DEAR ABBY: Gift-giving season means a refresher in giving ‘thanks’

Contents of the article

Dear Abby: I think you once wrote that not being able to thank people for gifts is the number one complaint you get. Well, I understand why!

Contents of the article

Not only do my daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews not acknowledge gifts that require thought, time and effort, but they also do not acknowledge receipt when I mail them. My mom taught me to write thank you notes, and I taught my daughters to do the same, but you'll never know.

Contents of the article

Contents of the article

My daughters and nieces have not taught their children the value of gifts, and unless I personally give a gift to one of them, I don't know if it was received. Needless to say, I find this ungrateful and rude.

I'm thinking about putting stamped, self-addressed envelopes into this year's gifts as a general hint. I'm also considering not giving anything to the nieces and nephew I won't see for Christmas, and telling their parents why. This may guarantee that I'll be called fussy or unkind, but I'm so fed up that I almost don't care.

Contents of the article

Contents of the article

Is your post on how to write thank you notes available so I can include it too? — TIRED OF INGRACE

DEAR SICK: You are right. MANY people share your frustration about this. Your idea of ​​including stamped, self-addressed envelopes with your gifts is a good idea, and my booklet is still available. It's called How to write letters for all occasions.

Many people avoid writing thank you notes because they don't know how to put their thoughts on paper. They're afraid they'll say the wrong thing, or they think a thank-you note needs to be long and flowery when a short, to-the-point letter is more effective. Writing is a skill and needs to be practiced to make it easy. How to write letters contains sample thank you letters for birthday gifts, shower gifts, and wedding gifts, as well as those that come during the holidays. This also includes letters of congratulations and letters dealing with difficult topics, such as the loss of a loved one.

Contents of the article

The booklet can be ordered by sending your name and address and a check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby Letters Booklet, PO Box 446, Kings Mills, OH 45034-0446. Delivery and unloading are included in the price. With the holiday season quickly approaching, it's the perfect time to respond with a handwritten note or a well-written email.

Since letter formation is not always taught effectively in schools, my booklet can serve as a useful teaching tool – a valuable tool for parents to use in teaching their children to write while maintaining proper etiquette, and a handy guide for those who put off writing because they don't know what to say.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play video

Dear Abby: If I know that a 16-year-old is having sex with another 16-year-old, should I tell my parents? — WONDERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEAR INTERESTED: The age of consent in New Hampshire is 16 years old. Instead of telling parents, talk to teens to make sure they know everything they need to know about the responsibilities associated with sex to help them prevent unwanted pregnancy or STDs.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jean Phillips, and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips. Contact dear Abby at DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Contents of the article