The Art of Thank You Notes
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In the age of the Internet and email, handwritten notes are in danger of becoming a lost art. When a gift is bestowed, it is important to recognize the thoughtfulness of the giver with a short note of appreciation. Children, in particular, should be taught to write thank you letters, following birthdays and holidays. Even if they received presents that were duplicated, not age-appropriate (i.e. babyish), or otherwise "uncool," basic principles of graciousness require that notes be mailed to all gift-givers. This is just as important as teaching your children to try foods that are served at someone else's home, and to say "please," and "thank you."
Lessons to be Learned
Writing thank you notes is not just a simple exercise in gratitude. A child can learn other lessons and skills, too:
- Discuss the postal service. How long will it take the letter to get there? Who picks it up? Who delivers it? How much does a stamp cost now? How much did a stamp cost when you were young?
- Improvement in penmanship. Young children up to at least the 4th grade can use extra practice in writing skills. Why not use this fun activity to help them work on signing their name and writing coherent sentences?
- Empathy. Maybe Uncle Mike doesn't realize that your child is 9 years old and not interested in the Backyardigans any longer. Talk about the impacts of distance on family relationships, or perhaps the fact that the relative does not have young children. Teach the importance of recognizing that it is the "thought that counts." Decide if there is a needy child or organization to which the gift can be donated, if not exchanged.
Age Appropriate Letter Writing
As young as age 3, children can start learning the basics of a thank you letter. Have your child "draw" a picture and explain that you will be mailing it to Grandma in appreciation for the birthday present. Talk about how excited she will be to open her mailbox and read the letter from your son or daughter. You can even have them place the envelope in the mail themselves to send it on its way.
By ages 4-5, kids start learning how to sign their own name, or even to write beginning words, such as "I Love You," or "Thank You." A drawing of a rainbow or flowers (or whatever else your child is interested in) can complete the note. Discuss how writing thank you notes is a polite thing to do, when someone has gone out of their way to shop for and wrap (or even mail) a present for them. This may be particularly important if your child has received an unwelcome or duplicative gift.
Once your child is in school, you can ask a bit more of them. Depending on reading and penmanship, have them write at least 2-3 sentences to the gift giver, thanking them for the present and telling them something else about the birthday party or holiday that was special. This is especially necessary when a gift card is given. Be sure to tell the giver what was purchased. Talk with your children about how they would feel if they got a letter in the mail. Link the discussion with one about general manners.
No free pass when they get into middle school and high school! At this point, you can begin discussing with your teenager the importance of thank you letters in the professional job interview setting. Writing notes to relatives will keep them in the practice for a critical life-long skill.
Working with your children to write thank you notes and instilling this practice at a young age is an integral part of any parental instruction on basic manners. You can set them up for life-long success in part by emphasizing the importance of showing appreciation to others in a timely manner, even in somewhat difficult situations (when a gift truly is not what they wanted). It is one thing to get good grades, but if your child lacks social graces, they could be limiting their own advancement in the future. 10-15 years from now, they could be the candidate that stands out in a positive way! Who knew that two little words could have so much power?
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Note Cards and Resources
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Comments
Steph,
I am trying to write this thank you note, but I feel like it won't measure up to the standard that you have set.....Thank you so much for the hub and yes it is a lost art as most things in legible handwriting have become. Sadness fills my eyes.
T hanks
I have to admit, I went crazy over the eBay and Amazon resources in your hub. I LOVE buying paper. Note cards, stationery, padded paper, even computer paper. Rice paper, charcoal and pastel paper, water color paper, the newspaper, books. Such a joy, and so easy to do. So much easier than actually using any of it to write thank you notes, for example.
I wish my mother had your hub to read when I was a kid. I was told to write thank you notes, but I was never shown how. I have never been comfortable writing a thank you note, and I so envy those who do it well and with style.
What a gift you just gave to parents and their children. I thank you.
John - thank you! I hope that more people find this useful and encourage their kids to write notes. Daniel - no standards set here! Just as long as the note is from the heart, that is good enough! Sally's Trove! So glad you love the resources. I so appreciate the kind comments! I am working with my own kids... :-)
I still give my kids a pack of Thank You notes in their Christmas stocking. They are both 'over 21'. I missed them out one year and got complaints!
This is a great Hub, Steph. One of your best.
What a wonderful comment, 2patricias! I especially like the fact that you keep the practice going by including the package of notes each year in the Christmas stocking. Kudos to you!
You are so right, Steph! Great topic (and hub). I especially liked the "lessons to be learned" section. :)
Thanks Amy! I thought this would be a great request to answer. :-)
Steph.
Again, another great Hub. I am the world's worst thank-you note writer, however I think I am the best reciever of gifts because I always become excited and grateful at the moment. I simply must improve on the "aftermath". Thanks for the tips.
Thanks Steph, I really like this hub, you can make any topic interesting.
In the Doghouse - I am the classic type of person where they say, "do as I say, not as I do!" I am great at giving advice, and actually am doing pretty well by my kids. I need to do better myself at writing notes. :-) The How To Hub - thank you!
Great hub, seems like thank you's are only given for wedding or baby shower gifts now....definitely lost art....
Really like the way your hub is laid out with pictures and text around pictures with different background. I've got to do my homework and figure out how to do that.
Thanks!
newcapo - thank you! I agree that people can do more with respect to thank you notes. Re: the hub layout, experiment more. I look back at my original hubs 4 months ago, and I have really changed things over the past few months! Feel free to copy what you like! Steph
Steph--another good one!
I'm in agreement with you that writing Thank You notes has almost disappeared in the manners column, right along with just writing letters. My letter writing has jumped over to the computer--I send lots of e-mails now (saves on postage). But I hate getting thank-you's and greeting cards as e-mails. Just seems kind of rude and impersonal to me.
Speaking of manners--we're (my daughter and I) are trying to teach them to my 4 1/2 year old grandson. People seem amazed when he says "Yes, mam" and "No, mam" (or sir, as the case may be), "Excuse me" when he sneezes or (as boys will) burps, or even when he bumps into someone. He asks to be excused from the table and (most of the time) uses a napkin to wipe his hands and mouth, chews with his mouth closed, no elbows on the table and says Please and Thank You. That is how I brought my 2 up and my daughter is bringing up Liam the same. "Manners never hurt anyone" as my Mom used to say but today it's usually something not seen very often in kids.
Sorry, went off on a tangent! Don't know what's got into me today!
Anyway--nice work!
A very nice advice and a very nice way of a very nice thing to learn and make children learn.
You are great in looking into needs of people.
Thanks ia very small word but very important to say at right time in right way. You have taught this all the more professionally. Thanks Dear!
Ruthe - So glad to hear about the manners instruction! We, too, ask our children to say "may I please be excused?" when they are finished eating. They know to take their caps off at the table (so many young men do not!) But, yes, this could be the subject of an entirely new hub!. Msms, thank you for the wonderful comments. We could all use more civility in our lives. Steph
Yes, please someone teach children to send thank you notes. I know, even a lot of adults don't bother. I always thought, "how rude" to not even acknoledge a gift. It's mostly relitives, for me, that don't send thank yous. Oooo. I sound angry. Not really, you just hit a small button.
Great hub, as always ; ) I send "Thank-You" postcards. Less postage & I can write them on planes or coffee shops quickly so I don't forget anyone.
So true Steph, and I just love getting letters these days. The last letter I handwrote was to a great-aunt in Chicago and she loved it. Its great to know we can and should instruct our kids in this dying art. Great hub :-)!
Minnies Mom - that is an excellent idea! Karen, I can't agree more! Who knows if your gift that you mailed got to its destination if you don't receive a thank you note? I am especially appalled at the lack of thank yous from brides these days! Manners are out the window!
Lifebydesign - I am in great favor with my husband's grandmother because I know to write her thank you notes for her gifts!! :-) My own grandmother so appreciates the notes from my own children (and drawings, etc.). It doesn't take much to brighten someone's day! Thanks for the great comment.
Thank you for writing this hub reminding everyone about the thoughtful of writing thank you notes. I think sometimes in our fast paced society we forget about these basic these, so it is good to read a hub that kind remind us all :). Thanks you!
Steph this is a truly great idea. Teaching thank you letter writing and proper manners during the gift season. Come this fall and the BIG 4 years old Birthday party, Ally will be taking on her newest big kid responsiblity of sending out thank yous.
I hop you don't mind, I'd like to add a short bio and a link to this page on my newest website project. This topic is something that will fit in quite well at http//preschoolonline.weebly.com
Sweetie Pie - yes! The fast pace of our lives is exactly why we should slow down and take a minute for a special note. Sunstreeks! By all means, I would love you to link this page to yours. I will check it out. Thank you. Steph
I actually just wrote a hub about creative ways for children to send thank you notes. I think that it is very important for a thank you to be sent every time you receive a gift. I think it is also important to make the thankyou note interesting for the person receiving it and not to make it your typical boring thank you card.
My friends also write old fashioned letters to each other, which are more fun than emails in my humble opinion. Maybe your next hub will be about that :).
Great Hub! I have slacked on writing "real" notes lately. I can think of a couple of people I'd like to thank. Perhaps it's time to get out the note cards. :)
This is great! I just sent out some Thank You cards recently for people who attended my birthday party. I know when I get a Thank You note, it warms my heart, so I make sure I send them out to anyone I need to thank. Keep up the great work =).
The positive benefits of thank you notes work both ways, for the giver and the taker.
This is a truly great hub!
Thank you notes are indeed rare and especially treasured. We are friends with a young couple and they never fail to send us thoughtful, handwritten thank-you notes after any present or gathering. I cherish them all.
Unfortunately i have no reason to send any thank-you cards lately!
Writing anything down on paper is such a personal thing and much more nicer than anything electronically one can send via the web, even it it does mean wasting a tree for stamps, paper and envelopes its well worth it!!...from what i can remember!!:)
Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments! I've been away for 3 days and just catching up. Bottom line - write a nice personal note instead of an email. It is so great to get something in the mailbox other than a bill!
Oh so true - Thank You notes and cards are such a lost art. It's a shame, it's a wonderful piece of etiquette that is disappearing.
Such a great topic to bring our attention to. I know of several moms who could use a refresher course in teaching their kids politeness skills like this!
k kids, 128 hubs...can i get a blood transfusion from you?
Good hub. It's a shame the practice has died off.
Almost exciting these days to get something handwritten in the mail rather than those horrible letters with windows!!
Marg07 - I can't agree more! It is so nice to get cards and letters. And so rare! Funnebone.... LOL!! Kat and evemurphy - thanks for the great comments. I can't believe that some parents allow their kids to act the way they do sometimes. This is one of the simple things to teach that will truly last a lifetime. :-)
working
John Chancellor says:
2 months ago
Excellent advice. I should print this out and give to the parents of a few dozen nieces and nephews.
Unfortunately you are correct. Writing thank you notes is a lost art.