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My 2 Cents: Dear gift recipient, please write a thank you note

Why did gift-giving etiquette go out of style? A written word of gratitude goes a long way.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for "my 2 cents."

Dear viewers,

Please — write a thank you note.

Call me old-fashioned, but I am somewhat of a stickler for etiquette. From an early age, my mom etched into my manners the importance of giving gratitude for gifts. If someone sends you a present, you sit down and write a thank you note. Then, get it mailed off -- ideally within two weeks of when you received the gift.

The ultimate manners guide, Emily Post, states all gifts should have the acknowledgment of a thank you note unless the recipient opens the present in front of the gift giver and can thank him or her in person. This rule applies when:

  • You receive a gift from a wedding, shower, or birthday
  • You receive a note or gift during an illness or a big achievement
  • You attend an event someone spent a lot of time organizing

I do think there are some exceptions. My best friend and I, for example, have children of the same age and are always sending gifts between Greensboro and Chicago. Instead of notes, we text pictures or videos of the kids enjoying the gifts, and we instill in them appreciation for the gift giver.

That said, even in this era of social media, there is no substitute for the written word, even if your handwriting -- like mine -- is barely legible. Thank you notes from my late grandmother are now my most cherished mementos, permanently inking her voice on paper. 

So, write a thank you card. It means more than you know.

P.S. Just stamp it with proper postage and a seal of love.

Sincerely,

Meghann

    

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