Ah, yes, those thank you notes that Emily Post and The Love Letter Squad say you have to write but that are, too often, on the list of chores that make people glum, nervous and procrastination champs. And from the other side, how often have you sent a gift and wondered where your thank you note is? I’ll tell you where it is. It is on the list of I’ll-get-to-it-next-week. Is it on that list because it is a nasty chore? Mmmm-hmmm.. Now, how to go from nasty chore to real joy?

First, don’t think about you. Get ready to concentrate on how happy you are about to make someone else. A thank you love-note is not about you; it is about what someone did for you.

Good news. A simple short note will be perfect. And you don’t have to wonder how to start because you can just start with “Thank you.”

For example, how about something like, “Thank you so much for (whatever it is you got). That you did this means the world to me”. Sign your name, seal that hand-addressed stamped envelope and mail it. Done.

Emily Post says that all gifts should be acknowledged with a note, unless the goodies were opened in front of the giver-then you have the chance to thank them in person. She says that older people expect a hand-written note and that providing them with one is an appropriate gesture of respect and consideration.

This seems loopy to me. Why keep the respect and consideration just for the geezers?

♥

I have actually written a thank you note or two to young children whose parents are almost as grateful and thrilled as the children who got letters especially for them. Yes, a five year old will be proud as punch to get a thank you letter. And, you will be an angel for having sent it. That alone could change nasty chore to the joyous fulfillment of an important responsibility.

Mind over matter, really. First, know how good you will feel for having done something so gracious. A good thank you note is surely a love letter because it is lets you talk about the generosity of the gift-giver.

Here is what you have to decide. Is this gift something you love for its own sake? This makes the thank you easy. And, remember, stay aware of the joy you will be giving with this thank you note. Who doesn’t love seeing a handwritten envelope sitting on what is usually a rather dismal pile of mail?

You can talk about the color of the gift, the style, the texture, how you will use it and maybe mention, if true, that it will stay in your family for generations. If it is something you always wanted, say so. I have seen such creative gifts such as horseback riding lessons, cooking lessons, manicure / pedicure, jewelry design, movie passes, art tours, gift certificates for hair and makeup styling and the list goes on. If you never expected or conceived of such a gift, say so. Say whatever is the most appreciative truth, and know what a gift that is to the person who deserves your thanks.

Even if you have received a gift you cannot use there is some truth that is on your side, so why not use it? Aren’t you pleased that someone has put in, effort and time in selecting a gift for you? I would say just that. For example, “Thank you so much for the (whatever it is you received). I can see the effort you put into choosing this gift for us, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

What about a gift you will never use? Remember people give gifts in order to please. How nice it is to let them know they have succeeded in some way or other. Why not say something like, ” I never would have thought to choose this myself, and how imaginative of you to have selected it for us.” I think this will be good whether you loved the gift or not.

The real joy of writing a thank you note, and this is what will make the whole business joyful, is the realization that you are bringing a spot of light and happiness to someone who has done something for you. You can rest assured, as you slip this kind of love note into the mail slot, that within a day or two you will have brought a smile to someone’s face. And you will be seen as the elegant soul you are.

Now, don’t you feel better about this chore already? Uh-huh. I thought so.

With love in the air,

Janet