Q: Should I continue writing thank-you notes for the gifts my six- and seven-year-old daughters receive, or are they old enough to take over?
A: If your children have helped you write their notes – say, selected the stationery or signed the cards – they’ve already grasped the meaning behind them. Now they are old enough to put pencils to paper, even if they’re writing the simplest of notes. And don’t worry if they make mistakes. This is something your daughters need to do for themselves, and with your encouragement, they’ll develop a valuable habit.
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My questions is on a different topic, but I don’t know how to ask it except to post it here, and I really need advice ASAP. Is it poor etiquette to invite people to your own birthday party and expect each person to not only bring their own food & beverage, but to also pay $25.00 per person? Here is the scenario: My friend is having her “golden” birthday, i.e., turning 20 on the 20th, and has planned to have her birthday party at a location where they teach you to do a painting and you get to keep what you painted. In doing her party here, she has said that we all must bring out own drinks and pay $25.00 for the class. Granted, that is $10 off the regular price, but I just thought it was quite rude to expect people to pay to attend your birthday party. Thoughts???
Sigh. Yes, it is very poor etiquette to expect guests to pay for party participation, in whatever venue. The question then becomes, do you care enough for this friend to attend in spite of this faux pas? Even though we often encourage those who inquire about scenarios of this type to overlook a host’s parsimonious behavior, it does become difficult when you are expected to bring your own food and beverages, too. Unless you are set on going to this party, perhaps you might consider declining it, and instead inviting your friend to a one-on-one lunch; it will probably cost you less to simply treat her to lunch, and you’ll feel better, too.
My mother prepared me for the world of Thank You Notes from an early age in an easy way: I got a box of thank you notes in my Christmas stocking each year, along with stamps, and pencils/pens. These were never holiday themed, as the concept of thanking someone for taking the time to remember a small child at a special time of life was more important that simply receiving a gift.
I started writing our own notes by the time wI could make coherent sentences. “Thank you very much – I liked the (gift)” was a standard for years! Just like everything else, the sooner a habit is formed, the more natural it becomes.
For what it’s worth, when I got married the first time (I’m currently engaged), I got married on a Friday, and every thank you note was in the mail by Monday. Thank you, Mom!
My daughter recently had her First Communion. She received money in many cards. I have always been taught not to mention the monetary amount in the thank you notes, but rather say thank you for the very generous gift etc. Of course the note had other thoughtful messages and was signed by our daughter. It seems a bit over the top to say thank you for the fifty dollars or the one hundred dollars. I would appreciate your input. Thank you
You are correct in wording these notes, “Thank you for the generous gift.”
My question is: Can siblings whose birthday falls on the same day yet two years apart sign the same thank you card? Or would two cards need to be sent out for birthday and Christmas thank you’s? Both boys are turning 1 and 3 in December. Thanks.
An adult should write and sign one note on behalf of the children until the oldest child is capable of writing a sentence or two or his own. Eventually, they should each be writing their own notes.