Within the Honey Good community, we talk a lot about gratitude and what it means both for others and for ourselves when we express it. In fact, did you know it even has the power to boost your health? Read all about that, here.
But back to my musings, darlings…
Thank You Notes Will Always Be in Style
I enjoy writing a thank you note. My husband, Shelly, watching me, never fails to say, “Why don’t you pick up the phone and say thank you?” but I wholeheartedly disagree. Expressing your thanks in the form of a handwritten note takes time and shows appreciation. I am all for that!
Teach your Grands at a young age, as my mother taught me and I taught my daughters, to express their thanks in a handwritten thank you note. Not in an email!
Equip your grandchildren with the tools they will need to make writing thank you notes more appealing for the little darlings! Buy them stationary in their favorite color or stationary that is fun. Buy them beautiful or fun forever stamps and colorful pens. Enclose your personal short note on your stationary or card expressing the importance of a ‘thank you’ to those who did something very nice for you.
Personalized stationery, like this and this, also make wonderful holiday gifts! Or, sometimes it’s just plain fun to treat yourself… don’t you agree?
How to Encourage This Simple (Yet Meaningful) Habit
Here is a sample of one of the notes I enclosed with my little gift.
Dear Grand of mine,
Please write thank you notes, with these little gifts, to people who do nice things for you. Your short, handwritten note will show your appreciation and go much farther than you think. It shows you have made the effort to:
1. Write your note.
2. Address the envelope.
3. Seal the envelope.
4. Fix a stamp to your envelope.
5. Mail your note.
THE ENTIRE PROCESS TOOK YOU TIME. IT SHOWED YOU CARED; THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATIVE! THAT IS THE MESSAGE YOU WANT TO SEND THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN NICE TO YOU, DEAR GRANDS.
I know the rules of writing a thank you note have changed. Just send a text or dash off an email or even do nothing! Writing a heartfelt thank you note is old hat. I get it! Believe me, I am in ‘the know!’
But I do not approve, darlings. And as my mother said to me last week over the phone, “be true to yourself.” I am. And, I am praying that some of my Grands will follow my advice.
What’s Your Favorite Way to Express Thanks?
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Yes so important to hand write thank you notes! I also like to mail birthday cards. Sometimes I wonder if anyone cares. Today I heard by e-mail from a relative thanking me for all the birthday cards that I had sent a few months ago. He also sent nice family pictures. They are very busy and it was so nice he took the time to do this. He is actually the husband of my relative. So keep mailing notes and cards. It is appreciated.
I’m so happy to read this! My mother taught us early on to always write a thank you note. In turn, I taught my kids the same. There’s something so special about receiving & reading a handwritten note! I pray this practice never goes by the wayside.
I pray it does not go by the wayside, either. But, I fear it is. We can keep pratice in our families if we continue the tradition. Teaches all of us the importance of showing gratitude. Warmly, Honey
I totally agree, sending Thank You notes is my cup of tea. Good Old habits shouldn’t be broken and should be passed on to the next generation.
Buy them thank you note cards. And, write them thank you notes. A double wammy to teach them the meaning and feeling of gratitude.
I strongly agree! I taught my daughter and son the importance of expressing written gratitude. And my oldest grandchildren still write notes, however I’m
buying my two youngest (6 and 12)personalized note cards as you suggested! A gentle hint!!
I taught mine, too. Keep your tradition going. Buy those cards and write them notes, too. Warmly, Honey
I love this post, and I’m so disappointed at the state of thank you note writing these days. I have given gifts to young people for high school graduation or weddings, and have never received a note. And they come from families who should know better! My own stepson, who I taught to write notes, and his wife sent out pre-printed notes that were not at all personal after their wedding. I know they take time, but that’s the whole point–to take the time to show appreciation.
I have similar situations and I am appalled. Nice families that have not taught their children at a young age to say thank you which does teach them the meaning of gratitude. Warmly, Honey
My mother, may she rest in peace, was Southern. Thank you notes are in my DNA. All my cousins and I joke that we got a box of thank-you notes for Christmas and spent Christmas afternoon writing them, while the neighbor kids were out riding their new bikes.
It certainly paid off. One of my cousin’s daughters got a very good job, straight out of college, because she was the only one interviewed who wrote a letter of thanks for their time.
I am appalled at how few people bother to write notes- and no- a text doesn’t cut it. And while we are on the subject, it does not appear that most people know what RSVP means.
I am so happy you did this piece on writing “thank you” notes! Sadly, it’s becoming a lost art! I remember arguing with my daughter years ago about the need (and even delight!) in writing a “thank you”. At the time, she said they were “stupid” and that nobody had time for that. I said “Really…because I worked for the money to buy the gift. I drove to the mall to get it. I brought it home and wrapped it, and then I went to the post office to send it! I spent a lot more time on this than the two minutes it would take a person to write a few lines on a card!!!” Further, I said I love both getting “thank yous” and sending them. Everyone should teach their kids and grandkids the value of showing appreciation (and it’s a good writing exercise for the very young ones). Thanks, Honey!
You are welcome. I agree with every word you wrote. Warmly, Honey