The Fine Art of a Written Thank You Note

In this age when it's so easy to send an email, I think it's still a nice touch to send a handwritten thank-you note. Taking five or ten minutes to let someone know how much you appreciate their kindness really isn't too much trouble. After all, chances are if they've given you a gift or done you a favor, that person is a close family member or friend. So often those closest to us are the brunt of our not so nice behavior. We save our best manners for strangers or acquaintances and allow ourselves to be crabby or short with those we love the most. So with that in mind, I spent tonight writing out cards, addressing envelopes, and enclosing family pictures to those who were kind enough to take the time to shop for or make something special for either me, my husband, or our daughter. When I think of the time spent going out to the store, battling the crowds, waiting in line to ship, and the thought put into picking out just the right gift...I know it's the least I can do to let them know how much we appreciate having them in our lives. I read that a written thank-you note is not required when the gift is given in person and the receipient then thanks the gifter but like I said, it's still a nice touch. Right now ER isn't able to help me, but I plan to pass the tradition of a handwritten thank-you note on to her too.