Christmas Gifts & Thank You Notes

I know exactly what you’re thinking, the day after Christmas and you can finally relax as it all came together so perfectly.  Now it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a much-needed rest, right?  Wrong!  Time for those “thank you’s”!

It has always amazed me how the majority of people never send a thank you note.  So what is the rule of thumb, and is there one?  Is a thank you necessary when the person giving the gift is in your presence?  Is there a certain dollar amount that justifies a hand-written thank you?  Are thank you’s necessary when a family gift has been given, rather one to each person?

The answer to all of these is YES!  Imagine how much time and effort you put into choosing and buying each and every gift you gave.  Some with far more creative energy than others, but effort nonetheless.  Now picture each person who actually gave you a gift choosing and buying those as well.   Many hours to decide WHAT to give, then the time to go and actually find it.  Not to mention the wrapping and bow making etc.

A gift is an expression of one’s feelings and fondness for another.  Whether the gift was from your parents, your big brother or your great Aunt Jenny, they each deserve a nice hand-written thank you.  Imagine the surprise and the special feeling you will give them when they receive it, especially if you’ve never written them before.

So make this the year that you sit down and spend an hour of your busy post-Christmas time to send thank you’s to those who blessed you with their gifts this year.    Don’t forget to mention what they gave you and take the opportunity to say a thing or two about it.  No need to write a novel,  just a simple “note” will do.    When you know the fabulous feeling on the other end, you’ll be happy you did.

Stop by Diana Dee’s for a fine selection of Thank You notes ready for your personal touch.

Follow us on Facebook

We’re Tweeting @DianaDeesSM

Visit us Online

 

Christmas Card Etiquette

In this fast paced, technology driven world that we live in, one tradition still rings true at the Holidays- the annual Christmas card.  Make sure that your ‘one correspondence a year’ with those you rarely see, will make a statement.  Follow our Do’s and Don’ts for sending the perfect Christmas card that will leave them smiling right through the New Year.

• Choose an appropriate card for your recipient.   Don’t send a Christmas card to a Jewish friend, but rather choose a Hanukkah card for them instead, or a generic ‘Happy Holidays’ sentiment.
• Mail cards early.  The ideal time for mailing Christmas cards is the first week of December.  A card that arrives on Christmas Eve sends the message that the person may have been forgotten or the card was an afterthought.
• ALWAYS hand-address your Christmas cards. Nothing screams GENERIC card louder than a printed font on a pre-pasted label.  If you want to practice proper Christmas card etiquette, the recipient’s address must be hand-written.
• Don’t send E-cards as substitute for real cards.  It is perfectly acceptable to send an E-card but ONLY when you are responding to one sent to you.  Never send an E-card instead of a paper card.
• Hand-write a note. If you have a few extra minutes, handwrite a short note on the inside.  This gives your cards a personal touch and speaks volumes to the recipient that you took the time to give each card attention.
• Always include your return address.  This is Christmas card etiquette 101.  This will ensure that the recipient has your current address, and it makes it handy when they may want to send a card back to you.
• When signing your cards, use the rules of etiquette.  If it’s a family card, always start with the Father’s name first, followed by the Mother’s then the children in descending order of age.

Christmas cards should bring joy and cheer.  Set aside a couple hours the first week of December and add a little personal touch to your cards.  The result will be a warm feeling on the other end when they reach your family and friends.

Follow us on Facebook

We’re Tweeting @DianaDeesSM

Visit us Online