by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach
With Hanukkah in full swing and Christmas this weekend, the big question on many minds will be "how to say thank you" in a timely and appropriate manner.
How to say Thank You :: making a plan
It seems this tradition has definitely taken a back seat over the years. I can remember my Mom insisting I write Thank You notes before the school winter break was over. If I procrastinated past that, I was grounded until it was done.
Needless to say, I wasn't motivated to continue the appreciative act once I was on my own. However, I was taught well and got those notes out before the beginning of the new year ... most of the time.
Here are some of the strategies I've come up with over the years.
How to say Thank You :: kids
Finding a "pre-formatted" thank you note / letter is a great way to help the kiddos along. At this point in life it is simply about teaching the lesson of etiquette. When you receive a gift, you send a note of appreciation.
How to say Thank You :: adults
Saying thank you to adults can be a bit tricky. Here are some guidelines I follow:
- Friends I see daily / weekly / monthly = I literally say "Thank You" upon receipt of the gift {and usually give them a big squishy hug}
- Family = if they see me open the gift, I say "Thank You". If the gift is opened at a later date, I call and say "Thank You". If they are older than my parents I send a "Thank You" note.
How to say Thank You :: distant family
With notepad in hand, I keep track of who sent what as the gifts are opened.
Then after all the craziness calms down I gather the kids and we compose a "Family Thank You" note.
Taking a picture of the kids holding the words "Thank You" and then using a stationery site such as TinyPrints to print note cards is a great way to customize the gesture.
Including personal touches such as
"Thank you for the Xbox 360 game! I've already played it a few times and it is awesome ~ {signed} The Pipsqueak"
"Thank you so much for the cash! I've put most of it with the other money I'm saving for my first car and used a little to hang out with friends ~ {signed} The First Born"
**Note: obviously, my boys sign their real names {grin}**
How to say thank You :: volunteers
Saying Thank You as a volunteer that has received a "Thank You" gift may seem a little, well, backwards. I know. But hear me out.
Being appreciated is a wonderful thing. Being appreciated and knowing the etiquette is a fantastic thing.
When you are given a physical gift, etiquette states you acknowledge the gesture with a note. However, if you've simply been sent a "Thank You for your volunteer efforts in {insert year here}" you can relish in their appreciation.
Make sense?
Leave any tips or comments over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook page {or below}
What do you do when faced with how to say thank you?
Keepin it Tidy,
April
April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.
