With Sincere Thanks!

Little more than a week ago, Ayla had a bridal shower and Anton graduated. Both of our children received many gifts in these celebrations. Both have lists with the names and the gifts given so they can write thank you notes. I have trained my children since they were very little to show thankfulness for presents they have been given throughout their lives. It is important to acknowledge the generosity of others. And after bridal showers and weddings, there will typically be many gifts to be thankful for. So we thought we'd give a few thank you etiquette tips.

• Keep good notes as you are opening gifts so you know exactly who sent what. Write down details: specific brands, patterns and colors.
• Be sure to respond as soon as you can. People know that it will take time after the wedding to receive thank you notes, but don't take too much time. Give yourself four weeks at the most. The quicker you respond the better. If you receive gifts prior to the wedding, write those thank yous right away. People need to know you've received their gift.
• Be sincere. Mention the gift and what it means to you. If it is a monetary gift, you may want to share what you plan to do with it. You don't need to mention the amount of monetary gifts. They know what they gave.
• Only write a few at a time. Write a bunch in one sitting can be overwhelming and cause you to lose sincerity.
• If you remember something the guest said or did at the wedding or reception, include that as part of the thank you. It lets guests know you appreciated them coming and participating in your celebration.
• Be creative. Many couples now will shoot a picture of themselves on their wedding day holding a sign that says "Thank You!" which they will make in to thank you notes. You can also stick in a picture of you opening the gift if someone has taken pictures during that time.
• Split the duties. While often brides take on the thank you writing, it would be a beautiful gesture to gift givers to hear from the friend or family member closest to them, so the groom writing his friends and family and likewise the bride. If you can both sign each thank you ... even better.
• Be neat. You want your guests to be able to read what you wrote. 
• Don't forget vendors and guests who didn't give gifts, yet attended. They deserve thanks, too.
• You do not need to be wordy. Nor should you be brief. Sincerity is the key, so let your length and words reflect that.
• Send thank yous even if you thanked the guest in person. No email or social media thank yous.

Generosity of others is a blessed thing and deserves to be acknowledged. Gratitude is a sign of integrity and class on your part. And it will mean so much to the giver.

Discussion: How do you feel when you receive a thank you note? What do you like to hear in thank you notes? Who will write your thank you notes between you?

Prayer: You teach us to be grateful in all circumstances, and Lord we are so thankful to You. Help us to be mindful of the time and be gracious in our words to those who have been so generous to us. In Jesus name, Amen.