I friend who calls herself a compulsive fact-checker has risen to my ill-advised challenge and found six countries with postal services that do, in fact, appear to be better than the one in the U.S. Sigh. I have a master's degree in mass communications; I should know better. Thanks, friend, for keeping me honest!
We’ll, Anne, if I had your street address I’d write you a thank you note for writing this note about thank you notes. My mother pounded into me the necessity of writing such notes, and her message has stayed with me all these years (unlike other things like how to sew, how to cook, how to dress properly, etc.). There’s nothing like getting a note or letter in the mail. I have a friend I exchange post cards with every Wednesday, rain or shine, creative or not. Her handwriting is almost completely illegible and it’s like decoding the Rosetta Stone to figure out what she said. But I love it.
Anita, I LOVE this! Thanks for the chuckles throughout. You dress most excellently, and you selected all the right Mom-lessons to follow. Postcards on Wednesdays - terrific idea. As a fellow illegible writer (I can't even read my own writing), I applaud your willingness to give her an A for effort if not for readability. May I quote this in a future post?
I still love hand written notes and letters, too, Anne, though I have gotten worse through the years, at writing them. I treasure all the cards and letters from my mom, grandparents, summer camp acquaintances and German friends I have made through the years. I, too was raised knowing that a thank you note was the thing to do, but I admit, my grown daughters only do this for extraordinarily large or appreciated gifts, not for run of the mill holiday or birthday gifts. My youngest did send notes after her wedding, thank goodness. I myself, have turned more and more to the online thank you greetings and holiday wishes. It seems I have gotten busier as I have retired and wanted to be involved in more things. With a new teenager in the house and my own two grown daughters home for the holidays with dogs and one husband, I hardly got to Christmas cards at all. I think I sent 2 before Covid hit me and the holiday prep was upon me. I will try to do better this year!
Oh, how I hated writing thank you notes, there were adventures to be had in a realm of almost endless play. My sister and I wrote them anyway and were glad to be done. Later in life, I wrote fewer letters and neglected written replies in favor of a telephone call. The other day I read a letter that my aunt had written to my mom, it was beautiful. My aunt described what the weather was like, what she had done that day, and what she was looking forward to doing in the near future. Reading that letter shamed me a bit and in concert with your topic, I think I need to up my game. Thank you for Thank You Notes, Anne.
Mike, you don't NEED to do anything. You express thanks with your actions, which is the very best kind of Thank You a human being can offer. But I am glad that you have your aunt's window into the world she shared with your mom, and suspect that others who follow you would be delighted for the same opportunities.
Anne, In high school, I had a head mistress who dedicated a whole morning assembly to Thank You notes. "Must be in the mail within 24 hours." You can imagine how seldom that is the case for me. I love your suggestions. I've new, designed-by-me, single-page note cards and envelopes. I keep them at hand and love using them. Easier than the folded ones I make myself. THANKS!!!
Eloise aka Mimi, Alas, I envy visual artists who can make their own wares. (I don't think notebook paper covered with illegible writing would make for compelling displays over the living room sofa, do you?) Your recipients are lucky to receive double-dip presents from you, visual AND written art.
I am a hard-copy thank you noter as well. Glad for the company. I also have a drawer dedicated to random postcards, envelopes, blank and not blank cards so I can be at the ready. Forever stamps are also a must (even a few international ones). I read once that handwritten notes were a trademark of Jackie Kennedy. I am delighted to be one of her ilk and invite you to claim the same.
Much to my dismay and total surprise (sarcasm here), I was having problems receiving delivery of a product I had ordered from a national home improvement store. After weeks of repeated emails and calls, the item was finally delivered. Despite my lingering anger with the store, I gave the two delivery guys a thank you card with a small monetary gift for the holidays. It surprised them, and I think it brightened up their day.
I friend who calls herself a compulsive fact-checker has risen to my ill-advised challenge and found six countries with postal services that do, in fact, appear to be better than the one in the U.S. Sigh. I have a master's degree in mass communications; I should know better. Thanks, friend, for keeping me honest!
https://www.statista.com/chart/9877/the-worlds-best-postal-services/
We’ll, Anne, if I had your street address I’d write you a thank you note for writing this note about thank you notes. My mother pounded into me the necessity of writing such notes, and her message has stayed with me all these years (unlike other things like how to sew, how to cook, how to dress properly, etc.). There’s nothing like getting a note or letter in the mail. I have a friend I exchange post cards with every Wednesday, rain or shine, creative or not. Her handwriting is almost completely illegible and it’s like decoding the Rosetta Stone to figure out what she said. But I love it.
Anita, I LOVE this! Thanks for the chuckles throughout. You dress most excellently, and you selected all the right Mom-lessons to follow. Postcards on Wednesdays - terrific idea. As a fellow illegible writer (I can't even read my own writing), I applaud your willingness to give her an A for effort if not for readability. May I quote this in a future post?
I still love hand written notes and letters, too, Anne, though I have gotten worse through the years, at writing them. I treasure all the cards and letters from my mom, grandparents, summer camp acquaintances and German friends I have made through the years. I, too was raised knowing that a thank you note was the thing to do, but I admit, my grown daughters only do this for extraordinarily large or appreciated gifts, not for run of the mill holiday or birthday gifts. My youngest did send notes after her wedding, thank goodness. I myself, have turned more and more to the online thank you greetings and holiday wishes. It seems I have gotten busier as I have retired and wanted to be involved in more things. With a new teenager in the house and my own two grown daughters home for the holidays with dogs and one husband, I hardly got to Christmas cards at all. I think I sent 2 before Covid hit me and the holiday prep was upon me. I will try to do better this year!
Debbie, With your wide network of friends, it's understandable you've moved to digital! :-)
Oh, how I hated writing thank you notes, there were adventures to be had in a realm of almost endless play. My sister and I wrote them anyway and were glad to be done. Later in life, I wrote fewer letters and neglected written replies in favor of a telephone call. The other day I read a letter that my aunt had written to my mom, it was beautiful. My aunt described what the weather was like, what she had done that day, and what she was looking forward to doing in the near future. Reading that letter shamed me a bit and in concert with your topic, I think I need to up my game. Thank you for Thank You Notes, Anne.
Mike, you don't NEED to do anything. You express thanks with your actions, which is the very best kind of Thank You a human being can offer. But I am glad that you have your aunt's window into the world she shared with your mom, and suspect that others who follow you would be delighted for the same opportunities.
Anne, In high school, I had a head mistress who dedicated a whole morning assembly to Thank You notes. "Must be in the mail within 24 hours." You can imagine how seldom that is the case for me. I love your suggestions. I've new, designed-by-me, single-page note cards and envelopes. I keep them at hand and love using them. Easier than the folded ones I make myself. THANKS!!!
Eloise aka Mimi, Alas, I envy visual artists who can make their own wares. (I don't think notebook paper covered with illegible writing would make for compelling displays over the living room sofa, do you?) Your recipients are lucky to receive double-dip presents from you, visual AND written art.
I am a hard-copy thank you noter as well. Glad for the company. I also have a drawer dedicated to random postcards, envelopes, blank and not blank cards so I can be at the ready. Forever stamps are also a must (even a few international ones). I read once that handwritten notes were a trademark of Jackie Kennedy. I am delighted to be one of her ilk and invite you to claim the same.
Love this! (You are MUCH prettier than Jackie O, inside and out.)
Much to my dismay and total surprise (sarcasm here), I was having problems receiving delivery of a product I had ordered from a national home improvement store. After weeks of repeated emails and calls, the item was finally delivered. Despite my lingering anger with the store, I gave the two delivery guys a thank you card with a small monetary gift for the holidays. It surprised them, and I think it brightened up their day.
I LOVE this! A great way to fight fury with love. Thanks for the wisdom, Jodie.