The holidays are over. You find yourself checking the mail box every day in hopes of finding letters from your nearest and dearest. It’s been too long. You start fussing to everyone who will listen; not one of your children or grandchildren has written to thank you for the gifts.
After spending a lot of time and trouble selecting or making the perfect gift for each person on your list, you are undoubtedly feeling a little miffed. Did the gifts you mailed arrive safely, were they were loved, or did they end up in a pile labeled “to be regifted later.” You feel slighted by the lack of acknowledgement, and by the number of letters sent to advice columnists on the subject you are not alone.
Children and adults of all ages have allowed themselves to be “too busy” to acknowledge simple acts of kindness. As an older adult you may be wondering what to do. Should you ignore the behavior, brood over it, or retaliate. Columnist respond in various ways but my favorite one is the mild retaliation suggestion. Next time the occasion for a gift comes up you might just send a card. Write a nice little note explaining that the toy or money you would have spent on a gift for them is being donated to a charity, in their name of course. Somewhere out there is a child or homeless adult who will be tickled pink to get a warm blanket, a sweater that you made with your own hands, or a fluffy toy.
You are right; thank you notes are still important:
• They show good manners
• They make a lasting impression
• They reflect positively on the writer
The process is so very simple, and it takes hardly any time at all. Preface the note with the persons name, mention the item received and that you have been reading it, wearing it, or eating it ever since. Say something warm and fuzzy or entertaining about the occasion being celebrated. The verdict is still out whether or not e-mails or text- messages are appropriate, but I am sure you would agree that an electronic thank you is better than no thank you at all.
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