I'm trying to decide how to handle thank you cards for the kids gifts. They received gifts from family from all parts of the country, so I want the family members to know the gifts are appreciated. I considered taking pictures of the kids with each gift, and writing a quick "Thank you" on the back. Another idea was to write regular thank your notes, but to let the kids "write" on the blank part, to show they were involved. How do you handle writing the thank you notes for your children??

By Paulas on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 01:29 am:

We usually just call and say "thanks" over the phone.

By Bea on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 01:33 am:

If the kids are too young to print a very short thank you, write something for them, and let them illustrate it. Those are the ones I treasure. :o)

By Mia on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 02:19 am:

For a recent birthday party we did one of your ideas - took a photo with the gift and sent it along with a short note written by the birthday child (Thank you for the nice XYZ. I really like it.)

If your kids can't write yet then I think you need to include a little note with the pic or drawing - a couple of sentences at least, mentioning the gift by name (imho a quickly scrawled "Thank you" isn't appreciative enough, but in this day I know some people would be thrilled to receive ANY kind of thanks). Also, you know your family best and I bet a few of them would be more than content with a phone call from the kids or you.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 02:48 am:

Everyone would be content with a phone call, but I think it means something to send a note, especially since we see them so rarely. I had planned on writing a short personalized note either way, but couldn't decide what to do for notes. Bea, I think you're right, everyone would be thrilled to have some original "artwork" from the kids, so it may take a while to finish, but I'm going to do that. Thanks everyone!!

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 06:40 am:

I am always thrilled when I get a thankyou note - partly because they are so rare. And if you do with a photo, as you said, it becomes a wonderful addition to the giver's photo album. The original artwork is also nice, but either would be fine.

My lovely niece had a rule for her son - he could not use or play with the gift until he had written a thank you note. I think that's a very good rule for kids to learn the importance of thankyou notes.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 09:07 am:

We have that same rule. Needless to say, the kids have already written thank you cards for everything they received for Christmas.
When they were too young to write it, I had them draw a picture and I included it with the thank you note. I think thank you cards are important. If someone took the time to shop for you, wrap a gift and give it to you, than a written note of appreciation isn't too much to ask. Granted I am alone in my feelings as most of my family do not write thank yous. LOL

By Kate on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 09:21 am:

I wholeheartedly agree with thank you notes and my kids write them. However, I've always been opposed to the theory of not being allowed to use or play with the toy/gift until the note is written. Are you going to spend all Christmas or birthday day writing thank you notes and not getting to enjoy the gifts you received? I just don't get it.... To me it takes the joy out of the gift if you can't even play with it until you've written a note. To those of you who adhere to this practice, how does it truly work in reality? Do the presents get piled up under the tree and the kids write notes that very day just so they can play with them? Or are they allowed a 'brief trial' or something with the toy and then it is set aside for good until the note is written? Do your kids really write notes right on their birthday or Christmas? Truly curious as I've just never understood how one could pull this off without resentment or frustration. I insist on notes being written and sent within one week. Other than that they are free to play with or wear or read the gift immediately.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:07 am:

Well, since they receive Christmas gifts prior to Christmas they write them as they are received. On birthdays they open gifts but do not immediately play with them---since they have company to play with. Yes, they do NOT play with or use until the cards are written. It doesn't take that long.

By Angellew on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 12:05 pm:

I always write a thank you note and have DD "sign" herself! Of course, at 3 1/2, I use the term "sign" very loosely! But, I really like the idea of thank you notes, and when DD is older, would like her to keep it up! Sometimes I include a picture! I think it's a nice touch, but I don't think it necessarily has to be with that specific gift.

By Jackie on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 12:14 pm:

I do not make my kids write thank you notes. I do however, have my kids call the person to say thank you. That is how my mother did it with us. Although, we were still allowed to play with the gift prior.
My daughter and her friend exchanged Christmas gifts. Since they thanked each other in person, dont see a need for a thank you card or phone call.
I could not see making my children wait to write thank you notes before playing with gifts. I do believe in "Thank yous", but dont believe in making kids wait.
All our family is out of town, and normally send money for Christmas and birthdays. We usually send a thank you e-mail, since both kids love to type. With Faith, I usually do the phone call right away.
At birthday parties, the kids say thank you to their friends right to their faces, and dont find it necessary to write a thank you note on top of that. Now,if a gift is dropped off and a child cant stay, my children will call that child up and tell them thank you for the gift.No gift goes unthanked in this house, I just dont force them to sit down and write notes.
In the 12 yrs we have been here, and all the countless birthday parties we have gone to with the kids, we have received only one thank you card that came in the mail.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 04:29 pm:

You're right, Jackie. If the gift is given in person and a thank you expressed then, a note is not "required" (Emily Post or Miss Manners). It is really nice, however, and especially for older relatives.

By Conni on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 04:48 pm:

I think including a pic of the kids is a good idea!

By Annie2 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 07:53 pm:

I am very firm when it comes to thank you notes. Always have been. If the kids were too little to write letters, then they could color a picture, scribble, draw a picture, etc. Then I would write a few words of thanks. I try to take a picture of the kids with the gift or I send them another picture. Now I send out their school pictures with the thank yous.
When they got older where they could copy words letters and their names, around 4-6, then I bought the special thank you cards from the store where the child has to "fill in the blanks".
Now they write full thank yous without a hassle. It has to be done before they go back to school from the XMas break or one week past their bdays.
They know that the special person picked out a special gift for them and they have to say a special and proper thank you.