Holiday Etiquette: Merry Christmas! Now it's time to write Thank You Notes

I don't think I've ever written a thank you for a Christmas gift. I've thanked the person. But I've never written a note. Is it better to write a thank you than, say, call them?

Thank-You Notes

Write thank-you notes as soon as possible, preferably within two or three days.  Try to acknowledge holiday gifts before New Year’s Day.

Tips:
-       The sooner you write it, the easier it is
-       Write the note as if you were speaking with the person
-       Keep it short and sweet
-       Personalize the note with the gift and giver
-       Focus on the positive and don’t mention any dissatisfaction with the gift

Is it necessary to write thank you notes to family members?

A thank you note is always appreciated, but a note isn’t needed if you’ve thanked someone in person for a gift—the most personal thanks of all. If you receive gifts from family members that you won’t see to thank in person, write them a thank you note, both to let them know their gift arrived and that you liked it. Remember that relatives from ‘the old school’ may still expect a written note even if thanks were given in person.

What about an e-mailed thank you note for holiday gifts?

While it may be all right if you and the giver e-mail each other frequently, it’s still no substitute for a handwritten note. Thanking the person the old-fashioned way will emphasize how much the gift means to you.