Growing up, not writing thank-you notes would have been a sin. After all, that’s just what you DO. That’s what we were TAUGHT. You MUST write thank-you notes.
Even if you said thank-you in person.
Even if the gift cost less than the price of a thank-you note.
Even if your hand hurt from all the thank-you note writing from the last time you wrote thank-you notes.
Do it. The end.
Now that I’m a mom, I have adopted the same stance: We must write thank-you notes. But….It’s getting harder and harder to do.
Can you relate?
Not only do I have to write thank-you notes for myself, but I have to stay on top of thank-you notes for the kids. There seems to be more gift-giving than when I was a kid, resulting in more stuff for which to write thank-you notes.
Writing notes to express that gratitude takes time and organization. You have to have the cards and the addresses. You have to find a pen and get pre-schoolers to sit still with you and write.
Plus, writing and delivering thank-you notes in the age of electronic invitations is challenging. Sometimes if the gift-giver is a classmate, we don’t have their address. Does an e-thankyou count? Does a Facebook thank-you count?
See all those excuses up there? They add up! For most people, I think they add up to “We just won’t do this any more.”
Evidence in point: I would estimate that of all the gifts we’ve given to our kids’ friends at birthday parties, we have maybe gotten two or three thank-you notes back. If they at least say thank-you in person, I can jive with that. I kind of love the long-distance picture of my friend smiling with the gift I gave them, shared in a thank-you message on Facebook. But if they never say a word, I admit: I get a little annoyed. But I suppress it. I have to, if I’m going to keep a positive outlook on life (and keep our friends!).
Which brings me back to my current question: Do we do thank-you notes for my daughter’s birthday gifts, or not?
Well….
Despite all of the excuses NOT to do it,
Despite the fact that her birthday was over 2 weeks ago,
Despite the fact that she said thank-yous in person to gift-givers,
Despite the fact that opting out seems more common these days,
I conclude that….YES. We will do thank-you notes.
I still think it’s the right thing to do. I think it’s important to make children express appreciation and gratitude. After all having attitude is gratitude is part of an equation of a happy, healthy life. I want to make sure it’s part of our kids’ lives too. So I will force my 6-year-old this weekend to sit down with me and do her best to write thank-yous (although some of them may be e-thankyous), and I will do my best to get them to the people we thank, and I will do it despite all the excuses.
The end.
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Share a sweet cup of tea or a virtual hug with someone every day. Photo: http://bit.ly/cazwdR
Valentine’s Day is upon us and as we venture into the weekend preceding the holiday for lovers, many people are already celebrating with the love of their life. Flowers, dinner, chocolates and diamonds are appearing everywhere!
Or are they?
Many people are not looking forward to the day set aside especially for lovers and people who have someone special in their lives. Instead, they approach this day with dread, anxiety and even depression.
Why?
Perhaps there is no other person in their life. Maybe they’ve experienced divorce or break-ups recently. Or worse, maybe they have lost their spouse, lover, friend or special someone to death.
Most people think of hugging someone they love on Valentine’s Day since it is a day for lovers. But what about those who are alone? Who hugs them?
My father has never enjoyed any holiday since my mother passed away three years ago. He particularly does not look forward to Valentine’s Day, which was one of her favorite days of the year. I recall the year he gave her red felt-covered, plastic roses in a delicate glass vase and told her they were special because they would last forever – and they did, to this day. I am always reminded of how excited she was to receive those plastic roses and how much she loved my father, even if his gifts were less than sentimental by the standards of many.
Whatever the reason, Valentine’s Day is a time to remember everyone in your life. If you know someone who may be lonely and sad on this day for lovers, then consider doing something special for them. Drop a note, make a call, send an email, text a “hello”, share a cup of tea, or make a visit. Simple gestures can make all of the difference in the world.
I am blessed to have a loving husband, two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law, and special grandchildren. But I will also remember those who are lonely on Valentine’s Day too.
February 14 will be filled with surprises and fun for lots of people. Be sure and share part of your day with someone who needs it most – someone who is alone and needs a hug — even if it is a virtual one.
]]>How about getting a Valentine’s card postmarked from Valentine, Virgina!
Lite 98 is making their annual trip to Valentines, Virginia to take letters and cards so they can be stamped with a heart-shaped postmark. All cards and letters with adequate postage will be sent directly from Valentines,Virginia with this “sweet” postmark and the city’s infamous name.
If you want to do something special for your children, grandchildren, spouse, friend or other loved ones, then drop off your cards and letters no later than Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at one of the following drop-off locations:
Lite 98 Studios
3245 Basie Rd Richmond
Ethan Allen
12000 West Broad St (Near Short Pump Towne Center)
Sona Med Spa
Innsbrook (4198 Cox Rd) & Hull Street (6127 Harborside Center Loop Midlothian)
Hearth & Home
8154 Mechanicsville Turnpike (across from the Windmill in Mechanicsville)
CP Dean
3001 Cutshaw Ave Richmond (Near TV 6)
Pla Mor Pools
7225 Bell Creek Rd Mechanicsville
105 Arbor Oak Dr. (off Rt 1) Ashland
]]>What a sweet way to let someone know how much you love them!
DawnCorrespondence creates unique, one-of-a-kind cards and stationery.
“He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me…..”
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it’s time to think about those special cards and gifts.
Make it uniquely you
If you’re looking for something unique for that special someone, you definitely need to check out the DawnCorrespondence website where Richmonder, Amanda Dawn Day, creates one-of-a-kind cards and stationery.
Amanda is passionate about her designs and her business. She presented her creations at the New York Stationery Show in April, 2010 and was showered with incredible praise for her creativity.
Before I go further, just let me confess that Amanda is my daughter and I may seem a little biased — but her website comments and sales do confirm that others agree. You can check it out for yourself!
Now, on with additional information….
DawnCorrespondence has a complete offering of stationery, from wedding invitations and shower invites, to holiday greetings and personalized stationery — and children’s specialty designs too. She has recently included new Valentine’s card designs on her website and is busy at work preparing many more.
She works with clients to design their own special creations — and as a graduate of James Madison University’s graphic design school with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts — she has the education and experience to succeed.
If you’re looking for something different for Valentine’s, or any other occasion or day of the year, visit the DawnCorrespondence website, or check out Amanda’s blog at this link.
