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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? But back to my musings, darling…
A Thank You Note Will Always Be in Style
I enjoy writing a thank you note. My ultimate concierge never fails to say, “Why don’t you pick up the phone and say thank you?” I wholeheartedly disagree because expressing one’s thanks in the form of a handwritten note takes time and shows appreciation. I am all for that!
Why? Because when I give to others my return is ten-fold. I feel good about myself, What a wonderful way to give self-care while giving thanks to a loved one, friend, and someone who has assisted you in a helpful way.
Even Though Things Have Changed…
In today’s world, in so many ways, people’s attitudes have changed for the worst. People are far more insulated and to be blunt…lazy. The wonderful lifestyle of Americans is no more.
Not to be a downer during what was once the happiest time of the year, but the facts are the facts. I feel it living in the middle of a large city. And, I know that loneliness has become an epidemic. I read that 60 million families face estrangement from adult children.
Sadly, I know that young families have moved far away from their parents and grandparents. I am fully aware that people in the workplace no longer want to work in the office. Huge pieces of real estate sit empty.
It’s Our Job to Pass on Traditions
It is a few days before Christmas and the stores are empty because people shop online. I live in the middle of a once thriving city where I used to see families and couples walking arm-in-arm down the streets; their arms filled with Christmas and Hanukkah presents and smiles on their faces.
Before, I would see store fronts decorated and shops filled with joyful customers and salespeople. I used to see and hear the Salvation Army man ring his bell asking for charity and Santas sitting around the city with children on their laps. Just a scant four years ago I used to see and feel at this time of the year so much joy in the air.
As mothers and grandmothers it is very important to reach out to grandchildren, who are facing loneliness. Instead of interacting with friends, they interact with their Apple computers and cellphones and are hooked on social media.
But not all is lost! There are many opportunities for grandmothers to step up to the plate during the holiday season even though they live a distance away. One of these ways is the thank you note.
The Thank You Note
Writing a thank you note will give you a lift. It’s a win-win.
Teach your Grands at a young age, as my mother taught me and I taught my daughters, to express their thanks for their Christmas and Hanukkah gifts in a handwritten thank you note. In today’s world, possibly an email may be sent out, or, unfortunately, nothing at all because gratitude and stationery companies seem to have disappeared, too.
But not all is lost. Where there is a will there is a way. You can gift your grandchildren with products they will need to make writing a thank you note very appealing for the little darlings! Buy them stationery in their favorite color and fun prints. Buy them beautiful or fun forever stamps and colorful pens.
Enclose in the gift your personal short note on your stationery expressing the importance of saying thank you to those who did something very nice for you. This is well worth your energy and time because you are teaching your grandchildren the feeling of appreciation and gratitude.
My First Thank You Note
I recall my first experience with writing a thank you note. Interestingly, it is one of my most vivid childhood memories. My mother gave me my first set of stationery when I was seven years old. I recall her explaining the importance of saying thank you and my excitement writing my first thank you note to my favorite Aunt.
Giving me a gift of stationery and pen set, I began to learn at age seven the importance of giving back through the written word. This one small gesture that was actually larger than life instilled within me a value I have carried with me all of my life. You can do this, too.
Personalized stationery also makes 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
If you live a far distance from your grandchildren, you can enclose your hand written message with your gift of stationery, pen, and forever meaningful stamps.
Here is a sample of one of the notes I enclosed with my little gift:
Dear Grand of mine,
Please write a thank you note, with these little gifts that I picked out especially for you. Write your message to people you love and to others who did nice things for you. Your short handwritten note will make them happy. When you make others happy you will feel happiness, too. I understand that this will take a lot of effort to write a message, address the envelope, seal the envelope, and stick your forever beautiful stamp. This will teach you patience and the heartfelt emotion of gratitude.
I love you to the moon,
Honey
The Thank You Note Should Not Be Old Hat
There are certain traditions we must hold close and pass down to our grandchildren, even in a world that often forgets their value. Why? Because these small acts of grace and gratitude shape character and deepen connections. The handwritten thank you note is a timeless way of expressing gratitude.
Yes, the world has changed. The norm today is to send a text, dash off an email, or, sadly, do nothing at all. Even cursive writing seems to be slipping away. But, darlings, we must not let the art of the thank you note fade into obscurity. As my mother always said, “Be true to yourself.” I am. And I pray that my Grands will embrace this tradition, carrying it forward with pride.
Now, it’s your turn! Teach your Grands the joy of writing a thank you note. And the benefits? They’ll carry these lessons far beyond the holidays, into a life enriched by gratitude and kindness.
Start today: pick up your pen, inspire your Grands, and rediscover the beauty of saying “thank you” in a way that will never go out of style. After all, gratitude is always in fashion.
What’s Your Favorite Way to Express Thanks? Please share with the community in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Women need women. Come meet some new girlfriends in my private Facebook group and celebrate together!
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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 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
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’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 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
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.