Season of Thanks...

Thanksgiving is Thursday! And Christmas is soon to follow. As we enter the holiday season, please remember that though it is the season of gift-giving and receiving, it is also a time to be thankful for the friends and family you have to spend it with. And if they are giving you gifts, you should return them some appreciation. This may be in the form of a gift in return, but it absolutely should be with a heartfelt handwritten thank you. Do NOT email it. Not only is it inappropriate, it also shows a lack of proper appreciation for the gift as well as the time and effort the giver put into finding something they thought you would like. Now, you might ask, do I really need to send a thank you if I said it verbally? YES! would be the answer. 

It does not have to be a long thank you note, and the handwriting doesn't have to be perfect. You can make it a simple "Thank you for the beautiful cashmere scarf. I have the perfect coat to wear it with and can't wait to use it during the winter season." or "I love the engagement ring you picked out. It's perfect! And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you!" Something along those lines. If you need help, get a book. A couple good ones are: Writing Thank You Notes by Gabriella Goodwin & David Macfarlane; and Just Write: The Art of Personal Correcspondence by Molly O'Shaughnessy that is more about corresponding than specifically writing thank you notes.

If you need further advice on writing your thank you notes and reasons to do so, this is a great article that was published in the Wisconsin Bride Magazine in 2006. Though it is particular to weddings, the reasons and methods pertain to everyday life as well.

http://www.arizonabridemag.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=BA60C5CE13B040F6BE223E996CEC01C6&AudID=754D01AEB144436781F7C8338D9FE748

United States Postal Service

Watch CBS News Videos Online

I like Andy Rooney -- sometimes his features are quirky, but sometimes they're perceptive too.

I couldn't agree more with his insights about the United States Postal Service and sending letters. In reflecting on my own history, I can see how things have changed as I've grown older -- not that old mind you. I also remember when computers were becoming a mainstream piece of technology. It was a time when AOL was the preeminent player for getting online and you paid for it with minutes as you now do cell phones. I remember when I was a child and you wrote letters to keep in touch with people because it was too expensive to call long distance; now it's included in the phone plan. Yes it is easier to keep in touch with people than it once was, but as we rush to complete the tasks of the day, so do we in the communication with those we really care about and should take more time for. I know I'm guilty! And I'm trying to get better about it. I recently remarked to my mother as I was putting stamps on bills that I have not ever in my adult life (at least that I can recall) used up a full sheet of stamps. This was the first year I had done so by sending cards to friends and family (and now I'm out of stamps for those couple of bills I have to mail)!

It's important to take time to connect with those that are friends and family and for them to know that they're important to you, that you took time to think about what you wanted to say and about doing something special for them -- not just quick for you. I hope you'll join me in sending more letters to your friends and holiday greetings to those you need to reconnect with too!