Are you dreading writing <a href="http://www.aisledash.com/2007/09/27/6-dos-for-thank-yous/">thank you</a> notes? You shouldn't! The key to thank you notes is to <em><strong>be prompt, sincere, and specific</strong></em>. What do I mean?

<strong>Be PROMPT:</strong> You <a href="http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/etiquette/postings/wedding_thankyous.htm">don't have a year</a> to send them out. You don't have to wait until after the wedding. You should send out the notes as quickly as you can- in fact, the sooner you write them the easier it will be for you. Why?

Because it allows you to <strong>be SINCERE:</strong> It is much easier to write of your sincere gratitude for your new blender if you write soon after the excitement of opening the present. Trust me, it is much harder to sound sincerely grateful once you realize you have no place to put the thing and it will have to be returned.

<strong>Being SPECIFIC</strong> is important because people want to know that you actually liked what they gave you. If someone gives you cash it is up to you to decide if you want to mention the specific amount - but do mention how you plan to use the money (for example: <em>Thank you for your generous gift of $250, we will use it to buy the gravy boat we need to complete our china set and will always think of you when we use it. We'd love to have you over for dinner next time you're in town so you can see it in action...</em>)

Another reason that being specific is important is that nowadays most people will order your gifts online and have them shipped directly to your home. While convenient, this is highly unsatisfying to the gift giver because they don't get to experience the joy of seeing you open the present. You don't want them to sit around wondering if you ever got it and whether you liked it or not. Don't put yourself in the awkward position of having someone call or write you to ask if you've received their gift - send those notes out ASAP!