write thank-you notes, and I make my children write them, too. 

I know: call me Southern, old fashioned or just plain out of the loop, but I feel like it's very important to write thank-you notes to show my gratitude (and my kids' gratitude); to teach my children to be grateful; and to honor and acknowledge the person who took time out of their busy lives to get us a gift, wrap it, buy a card, sign it, and either deliver it to us or come to the birthday party and hand-deliver it. (Or, to the person who takes the time to make us a meal by shopping for the food, paying for it out of their own pocket, taking the time to make it -- or set up delivery -- and bringing it to us.) As an adult who understands the value of a dollar and the value of time in today's busy world, I find it even more important to write a thank-you note. 

And, I know, I know. It's the 21st century and there are plenty of other ways to communicate: texting, emailing, calling, Snapchatting, Insta story-ing...and I also know that writing a handwritten thank-you note has "gone out of style." And I also know that we have 708 different different things going on in our days: getting children up, fed, dressed, out the door to school, to work ourselves, our volunteer and work commitments, church commitments, parties, lunch dates...and the list goes on and on and will forever. 

But I personally think there is nothing that shows your sincere thankfulness more than a handwritten thank-you note. We put such an importance on sending Christmas cards in the mail, but we don't have nearly as big of an importance on acknowledging a thoughtful gift with a quick thank-you note. Why is that?

Have you ever given (or sent) someone a gift, only to not have them acknowledge it at all? No thank-you note, no text, no email, no verbal "thank you?" Didn't you feel weird and wonder if they received it; if they received it, did they like it; and, if you're like me, you go through your head thinking of 403 different scenarios as to why they may not have received it or liked it and have no clue how to bring it up without it being awkward. That right there is why I believe you should send a thank-you note: acknowledgement that the gift was received; appreciation for their time, effort, energy and money toward the gift; and showing that appreciation by taking five whole minutes out of your day to sit down and share with them how thankful you are. I guarantee you it took them a lot longer than five minutes to think about, purchase, wrap and send your (or your child's) gift. 

I'll be honest, nothing burns me up more than purchasing a gift for someone (whether an adult or a child) and not receiving any sort of a "thank you" for it. I don't do it for the thank-you note, but I do expect to be thanked for the gift I gave. It's just simply manners. I also cannot stand to receive a generic email sent to every party attendee that goes something like this: "Thank you for coming and for the sweet gift!" The end. That's all. I sit there and think, "Did you know which gift I gave you?" "Did you like it?" "If you hated it, I can totally send you the gift receipt!" My mind goes all over the place. 

Why does that bother me? Because, again, I took the time to carefully select your gift (whether from your registry or not); pay for it with my own money that I most definitely could have spent elsewhere; purchase a card to go along with it; sign said card; wrap the gift; and either bring it to your party/shower/event or have it delivered there. Not acknowledging the gift and the time it took to do all of that, frankly, is insulting. Not receiving anything tells the gifter that you don't appreciate the gift or them, in my opinion. 

I make my children write thank-you notes, too, because I have worked so hard to teach them to verbally say "thank you" when they receive something (whether a gift, a sticker from the cashier at Target, an ice cream cone from me, a toy they wanted from their brother), so it's also important to me that they write their thankfulness. My children receive a lot from family members, friends and even Brandon and me, and I want them to understand that it comes at a cost, and they therefore should take a few minutes to acknowledge someone's thoughtfulness. I know they don't like to do it now, but I know the gifter appreciates the sentiment and knowing their gift didn't go unnoticed. And I can only hope that this translates into their adult lives, as well, because an ungrateful child is one thing, but an ungrateful adult is a whole different ball game. I don't ever want my children to think they deserved anything in this life and, if making them write a thank-you note shows them that, then so be it. Thank-you notes are a wonderful way to make our children pause, reflect and express their gratitude. 

So here's how I typically write (and make my children write) a thank-you note: addressing the gifter by name; saying "thank you for the _____"; explaining why they liked it, what they will do with it, etc.; saying, "thank you for your thoughtfulness/remembering me on my birthday" etc.; and closing. A typical thank-you note for a gift I've received goes something like this: 

"Dear Nana,

Thank you so much for all of my amazing Christmas gifts. You far outdid yourself with the Kendra Scott earrings, Nordstrom robe and gift cards. I cannot wait to wear the beautiful earrings and don the robe while I get ready each morning. The gift cards will definitely be put to good use this spring, too, so I can purchase some much-needed spring clothes. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. It means the world to me! I love you! 

Thank you again,
Brittany" 

That's it. It takes five minutes (or less) to write, address the envelope, stick a stamp on it, and pop it in your mailbox. I have found the cutest thank-you cards for just $1 in Target's dollar aisle and you can order stamps from either Amazon {here} or USPS online {here} and have them delivered to your home -- so no having to go to the post office or wait in line there! 

And yes, I've heard the argument that "they just throw the letter away anyway," but my gracious, have you ever received a thank-you note yourself that you yourself keep? Probably not. But doesn't it make you feel so wonderful to receive it and know how thankful someone was to receive your gift? 

So why not just take a few minutes to write your thankfulness out? You never know, you may have just made someone's day showing them how loved and appreciated they -- and their gift(s) -- were. 

Linking up with Jessi and Jenn

thus Article What's Hap-pinning Wednesday: Thank-You Notes

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